The Las Vegas Raiders are set to take on the Cleveland Browns for a Week 4 matchup at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, featuring two teams in desperate need of a bounce-back game. The Raiders notched an emotional, upset victory in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens before completely falling apart against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. The Raiders’ defense, was supposed to be the team’s biggest asset going into 2024, but they’ve been plagued with injuries early on in the season.
Now, Cleveland are also battling injury concerns of their own. Star edge rusher Myles Garrett continues to try and play through injuries in his feet. The Browns also will be without Wyatt Teller, who will miss quite a bit of time due to a knee injury. As both of these teams limp into Week 4 we’ll take a look at both teams and see who has the upper hand going into Sunday’s matchup.
Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback Situation Heading Into Week 4
The Las Vegas Raiders ended up benching quarterback Gardner Minshew this past week in their horrific 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Minshew threw for 214 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before he was pulled from the game for second-year Aidan O’Connell. Head coach Antonio Pierce was non-committal on not only Minshew but many others in his post-game press conference. Ian Rappoport from NFL Network has reported that the Raiders are not turning the page just yet on Minshew and he will start another week, this time against the Clevland Browns on Sunday.
Gardner Minshew will need to let it loose a little more to a very good receiving corps. Maxx Crosby will need to battle through his minor injury and challenge the defense to get after Deshaun Watson. This is a matchup between two struggling offenses taking very good defenses, there’s no strong argument to be made that the Raiders have the better quarterback than the Cleveland Browns right now. Cleveland has the better run game and more talent on the defense. This game will be low-scoring and most likely come down to the final possession, but I think the edge goes to the Las Vegas Raiders in this one.
A Look At The Stats Going Into Sunday’s Matchup Between These Two
Going into this game The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the all-time regular season series lead against the Cleveland Browns, 15-10 dating back all of the way back to 1970. The Raider’s record at home against the Browns is 8-7. The Raiders have won their last four games against the Browns, the last time being on December 20th, 2021 when the Raiders won 16-14, in Cleveland. Following Week 3, the Raiders offense ranks 21st in the NFL in total offense with 294.7 yards per game, they’re fourth in passing, 32nd in rushing, and tied for 17th in points.
On defense, the Raiders rank 30th in total defense, 23rd in passing, 29th in rushing, and 27th in points allowed. The best teams in the NFL are the teams that respond to adversity and tough situations with the same level of competitive fire as they would when they are winning. The Las Vegas Raiders and even the Cleveland Browns are looking to do just that this week.
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