The Cleveland Browns won their first game in nearly two years last week. Now they look to string together consecutive wins for the first time in nearly four years. It won’t be easy as they travel across the country to face an Oakland Raiders squad that is desperate to get its first win of the year. The Raiders opened as 3-point favorites, with the total set at 44.5.
- The Browns are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games against Oakland.
- The Raiders are 7-21 ATS in their last 28 home games against teams with losing records.
- The UNDER has hit in 9 of Oakland’s last 10 games (avg. combined score: 39.7).
Cleveland vs Oakland Game Center
WHY MY PICK FOR SUNDAY IS THE BROWNS AT +3
Cleveland has gotten off to a 3-0 ATS record to start the year, whereas the Raiders are 1-2 ATS, but beyond that, the Browns simply pass the eye test.
The Browns defense is really good. Ask the Steelers, whom they forced six turnovers against, or the Saints, who topped 40 points in their two other contests this year but only had 21 against Cleveland. Or ask the Jets, who managed just three points and three turnovers in the second half of a 21-17 loss. They can rush the passer, they have talent in the secondary and they force a lot of turnovers.
Oakland, on the other hand, continues to find ways to lose. The Raiders have held the lead at halftime in all three games so far, but have been outscored 64-17 in the second half this season, with three of QB Derek Carr’s five interceptions coming in fourth-quarter action.
The Raiders have lost seven straight games overall, and are struggling for answers in how to right the ship. Cleveland is coming in on the high of its first win in 635 days, rejuvenated by the debut of Baker Mayfield, and all signs seems to be trending up. Look for the Browns to not just cover, but come away with consecutive wins for the first time since November 2014.
BAKER TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED
Yes, it came as a result of a Tyrod Taylor injury, but first overall pick Baker Mayfield finally made his NFL debut last week, and Browns fans everywhere are really excited.
Mayfield came in with Cleveland down 14-3, and helped rally the Browns back to a 21-17 victory. Mayfield went 17-for-23 with 201 yards, powering the offense in the second half, and caught a key two-point conversion attempt. Cleveland’s offense had struggled the first two weeks with Taylor under center, and he was 4-for-14 with 19 yards before he got injured. The fan base was already asking for Mayfield, but Taylor’s concussion forced coach Hue Jackson’s hand.
The biggest difference noticed with Mayfield was how well he was throwing the ball. Taylor has struggled this year with accuracy, most notably some really bad underthrows to open downfield receivers. When Baker came in, he had an extra level of zip on his tosses. He looked confident and in control, and with some talented weapons, including Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, David Njoku, Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde, look for the Browns offense to take the next step going forward.
IT JUST DOESN’T ADD UP
- Marshawn Lynch has a rushing touchdown every game: check.
- Oakland has had a 100-yard receiver every game: check.
- The Raiders led at halftime every game: check.
A checklist like that would make you think that Oakland has a level of consistency that would befit a first-place team — they’re also fourth in the NFL in offensive yards — but unfortunately there’s a fourth part of that checklist: Oakland has a second-half meltdown every game.
For all the yards the Raiders have gained, they still have the fifth-fewest points in the league. For as hard as they compete, and for all the great starts they get off to, they keep forgetting it’s a 60-minute game, not 30 minutes. By adding all these positive pieces together, it still equates to a team that has lost seven straight games.
The Raiders need to find a little more consistency, and find it quick. They are an interesting team to watch, but if they don’t get their act together soon, 2018 will quickly become a lost season.
