An Autumn Tradition: Browns vs. Raiders

People love autumn for its traditions. Children return to school, leaves change color, pumpkin spice resumes its quest for world domination. Oh, and the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders play football. Despite 2,462 miles separating them, these clubs have squared off nine times since the Browns returned in 1999; the Browns lead that stretch 6-3. How is this possible? The NFL schedule dictates that every year each team plays two conference mates who finished in the same position in their respective divisions. A prolonged stretch of mediocrity for both teams means the cellar-dwelling Browns and Raiders are more than a little familiar. With that in mind, let’s take a look at Sunday’s matchup.

Familiar Faces

Cornerback T.J. Carrie – Ohio University. A four year player in Athens, T.J. Carrie joined the Raiders before the 2014 season. In two starts this season, Carrie has recorded ten tackles, a defended pass, and forced fumble. Carrie also handles punt return duties for Oakland, where his speed can prove dangerous for defenders.

Last Win: Week 8, 2014. Browns 23 – Raiders 13

The first half resembled a kicking contest more than a battle of competent football teams. The Browns and Raiders exchanged field goals until host Cleveland pulled ahead 9-6 at intermission. Early in the fourth period, quarterback Brian Hoyer found Andrew Hawkins for a separating score. With less than three minutes to go, Ben Tate salted away the “W” with a five-yard touchdown run. Oakland quarterback Derek Carr recorded a meaningless touchdown to Andre Holmes pass, but overall the game was a solid victory for a Cleveland team that was feeling the momentum at 4-3.

Last Loss: Week 6, 2011. Browns 17 @ Raiders 24

The Browns’ most recent loss to the Raiders came in large part due to poor special teams play. After the Browns leveled the ledger at seven-all, Phil Dawson kicked off to Oakland’s Jacoby Ford, who returned the ball 101 yards for a score and a lead that the home team would not relinquish. In the third quarter, the crafty Raiders called a fake punt allowing punter Shane Lechler to throw a 35-yard touchdown to a wide open Kevin Boss. Colt McCoy later found Mohamed Massaquoi for a garbage time touchdown bringing the final to a slightly more respectable 24-17.

Carr & Cooper

After opening the season with a loss to Cincinnati and victory over Baltimore, the Silver and Black will play their third consecutive AFC North opponent on Sunday. Oakland’s primary offensive weapon is quarterback Derek Carr. This season, the Fresno State product has completed 37-of-58 passes for 412 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick.

Browns defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil described Carr as “Very confident, he’s got a very strong arm…He’s doing a great job reading the defenses, getting the ball out – got a quick release. It’s a good group, it is. It’s going to be a challenge for us.” Despite his potential, Carr is 0-8 on the road in his career, including last year’s defeat in Cleveland.

So far the star receiver for Oakland is rookie wideout Amari Cooper. The Alabama alum and Heisman finalist has 14 receptions through two weeks for 156 yards and a touchdown. O’Neil understands the threat Cooper poses — “He doesn’t look like a rookie,” O’Neil said. Browns cornerback Joe Haden will likely have Cooper as an assignment and the DB should have his hands full all afternoon.

As the QB Carousel Turns…

The big story from Berea this week came in the form of quarterback news. Head coach Mike Pettine announced that Josh McCown cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will start on Sunday against Oakland. Browns fans remain divided about who should start. Some feel that McCown deserves a real chance and should not lose his job over an injury. Others, such as WFNY’s own Craig Lyndall, believe Johnny Manziel should get the chance to prove what he is made of.

At 36 years old, Josh McCown does not appear to be the long-sought franchise quarterback for whom Browns fans yearn. Manziel remains a puzzle and if he flames out this season then the Browns’ front office can (once again) look into drafting a quarterback in 2016. Personally, I was pleased to see what McCown did with one drive against the Jets and want to know if that was a mirage or tease of what is to come. However, if he does struggle, expect a vocal crowd to let Pettine know whom they prefer.

Yours in the Struggle

Misery loves company. Since winning the AFC in 2002, the Oakland Raiders have failed to reach the playoffs. The Browns share the same 13-year postseason drought. Both teams’ fans have endured a seemingly endless string of regime changes, new players, and disappointment. Here is a side-by-side look:

In summary, since 2003 the Browns won 63 games, fielded 19 quarterbacks, and employed six head coaches. Over that same stretch, Oakland won 56 games, utilized 18 quarterbacks, and hired seven head coaches. The Browns, Raiders, and Bills should play each other every year and battle for a “We’re not the worst!” trophy a la college football.

With so many subplots at play on Sunday, one can lose sight of the game itself. Last week, Cleveland won at home and punctuated the victory with the sort of game-breaking play that has long eluded the Orange and Brown. The club holds momentum we all hope carries into the next game. The crowd can be a factor as well; deafening noise forced rookie Marcus Mariota to call unplanned timeouts at the line of scrimmage in Week 2. Derek Carr is no rookie, but that same intensity can wreak havoc for a young quarterback. If the defense can create similar disruption on the field, Browns fans will be able to enjoy the rarest of Cleveland traditions – a Browns home winning streak.