The Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns came into their week 4 matchup banged up. The Browns were missing two starting offensive linemen and five other players. The Raiders had the same amount of players out with an injury including stars Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby. Multiple new starters on the Raiders stepped up this week to make a gritty exciting game where they came out on top. Here are the top takeaways from week four’s big win.
Raiders Week Four Win Takeaways
Running Game Revived
The Raiders’ run game up until now has been subjected to the ire of fans for good reason. They were last in all major rushing statistics making it a lot harder to just win. This week however, Alexander Mattison led the way for the Raiders with three runs over ten yards for a total of five carries and 60 yards. Mattison may start getting more snaps seeing how Zamir White has yet to gain more than 50 yards in a game this season. White has also had a problem with ball security fumbling and losing the ball for a second time this season against the Browns which led to a score. White still had a long 17-yard run that helped his otherwise uninspiring day.
Running backs weren’t the only successful rushers of the football with Brock Bowers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, and Tyreik McCallister having run plays go for over 10 yards. Tucker and Turner both scored on end-around showcasing the success of the Raiders’ outside runs in this game. The success of the run game opened up play-action and took a lot of pressure off Gardner who had a lackluster game going 14 for 24 and 130 yards. Bowers and Tucker are taking over as playmakers who aren’t named Adams. Bowers isn’t just making plays with the ball in his hands, he is making key blocks like the one that led Turner to a rushing touchdown.
Last but not least, the offensive line played a big part in improving the run game this week. They weren’t perfect, but they are moving in the right direction based on the run game’s success. They also kept one of the most coveted defensive lines in football from completely recking the game. Two new rookie starters did their part contributing to their win. Overall, the offense did a great job without leaning on star receiver Davante Adams.
Young Raiders On Offense Step Up
On the offense Tucker, Bowers, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and DJ Glaze all did their part in helping the Raiders avoid being 1-3. Second-year receiver Tucker is coming into his own this season and making plays for first downs or touchdowns utilizing his speed. His end-around for a touchdown and five catches for 41 yards showcased what he does best. The rookie Bowers had an average game in terms of production but shined in his blocking. He helped lead Turner to a touchdown with a lucky two-for-one block. Bowers blocked well overall driving players downfield and being effective going head up with the likes of Myles Garrett.
Speaking of blocking, rookies Powers-Johnson and Glaze made their first starts on the offensive line. Both were in the top ten for rookie pass-blocking snaps to pressures allowed. Powers-Johnson allowed no pressures while Glaze only allowed one. They both played above average average supporting the run, but the tone Powers-Johnson set made the difference. He was playing so rough the referee had to tell Head Coach Antonio Pierce to tell him to be careful. Powers-Johnson was constantly hitting players within the rules and was the first to celebrate when a teammate made a big play. Pierce even jested after the game that Powers-Johnson and his aggression are exactly what they want to an extent. Thankfully, he kept it contained and only made things better with his aggression since Pierce wants his offensive line to be feared.
Young Raiders On Defense Step Up
On the defensive side of the ball Tyree Wilson, Isaiah Pola-Mao, and Charles Snowden significantly impacted the defense’s success in the absence of multiple starters. These second-year players stepped up in a big, especially Tyree Wilson who has been lackluster lately. Wilson finished the game with a team-high 82.7 Pro Football Focus grade and accounted for pressures on almost a quarter of his snaps. Fellow second-year player Charles Snowden had himself a game with a more prominent role this week. His hustle to close out the game and sack Deshaun Watson was a deserving highlight after a hard-fought win. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao had a great game as well. He set the tone in the secondary substituting for captain Marcus Epps. Pola-Mao is making his presence known with hard hits, pass breakups, and even a sack against the Browns.
It’s also worth mentioning that the former first-rounder, K’Lavon Chaisson, acquired from the Panthers this season had a great effort. Chaisson is also in his second year and was right behind Snowden on the last play of the game pressuring Watson. Chaisson had his fair share of pass pressures, strong plays, and even dropped into coverage. His ability to catch on to the defense quickly really paid off without Crosby out there.
At the end of the day, the energy that young players like Powers-Johnson and Pola-Mao brought to the game was infectious. They contributed heavily to this win over the Browns leading a band of young players that were next up this week when players got injured. These young players should get better with time and the more experience they gain over the season. Hopefully, they keep the momentum going especially with the run game while starters heal up.
Main Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
