Game 3 Preview: Browns at Raiders

Game 3 Preview
CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1, T-2nd, AFC NORTH) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (0-2, T-3, AFC WEST)

OVERVIEW: Rebounding from the toughest loss in a long time will be difficult for the Raiders. Thankfully, they face a team that has struggled mightily in recent years. This is a huge game for the Raiders as they then have a bye week before heading into back-to-back Conference games. With several key injuries plaguing the team, this game could go a long way toward establishing, or destroying, this team’s early chemistry.

QUARTERBACK: Just to be clear: Josh McCown has been wearing a protective boot at practice and he has a broken finger. Culpepper is completely healthy. McCown could not grip the ball properly last week, has accounted for 5 INTs and 5 fumbles through two games. McCown will be the starter. Hmm…okay. Cleveland was decimated through the air last week. Granted it was Carson Palmer doing the torching, but McCown (if healthy) can put up huge numbers. This could be a fun game for Raiders fans.
Josh McCown 16 completions, 25 attempts, 176 yards, 1.5 TD, 1.4 INT

RUNNING BACK: LaMont Jordan has put up fantastic numbers in the first two games of the season, but back problems have crept up again. Look for Jordan to be slowed and to be spelled by Justin Fargas more regularly. Adamchinobe Echemandu may also get some time in the backfield. Someone who must receive some scrutiny is also Justin Griffith, who has caught at least two passes out of the backfield in each of the first two games of the season. Cleveland has one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.
LaMont Jordan: 20 carries, 95 yards, .3 TD (30% chance of a score) as well as 2 grabs for 19 yards

RECEIVERS: Cleveland has allowed two 100 yard receivers and six different players to score TDs through two games. Look for the receivers to be open. It’s just a question of whether McCown has the control on his passes to make the plays. Porter was open deep twice last week, but McCown couldn’t hit him. That has to stop. While the Raiders may not put up massive yards through the air, look for at least one TD pass.
Ronald Curry: 4 receptions, 49 yards
Jerry Porter: 3 receptions, 43 yards
Zach Miller: 3 receptions, 21 yards

SPECIAL TEAMS: Janikowski went from hero back to zero as Denver’s well-timed Timeout erased a 50+ yard field goal. Janikowski has struggled mightily with placement, but his leg power is outrageous. He could have nailed a kick from 65 yards on both of his attempts at the final field goal and his last attempt would have gone through from 75, which is the most leg I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, Sea Bass is 1 for 5 on the season. While Higgins and Carr have struggled in the return game, Shane Lechler continues to dominate, averaging 49 yards per punt with no Touchbacks compared to pinning 4 of his 7 punts inside the opponents’ 20 yardline and 3 within the 10 yardline. Cleveland’s Joshua Cribbs is a dangerous return man who must be watched.

DEFENSE: The Raiders D continues to prove leaky, but much of that can be pinned on an ineffective offense from last week. While the D bent, yielding 441 yards, they refused to break, giving up 20 points in regulation. Two sacks and two INTs last week pushed the Raiders total to 4 and 4. It appears as if Derek Anderson proved that any NFL QB who isn’t pressured can light up opposing defenses. The Raiders must put him on the turf early to shake his confidence. If the Raiders can secure three turnovers, their odds of winning the game are incredibly high.
Defense: 1.75 INTs, 2.5 Sacks

PREDICTION: 13 wins in the past 66 games for the Raiders. This has to be rock bottom. At some point, things have to start clicking. The offense has shown life with two solid rushing performances and one dominant aerial attack. The defense needs just a little extra push, a bit more time off the field so they can be fresh for the attack. I love what I’ve seen from Oakland in these first two games and I’m prepared to write off Cleveland’s 51 point explosion as a best possible scenario. Raiders are going to begin reclaiming their home turf today with an exhilarating win.

Raiders 30
Browns 28