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Cleveland Browns: 3 keys to victory against Las Vegas Raiders

By Sam Penix

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11), left, celebrates a go-ahead touchdown catch with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during the fourth quarter of a Week 7 NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cleveland Browns won 37-34.Cincinnati Bengals At Cleveland Browns Oct 25
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11), left, celebrates a go-ahead touchdown catch with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during the fourth quarter of a Week 7 NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cleveland Browns won 37-34.Cincinnati Bengals At Cleveland Browns Oct 25 /
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. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Stop Josh Jacobs

A first-round pick last year, Josh Jacobs is the engine of the Raiders offense. His sophomore campaign has not gone quite as smoothly as his rookie year, but he’s still one of the better backs in the NFL. He is extremely difficult to bring down, as evidenced by the 24 tackles he’s avoided in 2020, per Pro Football Focus.

Statistically, the Browns have done a pretty good job of defending the run this season, ranking fifth in yards allowed and sixth in yards per carry. However, those numbers can be a bit misleading, as teams either haven’t been able to run the ball because they’ve been losing to Cleveland, or they’ve just chosen to throw against the Browns atrocious pass coverage.

When teams (such as the Pittsburgh Steelers) have actually made a concerted effort to run the ball, it’s worked fairly well. James Conner rumbled for over 100 yards in a game where all the Steelers wanted to do was run out the clock and go home.

If the Browns can’t get out to an early lead, they’ll need to devote plenty of effort to making sure Jacobs doesn’t get going. However, that doesn’t mean they can fully commit to stopping the run, as Las Vegas’s potent passing attack is beginning to heat up.

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