Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns: 3 things to watch in Week 8

Can the Raiders stop the run?

The Cleveland Browns currently have the third best rushing attack in the NFL in terms of yards and have averaged about one rushing touchdown per game. They started the season with the best backfield duo in the league featuring Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt but that has become more of a solo show after Chubb was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury after Week 4.

Chubb was averaging an absurd 5.9 yards per carry and had two 100 yard games in the first three weeks against Cincinnati and Washington. Hunt picked up where Chubb left off as the lead back and has at least 70 yards rushing in 3 of his last 4 games. The rushing attack has slowed down considerably since Chubb’s injury but it is still a potent aspect of the Cleveland offense.

The Raiders on the other hand have the 15th ranked defense and have improved markedly since the humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Patriots. Las Vegas gave up 491 rushing yards in the first 3 weeks including 250 in New England but have given up just 228 in the last 3 games to some quality rushing attacks.

So despite the early season malaise for the Raiders, this may end up being a strength against strength on Sunday and could be the key to beating the Browns. If the Raider defense can slow down Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson and force Baker Mayfield to beat them, the turnover prone QB may just throw the game away if asked to do too much.

Mayfield has 7 interceptions already this season and is averaging more than one per game in his career so the Raiders will need to force him in to mistakes by stopping the run and putting the Browns offense in obvious passing situations. .