5 reasons Cleveland Browns will upset the Oakland Raiders

Raiders lack of a pass rush

If the Cleveland Browns offensive line has done one thing really well this season, it’s pass block, and Mayfield should have plenty of time to unload the ball.

The Raiders, to the puzzlement of many, dealt All-Pro end Khalil Mack, setting the franchise up for the future after its moved to Las Vegas.

As for Sunday though, Mayfield should feast from a clean pocket, if his debut taught us anything.

Against the Jets in Week 3, Mayfield posted a quarterback rating of 101.8 while in a clean pocket, according to Pro Football Focus. When the Jets didn’t even bother mixing in a blitz, his rating jumped to 107.5.

It’s remarkable, because the secondary gets a little more hectic with more bodies flying around with an extra player in it.

A good way to force a rookie quarterback into mistakes is by bringing different blitz packages, but the Raiders just haven’t shown an ability to bring quarterbacks down, with just 5.0 sacks through the first three weeks.

Compare that to the Browns, who have 14.0 sacks.

Pro Football Focus gave Oakland a 57.4 pass rushing grade as a team, which is average. For example, the Browns graded out at 64.8, which is considered good.

You don’t need to be a football savant to realize that a rookie quarterback is going to play better if he doesn’t have to constantly worry about being brought down. Combine that, with Baker’s already excellent pocket presence, and the Raiders lack of a pass rush will give life to Browns’ offense.