No question the Raiders vs Browns on Monday was not pretty. It wasn’t really expected to be, based mostly on the fact that the Browns were missing 19 players to the reserve/COVID-19 list including starting QB Baker Mayfield and backup QB Case Keenum.
But also due to how the Raiders have played of late. It made this game against a bunch of practice squad guys no gimme. And that’s just how it played out.
Neither team managed to get out of the teens in the game. The Raiders started out 10-0, then the Browns came back to take the lead 14-13 with the Raiders defense holding strong late to give the Raiders offense another chance and they were able to move into scoring range to win it 16-14.
Ballers
SS Johnathan Abram
Abram was laying some serious wood in this game. He made the first tackle of the game. Then a few plays later, he flew into the backfield to blow up a run play at the handoff for a seven-yard loss, leading to a punt.
Abram made tackles on each of the next two Browns’ possession, including the tackle on third down to force a third straight punt to open the game.
Just as he began the first quarter, he opened the third quarter with a tackle. It was another run stuff for a loss, leading to another three-and-out and a fourth punt. In the end, Abram would lead the Raiders with nine combined tackles (six solo) and two tackles for loss. Despite leaving the game midway through the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
That shoulder injury, as it turns out, will end his season. So, he went out strong at least.
RB Josh Jacobs
The Raiders had four first downs on their second scoring drive and Jacobs picked up three of them. The drive made it as far as the six-yard-line with Jacobs running for 24 yards on five carries. But despite his success, the Raiders abandoned the run at first and goal and thus the drive stopped there.
Their next scoring drive also heavily featured Jacobs. He ran five more times for 22 yards and picked up one first down. But once again, the drive stalled on two incompletions, leading to another field goal.
Jacobs would add a nine-yard catch on the Raiders’ game-winning drive at the end to finish with 18 touches (15 rushes) for 94 yards (52 rushing).
DT Johnathan Hankins, LB KJ Wright, LB Divine Deablo
The game ended with off a drive by the offense, but the play of the game came on defense. With 2:31 remaining and the Raiders out of timeouts, the Browns lined up in third and three for the game. They get the first down and they run out the clock. The defense holds, and the Raiders get another shot.
The defense held.
Nick Chubb came around the right side and was met by Hankins with Deablo and Wright on the assist.
Hankins was filling gaps all day, Wright finished second on the team in tackles (8), and the rookie Deablo proved reliable as well in his second start.
K Daniel Carlson
Carlson was three-for-three in the game, including the game-winner from 48 yards out as time expired. In fact, he hit that 48-yarder twice because the Browns called a timeout to ice him. He hit the second attempt more accurate than the first.