LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders used a strong defense as well as a balanced running game to hold off a late rally to beat the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sunday. Cleveland drove to the Raiders 9-yard line, but Deshaun Watson was sacked by Charles Snowden with 41 seconds left to seal the victory. The Raiders held on for the win despite star wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and premier pass rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) missing the game because of injuries.
And the defense held the Browns to 241 total yards. Alexander Mattison rushed for 60 yards for the Raiders, who totaled 152 on the ground and five different players had runs for at least 10 yards, the highest number since 2010 against the Seahawks. The Raiders also became the first team since the Jets in 2010 against the Bengals to have two receivers score rushing touchdowns.
Las Vegas hadn't rushed for more than 55 yards in a game this season until Sunday. Gardner Minshew was only 14 for 24 for 130 yards. He was sacked twice by reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Watson completed all eight passes in leading the Browns to a touchdown drive to open the game that lasted 9:22, but finished 24 for 32 for 176 yards. He entered the game having been sacked a league-high 16 times and played behind an offensive line missing four starters much of the game and was taken down three times by the Raiders. The loss was a major setback for the Browns (1-3).
Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to get.