LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Raiders entered their matchup against the Browns with the NFL's worst running game and without star players Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams. Plus, Las Vegas was coming off a loss to the previously winless Panthers that drew the ire of coach Antonio Pierce. But the Raiders found a balanced running attack and overcame a Cleveland rally to win 20-16 on Sunday.
“Yeah, a lot of adversity this week, there's no doubt about it,” Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew said. “I was happy to see how we responded. Coming in Friday's practice, we kind of turned the corner and the overall mood of the team changed and everybody was feeling really it again.
” Cleveland drove to the Raiders 9-yard line with the chance to walk out with the victory, but Charles Snowden sacked Deshaun Watson on fourth down with 35 seconds left. The Raiders (2-2) found enough offense without star wide receiver Adams (hamstring) and held the Browns to 241 yards without Crosby (ankle). “We all had to take a step up,” Snowden said.
“I have to thank Maxx. He was engaged all week coaching us up, being a very present figure.” Alexander Mattison rushed for 60 yards for the Raiders, who totaled 152 on the ground and had five players with runs of at least 10 yards, their most since 2010 against the Seahawks.
The Raiders got rushing touchdowns from receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, becoming the first team since the Jets in 2010 to get two TD runs from wideouts. Las Vegas hadn't rushed for.