This game will be the true test of Mike Pettine in his farewell season as Browns head coach. Jimmy Haslam has proven to Cleveland fans that he demands short term perfection even if success in the NFL requires long term commitment. Pettine knows he is on the spot right now, fighting for his job but I don't see Cleveland being healthy enough, talented enough and experienced enough to make this the season that the Browns pull off a worst to first type of transformation.
Derek Carr is a rookie QB but he has shown signs that he is ready to emerge. Furthermore against the Brown's break but don't bend defense, Carr has the type of arm that can break big plays. The Browns D is banged up, Carr just might be ready for a big game in what looks to be unseasonably good weather Sunday in Cleveland.
Last week the Jaguars gave the NFL a blueprint on how to control the Browns zone blocking scheme. The Raiders run a 4-3 which is the perfect formation to counter zone blocking. Defensive linemen need to penetrate, stay in their lanes and let linebackers do their job.
Once you defang the Browns run game, Brian Hoyer transforms into just another average QB. The Raiders have struggled against big armed QB's this season but against Tom Brady, who Brian Hoyer is often compared to, the Raiders had a very respectable showing, holding Brady and the Pats to 16 points. With Hoyer forced into obvious passing situations, the Raiders can pin their ears back and pressure him into incompletions and costly mistakes.
On offense, Derek Carr has shown, in the words of Mike Pettine, that he can make all the passes. The Browns and their 12 defensive backs will have their hands full, especially if the Raiders are able to run the ball early. I'm going with a season deflating upset.
BL Predicts:
Raiders 28
Browns 17
The BL are 3-3 year to date predicting Browns games.
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