Game Recap: Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders

The Cleveland Browns suffered a tough loss on Sunday, September 30 as they took on the Oakland Raiders at the Coliseum and lost in overtime, 45-42.

The Raiders kicked off the game with a three-play drive resulting in a punt. After the punt, the Browns fan got to witness the start of a new era with quarterback Baker Mayfield at the helm for the entire game.

The Browns first drive against the Raiders lasted just 59 seconds with the team only managing two yards on three plays.

However, on the Browns, next possession things started to intensify.

Mayfield took the snap and saw Antonio Callaway on the left side of the field. Mayfield squared his feet and threw the ball only for it to be intercepted by Raiders’ cornerback Gareon Conley to come away with the ball and return it 36-yards for a touchdown. The Raiders were leading 7-0 with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.

With the ball back and Mayfield experience a small decrease in confidence after the interception, the young quarterback knew exactly what to do.

Mayfield took control of the offense and helped them record a 15 play, 68-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard field goal.

Now the Browns were rolling on both sides of the ball. The defense made some key stops throughout the game and ultimately helped place the Raiders on the brink of field goal range. The Browns help the Raiders to a 4th and 2 situations in which McCrane was expected to convert on a 47-yard field goal but ultimately kicked it wide left.

On the Browns, next two possessions prior to halftime the offense successfully scored back-to-back touchdowns. The Browns found their run game early thanks to rookie Nick Chubb, who found a gap and turned on the burners in Oakland. Chubb busted his way through the end-zone on a 63-yard rush. With 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Mayfield connected with Darren Fells on a 49-yard pass resulting in a touchdown that put the Browns up 10.

At halftime, the Browns were leading 17-14.

Starting off the third quarter the Browns went on to make big plays on all sides of the ball. Mayfield led the Browns on an 11 play, 65-yard drive. Greg Joseph made a 28-yard field goal attempt. On the next drive, the defense made a big play and regained possession of the ball. Damarious Randall intercepted Derek Carr on a deep ball intended for Martavis Bryant.

The Interception helped pave way for yet another Browns touchdown after Mayfield connected with Jarvis Landry on a two-yard touchdown grab.

The Browns next five possessions resulted in a fumble, punt, punt, fumble, and punt before the team went on to scored back to back touchdowns.

The Raiders were up 28-34 before Mayfield connected on a deep 59-yard pass to Callaway before being pushed out of bounds at the one-yard line. The Browns were sitting on a second and goal situation when Carlos Hyde muscled his way into the end-zone.

The fourth quarter was quite interesting for both teams. Cleveland jumped on the board with a little over five minutes left to increase their lead 42-34. Nick Chubb barreled his way through the defense and found himself running 41-yards into the end zone.

The Raiders got an extra opportunity to walk away with their first win of the season because of a late interception from defensive back Reggie Nelson. Mayfield intended to connect with Antonio Callaway but ultimately saw those chances fade away with Nelson came away with it.

In overtime, both the Raiders and Browns failed to score on their first possessions. The Raiders missed a 50-yard field goal wide left but the Browns managed just five yards on their next possession.

Oakland marched down the field on an 11 play, 70-yard drive. The Raiders were set up at the Cleveland 11 and faced a 3rd and seven situation. Gruden elected to kick a field goal and end the game. McCrane successfully made a 29-yard attempt.

Robert Wykowski is a Cleveland Browns writer for Full Press Coverage. So follow him on twitter @WykowskiRobert