The Cleveland Browns lost to the Oakland Raiders by a final score of 27-20 in a game they were dominated in for more than half the game before attempting to stage a last-second comeback. Back to back wins may seem like a small accomplishment but, it’s something Dennis Allen could not get done.
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It is impossible to measure statistically how much offensive line coach Andy Moeller, whom the Browns suspended a week before the season started, is missed.
The Browns marched down to the Raiders’ 29 before Neiron Ball sacked Josh McCown, the team’s fifth sack of the day.
Browns quarterback Josh McCown had survived a slow start, chants for Johnny Manziel and boos from the hometown crowd and several big shots delivered by defensive end Khalil Mack to bring the Browns within striking distance.
“This is a new group of guys”, Carr said. “But all in all, I thought it was a really good effort”. The duo combined for 54 yards on Oakland’s opening series and Carr connected with Cooper on a 40-yard pass to set up the Raiders’ first TD. It was my preference that the Browns just play Johnny Manziel after he helped lead the team to victory over the Tennessee Titans. Woodson dislocated his shoulder in Week 1, though he made his way onto the field in Week 2 and is expected to play on Sunday. A promising first drive stalled and they settled for a 23-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal. They didn’t win a single road game last season. “You weigh everything. You look at the game plan”.
We have to play better on all phases, Pettine said. “I asked him to do that for us, and I think we saw results in the first half….”
“We have to play better in all phases”, Pettine said.
Carrie said he hadn’t played safety since his days at De Le Salle High but was happy with how it went, and both he and Del Rio left open the possibility of switching up again in the future.
Benjamin made a major impact last week and he ended up winning special teams player of the week for the AFC after returning a punt 78-yards for a touchdown. With Cleveland having a solid secondary it also might not be a bad idea for us to look to get our tight end(s) more involved in the passing game. Cooper has 20 catches for 290 yards in three games. Later on third-and-11 at the Raiders’ 39, Browns cornerback Pierre Desir broke up Carr’s deep pass to Crabtree near Cleveland’s 30, forcing Oakland to punt. We’ve got to take advantage of every opportunity. Playing the early game in the East will continue to put any West Coast team at a disadvantage, but the streak will no longer hang over them.
Still, as much as the Raiders want to consider this to be a defining victory in the Jack Del Rio era, Balls won’t go there. One play later, Woodson put the game away with his interception as he raced over to cut off a pass to Benjamin, who was otherwise uncovered heading toward the end zone. He returned and said he will undergo an MRI on Monday. Right at the start of the fourth quarter, Murray punched it in from 6 yards out, putting the Raiders up 27-10.
Everyone will want to blame McCown for the loss, of course, because many fans came into the game looking to boo McCown rather than cheer for the Browns.
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Travis Benjamin scored Cleveland’s second touchdown in the dying minutes, but Oakland held on to move to 2-1 in the AFC West, behind the unbeaten Denver Broncos.
