Bucky's Breakdown: Observations from the Raiders' Week 4 win

Oct 01, 2024 at 02:45 PM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

Bucky Brooks breaks down the Raiders' performance in a 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.

BIG IMPRESSION

The Raiders earned their second win of the season behind an old-school recipe relying on their defense and running game to control the contest. With five players posting runs of at least 10 yards, the Raiders totaled 152 yards on the ground. The resurgent running game alleviated the pressure on Gardner Minshew to shoulder the burden of carrying the offense as a playmaker. As the defense put a vise grip around the Browns' Deshaun Watson-led offense, the Raiders' conservative gameplan helped the team win without two of its top stars (Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams) in the lineup.

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KEYS TO VICTORY

The defense and running game controlled the action against Cleveland. The Raiders punished the Browns on the ground with 150-plus rushing yards and a pair of scores on wide receiver runs (DJ Turner and Tre Tucker). With the ground-based attack milking the clock and limiting the defense's exposure, Robert Spillane and Co. imposed their will on an overmatched Browns offensive line that could not keep Watson upright in the pocket. The former Pro Bowler only mustered 176 pass yards on a unit that put up just ten offensive points, so the Raiders' plan worked to perfection in Week 4.

MINSHEW MANIA

The veteran's stat line will not "wow" casual observers, but his managerial skills against the Browns helped the Raiders earn win No. 2. Minshew effectively controlled the game at the line with "check with me" calls and identification checks that enabled the Raiders to get into their best runs against the Browns' aggressive front. In addition, the journeyman protected the ball with conservative throws that produced key first downs and extended drives that eventually resulted in scores. While the fantasy footballers likely hated Minshew's effort, the veteran deserves high marks for effectively managing a ground-and-pound gameplan that helped secure another win for the Silver and Black.

UNSUNG HERO

Robert Spillane put up a fantastic performance to spark a solid defensive effort from a defense that needed to bounce back from a disappointing showing in Week 3. The veteran notched 12 total stops and a tackle for loss in a workmanlike performance that inspired his teammates. Spillane's sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability and punishing tackling power showed up whenever the Raiders needed a play to get off the field.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

The Raiders' throwback performance is precisely what Pierce wanted to see from a unit that struggled with running before Week 4. The offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, while the Raiders' running back by committee approach wore down the Browns' listless defense. With the receivers getting in on the action on reverses and end-arounds to complement their strong blocking on the perimeter, the Silver and Black bullied an AFC opponent in a way that likely made the former Pro Bowl linebacker smile.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham got the bounce-back performance he hoped for against the Browns. The Raiders were gap-sound against the run and well-coordinated in coverage to stymie an offense that jumped out to a 7-0 lead. After making a few adjustments, the Raiders contained Deshaun Watson and Co., holding the Browns to three offensive points for the final three quarters as part of a strong effort that keyed the team's second win.

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Las Vegas Raiders Hispanic Heritage Month signage around Allegiant Stadium before the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns.