The Browns traveled out to Las Vegas for their second road game of the 2024 season to face the Raiders in Week 4.
As Cleveland looks to get back in the win column against a Raiders team who received some injury news on Friday – with WR Davante Adams, DE Maxx Crosby and TE Michael Mayer all announced as out – the team will have to address certain areas on both sides of the ball to find success.
Here are three burning questions heading into Week 4.
Can the Browns establish the run game?
While the Browns have struggled to establish the run game consistently through the first three weeks of the season – as they are averaging 95.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 24th in the NFL – they have an opportunity to allow the run game to flourish in Week 4.
The Raiders run defense has given up over 100 rushing yards in all three of their games this season, averaging 152.7 rushing yards allowed – which ranks 29th in the NFL. They've given up a total of 458 rushing yards on 85 carries.
In Week 2 against the Jaguars, the Browns established the run at the beginning of the game with RB D'Onta Foreman and RB Jerome Ford. Foreman finished the game with 14 carries for 42 rushing yards, while Ford totaled seven carries for 64 yards. QB Deshaun Watson also scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
In Week 3, Ford led the running backs with 37 rushing yards on 10 carries, but the Browns only totaled 69 net rushing yards against the Giants.
"We want to score points any which way we can; run, pass," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We've had some success in the RPO game where it goes down as a throw, but we kind of see it as an extension of the run game, too. So, anything that moves the football down the field, gets us in the end zone, we're looking forward to doing with our team. Obviously, in the run game and the pass game we need to be more efficient in both areas, and ultimately, that's where explosives tend to come, when you're staying efficient in those areas."
Check out photos as the team travels to Las Vegas for a game against the Raiders
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Travel to Las Vegas on September 27, 2024.
Can the Browns defense limit the Raiders in the pass game?
Through the first three weeks of the regular season, the Raiders have found success in the pass game. They are averaging 244.7 passing yards per game, which is fourth most in the NFL this season.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said QB Gardner Minshew can make plays with his feet and can buy time on passes.
"Generally, ball's coming out either really fast or he's holding it a long time. We have to take advantage of the opportunities when he gives us chances," Schwartz said. "Holding down the explosives, keeping him from moving the sticks with his feet on third down and buying time on first and second down to make big plays down the field. All that goes into consideration. He's one of those guys, he can get hot, and we have to keep him from getting hot."
Minshew also has a number of different threats in the passing game, even after Adams was ruled out for Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. Two of the main targets behind Adamas are WR Jakobi Myers and rookie TE Brock Bowers, with Meyers totaling 14 receptions for 152 yards and one touchdown, and Bowers with 18 receptions for 197 receiving yards through the first three games.
"There's a reason they drafted him in the first round," Schwartz said. "He's fast, he's a good route runner, he's a willing blocker. Again, all over the place. Use him as wide receiver, use him in the backfield, use him as a tight end. Competitive blocker. Certainly not afraid to go in there. So, tight ends, wide receivers, good playmakers there, good challenges for us. I like our safety group, like our corner group. So, we're going to have good matchups."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Las Vegas Raiders at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
The linebackers during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Fullback/Center Nick Harris (53) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez (60) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez (60) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive tackle Ricky Lee III (63) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Defensive end Elerson Smith (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez (60) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Linebacker Michael Barrett (48) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive tackle Ricky Lee III (63) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Running back Gary Brightwell (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Running back Gary Brightwell (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Defensive end Elerson Smith (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 26, 2024.
What will the Browns offensive line look like?
The Browns continue to deal with injuries on their offensive line, as RG Wyatt Teller was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 25, and both LT Jedrick Wills Jr. and RT Jack Conklin were ruled out for Week 4 on Sept. 27. Both James Hudson III and Dawand Jones were limited participants throughout the week of the practice, they both did not have a game status heading into Week 4.
However, as the Browns work through injuries and having to shuffle players around, LG Joel Bitonio said one of the most important elements as they work through who will line up for the offensive line is focusing on their assignments and alignment. Those will play a factor in their ability to successfully protect the quarterback.
"You stay in front of the guy and then when it comes to blocking, it's back to fundamentals," Bitonio said. "We're back in the focus of making sure everybody's on the same page, and we know that we can't let Deshaun (Watson) get hit that many times, it's not sustainable. It's not great for our offense, our defense, for our team, and it is a group thing. But for the lineman that's your job is to protect. So, we have to be better."
