To an outsider, the Las Vegas Raiders’ 16-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns may seem like the greatest defensive battle in the franchise’s recent history. Yes, Baker Mayfield struggled to complete 12 passes for 122 yards on 25 attempts. However, due to 40+ mile per hour winds, one cannot completely credit Paul Guenther’s defensive scheming. Not to mention, that the Raiders failed against the Buccaneers last week.
Surprise
The positive takeaway from the game comes from the team’s run defense. Although an excessive amount of running plays could have been expected, the Raiders slowed Kareem Hunt and the Browns rushing attack. Hunt rushed 14 times for 66 yards, with a game-high 18-yard rush, boosting his average. While allowing an average of four yards per attempt is right on par for Las Vegas, Hunt earned those yards.
Serendipity
On the pass prevention side of the defense, the Browns may have stopped themselves more than the Raiders did. Mayfield’s accuracy struggled, mostly due to wind, but still had some incredibly questionable throws, while Jarvis Landry and David Njoku looked more like defenders for the Raiders, batting down and dropping an impressive amount of passes thrown their way, including a beautiful touchdown pass to Landry and a crucial third-down can of corn that fell out of Njoku’s hands. But, Lamarcus Joyner came through huge as well, leaping to break up a guaranteed touchdown pass to Landry late in the game in addition to a bonecrushing hit on Landry, again robbing him of a touchdown.
Heart of the Defense
Johnathan Abram also deserves a hearty bowl of respect for flying to the ball carrier at potentially literal breakneck speed. Abram not only brings the effort and intensity the Raiders need, but the rest of the defense catches fire with him. If Abram is buzzing, the defense is buzzing.
Drawback
Once again, the Raiders at times showed a haunting inability to tackle, or even lay a hand on the ballcarrier. Many Browns players were able to extend plays far beyond initial contact. I know teams are supposed to be keeping their distance. Someone must tell the defense that does not apply during games.
Lack of Discipline
In the first half, the Raiders also were drawn offsides by Mayfield’s hard counts which, due to the lack of fans, were heard incredibly clearly. If this had been the first week of the season, a couple of encroachments could be excused but in the team’s seventh game of the year, it looked incredibly amateur.
Bright Outlook
A weather-controlled win over the formerly 5-2 Browns is nothing to look past. For some, the game was not as impressive as it may seem. The Raiders have a lot of work to do on defense. While the offense hums, the defense attempts to fight through scratched disks. Las Vegas developed Super Bowl dreams at the start of the season. However, if Guenther cannot smooth things out, a Wild Card Weekend exit appears to be the ceiling for the Raiders. Vegas needs to duplicate strong defense performance more consistently. It can’t be a surprise when they shut someone down, needs to be a regular occurrence.
Well Mr. Grant Richards you’ve hit the proverbial nail on the head, however as I do agree with your assessment on defense I hardly think that the offense “hums” ! They showed some improvement, but I still don’t think Carr is the quarterback to lead this team to a super bowl victory! He finally flashed some signs of getting better with some of his scrambling from scrimmage against the browns but he’s still inconsistent throwing and or spotting open receivers and how about a damn bootleg once in a while on short yardage situations instead of getting stuffed on consecutive plays trying for the 1st down or a touchdown!!! It was extremely evident 2 weeks ago against Tampa that we should have been making a huge play for Brady last off season instead of holding onto Carr and hoping for the best. Brady is hands down the best quarterback to ever suit up and though we here in the Raider Nation despise him for the tuck rule game that part of our history would’ve take a back seat to him playing for the Dark Side in the Death Star! When he was pictured laughing it up with Mark Davis this past off-season Davis should not only have offered him the moon, but the universe and a blank check!!!! As was mentioned during the embarrassing debacle that I won’t even refer to as a game because it was a devastation and showed that as we are and you pointed out we’ll be an early wildcard exit if we are lucky enough to make it that far!! Back to the defense before I contemplate whether to send Davis a letter begging him to re-think his Mike Mayock hire as most of the reaches have not panned out, like Clelin Ferrell , the bowdin debacle and with Tanner Muse gone for the year Vontaze Burfect should be back in a Raider uniform today and should have been in one already since his BS (that hit was perfectly legal)suspension was cleared up!!! That’s all I gotta say bout dat!!! God Bless Al Davis, God Bless The Las Vegas(Oakland) Raiders and God Bless The Raider Nation!!!!