The Browns fell to 1-3 after losing 20-16 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
QB Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense had a shot to take the lead late in the fourth quarter after driving to the Las Vegas 16-yard line, but Watson was sacked on fourth down.
Watson finished with 176 passing yards and a touchdown, which came on the opening drive of the game. His lone interception came on a deep ball intended for WR Amari Cooper, who couldn't complete the catch.
The Browns defense struggled throughout the game to contain a Vegas rushing attack that, before Sunday, had yet to record over 75 rushing yards in a game. While the defense stepped up in the fourth quarter to give the offense a chance to win the game, penalties, mistakes and sacks prevented Cleveland from leaving Las Vegas with a victory.
Check out photos of the Browns against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda and Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) and Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) and Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Fullback/Center Nick Harris (53) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Allegiant Stadium during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders on September 29, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.
Key moments
Offensive success wanes after fast start
The offense was near-perfect on the opening drive, as Watson completed all eight passing attempts before the Browns found the end zone. Seven different Browns caught a pass on the opening drive as the offense took over nine minutes off the clock before finding the end zone.
Key penalties and mistakes began to pile up for the Browns offense, which struggled to move the ball after building a 10-0 lead.
Watson's first interception of the day came in the second half. The quarterback had Cooper open and made an on-target throw that bounced off Cooper's chest and into the hands of Raiders S Tre'von Moehrig.
On the following drive, Watson was sacked twice in three plays as the Browns were again forced to punt.
The offense looked like it had come alive in the fourth quarter after Watson escaped the pocket and threw on the run to a streaking Cooper, who ran 82 yards untouched to the end zone.
However, C Nick Harris was called for holding, which negated the positive play. The Browns punted for the fourth time of the game three plays later.
The offense overcame their second half issues on their final drive of the game but couldn't finish in the red zone. RB Jerome Ford ran 35 yards to the Las Vegas 16-yard line to set the Browns up with a chance to take back the lead, but Watson was sacked on fourth down to effectively end the game.
Running defense challenged by Raiders
Missed tackles were an issue for the Browns run defense, as the Raiders totaled 153 rushing yards.
By halftime, the Raiders had already rushed for 95 yards, 24 more than their previous single-game high in Week 1 against the Chargers.
The Raiders totaled seven runs of 10 or more yards on Sunday, including a 24-yard run from RB Alexander Mattison, who broke multiple tackles to set up a field goal in the first half.
The missed tackles continued in the second half. In the third quarter, Mattison was met at the line of scrimmage on third-and-9, but broke tackles on his way to a 16-yard gain that led to a touchdown, which was also a long run, on the following play.
Defense stands up in the fourth quarter
After allowing a field goal and a touchdown on the first two drives of the second half, the Browns defense turned things around in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders were facing third-and-1 after building a 20-10 lead and the Browns were in desperate need of a stop as the fourth quarter began.
DE Isaiah McGuire popped the ball out of RB Zamir White's hands and, after a scramble for the ball, S Rodney McLeod Jr. scooped it up and ran it back 25 yards for a touchdown. K Dustin Hopkins missed the point after attempt to make it a four-point game early in the fourth quarter.
On the following drive, the Raiders again faced third-and-short and ran a play action pass. The Browns defensive line swarmed around Minshew and DE Myles Garrett brought him down for his second sack of the game.
Pressure from Garrett on the following drive forced another punt for the Raiders, their third consecutive punt after the fumble recovery touchdown.
Key stats and facts
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had his 12th consecutive game with six or more total tackles, dating back to last season
- Myles Garrett passed DeMarcus Ware the third-most sacks by a player in their first 103 games with 92.5
- Rodney McLeod Jr.'s fumble return touchdown was his third fumble return touchdown of his 13-year career
- Blake Whiteheart, who is in his second official season in the NFL, scored his first career touchdown in the first quarter
Game highlights
A full compilation of the Browns' highlights against the Raiders can be found here.
Whiteheart scored his first touchdown as a pro in the first quarter on a 1-yard pass from Watson.
Myles Garrett doubled his season sack total with two on Sunday.
Rodney McLeod Jr.'s fourth quarter fumble recovery provided the Browns' first points since their second drive of the game.
Scoring plays
5:38 1Q | CLE 7 LVR 0 | Deshaun Watson pass short left to Blake Whiteheart for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
0:35 1Q | CLE 10 LVR 0 | Dustin Hopkins 56-yard field goal is GOOD.
9:50 2Q | CLE 10 LVR 7 | Tre Tucker run left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2:52 2Q | CLE 10 LVR 10 | Daniel Carlson 52-yard field goal is GOOD.
11:31 3Q | CLE 10 LVR 13 | Daniel Carlson 34-yard field goal is GOOD.
5:23 3Q | CLE 10 LVR 20 | DJ Turner run left end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14:50 4Q | CLE 16 LVR 20 | Rodney McLeod recovers fumble, returns 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Extra point attempt is NO GOOD.
What it means
The Browns fall to 1-3 on the season, tied with the Bengals for the worst record in the AFC North. The Steelers are in first with a 3-1 record and the Ravens, who play the Buffalo Bills Sunday night, are currently second with a 1-2 record.
What's next?
The Browns will continue their three-game road trip, traveling next week to Washington to take on the Commanders at 1 p.m. The Commanders are 3-1 after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 42-14 on Sunday.
