Raiders 20-16 Browns (September 29, 2024) Game Recap

LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Raiders used strong defense and a balanced running game to stave off a late surge and beat the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sunday.

Cleveland drove to the Raiders’ 9-yard line, but Deshaun Watson was sacked by Charles Snowden with 41 seconds left to seal the win.

The Raiders held on for the win despite star wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and premier pass rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) being sidelined with injuries. And the defense held the Browns to 241 total yards.

Alexander Mattison ran for 60 yards for the Raiders, who had 152 total yards on the ground and had five different players rush for at least 10 yards, their most since 2010 against the Seahawks. The Raiders also became the first team since the Jets in 2010 against the Bengals to have two receivers score rushing touchdowns.

Las Vegas had not rushed for more than 55 yards in a game this season until Sunday.

Gardner Minshew was just 14 for 24 for 130 yards. He was sacked twice by reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

Watson completed all eight passes and led the Browns on a touchdown drive to open the game that lasted 9:22 but finished 24 for 32 for 176 yards.

He came into the game having been sacked 16 times, the most in the league, and playing behind an offensive line without four starters for most of the game, he was defeated three times by the Raiders.

The loss was a major setback for the Browns (1-3). Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to get into the playoffs, the Browns are now finding those chances dwindling. Only 42 teams since the 1970 merger have made it to the postseason after a 1-3 start.

Not only was Las Vegas (2-2) rebounding from a 36-22 loss to the Panthers the week before, but the Raiders also found themselves in a 10-0 hole against the Browns in the first quarter.

But then the Raiders scored the next 20 points and appeared to take control before Zamir White’s fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter was countered by safety Rodney McLeod for a 25-yard TD. However, Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point, leaving the Browns behind 20-16.

Cleveland appeared to take the lead with an 82-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Amari Cooper, but backup center Nick Harris was called for fending off Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and the Browns ended up having to punt.

The Browns had their final drive in the last minute and were forced to go for the touchdown instead of the field goal due to Hopkins’ missed PAT, but Watson was unable to attempt a pass.

Injuries

Browns: C Ethan Pocic (ankle) went to the locker room in the first quarter, returned in the third and then left again. …. Cleveland entered the game knowing it would be without a significant portion of its offensive line – RG Wyatt Teller (knee) and OTs Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and Jack Conklin (hamstring). … LB Jordan Hicks (elbow) left in the second quarter. … TE David Njoku (ankle) did not play.

Raiders: DE Maxx Crosby (ankle) missed his first career game and WR Davante Adams (hamstring) also did not play. … LB Divine Deablo (oblique), Munford (knee/ankle), CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) and TE Michael Mayer also did not play. … Return specialist Tyreik McAllister (shoulder) was injured in the fourth quarter.

Next

Browns: At the Washington Commanders on Sunday. It’s the second part of a three-game road trip.

Raiders: At the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl