On Sunday September 29th ,2024, at 4:25 PM eastern time, the 1-2 Cleveland Browns are traveling to Las Vegas Nevada to play the 1-2 Las Vegas Raiders for their week 4 matchup. Both teams are coming off disappointing week 3 losses. The Raiders lost at home to the Carolina Panthers 36-22 last week. The Cleveland Browns in the previous week lost at home to the New York Giants 21-15. Both teams in this game are looking to get back on a winning track. And both teams are having injury issues.

It was reported this week that Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller will miss multiple weeks due to a knee injury. Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year defensive end Myles Garrett is day to day with pain in both of his feet. Garrett did get an MRI on Monday.  The Raiders lost their starting safety Marcus Epps for the year with a torn ACL.  And their star pass rusher defensive end Maxx Crosby has a high ankle sprain.  Both Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby will probably play in this game. With both teams involved working through injuries. History of these teams playing each other has not been good for the Cleveland Browns.

Many older Browns fans remember the infamous 1981 divisional playoff game loss to the then Oakland Raiders. That was one of the coldest games in NFL history. And the Raiders found a way to win that game. The Raiders lead the all-time series 17-10 over the Browns. And that includes 2 playoff games.  The last time the Browns beat the Raiders was in 2014 in Cleveland. There is some history that could be favorable for Browns fans. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has 22-8 record following a loss. Also he is 15-2 when the Browns don’t turn over the ball.

For the Browns the game plan seems simple, don’t commit turnovers, and play complimentary football. Of course, saying it and doing it are two different things. Going 2-2 is a lot better for your season outlook than 1-3. To quote the late owner of the Raiders Al Davis “Just Win Baby” and to quote Nike “Just Do It”.