Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15
Running Game
The Winter weather in Cleveland is brutal. A combination of heavy winds and piercing cold temperatures are customary, and this truly affects the play of both teams having to face this daunting task.
This game according to reports is going to be not only frigid but a high chance of rain. The Raiders came into Cleveland just a season ago in horrid conditions and pulled out a victory, but it was not due to the passing game.
Quarterback Derek Carr only threw a little over 100 yards in the 16-6 victory a season ago. The key to the game was the running game, which this season has been non-existent.
The offensive line has been a key issue for the Raiders and has not provided the necessary holes for the running game to ever truly gain traction. Also starting back Josh Jacobs has not played very well this season when called upon, even if much of that has to do with him being consistently banged up.
Last season Jacobs shredded the Browns for 129 yards on 31 carries, he indeed carried the Raiders to victory. The game-plan should not be much different in this one honestly.
Although the third-year back has not even rushed for 100 yards once this season, the Raiders must find ways to get him the ball as passing will be a tough obstacle in such harsh conditions.
If Jacobs can get going and turn around his disappointing season, just maybe the Raiders can pull out a victory here. If he replicates the numbers of what he has shown so far this season, this could go down as yet another Raiders loss.