Raiders vs. Browns Predictions

The Raiders are home this week for the first time since the passing of owner Al Davis to face the Cleveland Browns in what looks to be another emotional game for the Raider franchise. The Browns come in off a bye while the Raiders are coming off one of the most memorable games in franchise history, defeating the Texans on the road 25-20. The Raiders will look to continue that momentum with three games in a row at home. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Browns Defense

The Raiders come in with the second leading rushing attack in the league with over 160 yards/game on the ground. They will look to rely heavily on the league's leading rusher in McFadden. The Browns' strength on defense is against the pass. This looks to be a favorable matchup for the Raiders who will run first against a Browns team that is giving up over 120 yards/game on the ground and play-action for deep balls over the top with speed all throughout the receiving corps.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders Defense vs. Browns Offense

This matchup will dictate a lot on how the game is going to go. If the Raiders can find a way to stop someone, the Browns will struggle mightily in the Black Hole as they are mainly one-dimensional, looking to run first with Peyton Hillis. The Browns will be starting second-year QB Colt McCoy, who has not looked too bad through the first four games. It will be a different story in Oakland as he looks to face a sold-out, emotional crowd in the Bay Area. The Browns have only won two games against winless teams in the Dolphins and the Colts. The Raiders on defense will look to get a spark from newly acquired Aaron Curry, a former high first-round draft pick in 2009 who lost his way up in Seattle.

Advantage: Browns

Special Teams

The Browns possess one of the great return men in the game in Joshua Cribbs. Seabass will look to negate his kickoff returns by getting touchbacks and Lechler will look to angle his kicks toward the sidelines, giving him limited space to work with. The Raiders are still trying to find their explosiveness on returns as Jacoby Ford still works his way back into form and Denarius Moore showed some life on punt returns last week against Houston.

Advantage: Raiders



Prediction: Raiders 28, Browns 17