Cleveland Browns Grades: Letdowns costly in loss to Oakland Raiders

The Cleveland Browns lost another heartbreaker, this time to the Oakland Raiders. Here’s how our Voice of the fan graded the game, quarter by quarter.

The Cleveland Browns’ Week 4 matchup had a lot of twists and turns, as 87 points was scored between the Browns and the Raiders during Cleveland’s 45-42 loss.

Our Voice of the Fan, Ric McElroy graded the contest, giving marks for each quarter.

Here’s how the Browns did through his eyes:

First quarter

Even though Oakland’s first score came on a pass interception of a tipped ball, the defense wasn’t at its best.

The defensive line did a nice job of putting pressure on David Carr and held their own against the run.

Defense Grade: B

The offense had had some miscues and the penalty bug struck again. They continually shot themselves in the foot even after getting 1st and Goal inside the Raider 5-yard-line.

They put up 3 points though and kept themselves in the game.

Offense Grade: C

Second quarter

The Second quarter starts with a Oakland missed field goal, and the offense gets rolling.
On the ensuing series for the Browns, Nick Chub breaks off a 63- yard touchdown run, however they miss the 2-point conversion.

Mayfield rebounded, throwing a touchdown pass to Darren Fells and this time, Cleveland converts the 2-point conversion.

Two touchdowns in a quarter? Yes Please.

Offense Grade: B-

The defense started missing assignments, foreshadowing things to come later in the game,  allowing Oakland to drive the field and score.

The Browns add to their takeaway stats with an interception as time runs out in the half up, 17-14.

Defense Grade: B-

Third quarter

The Browns score a field goal and touchdown plus a 2-point conversion.

But disaster loomed,  as Mayfield was stripped and the Raiders recovered and scored another touchdown.

Offense grade: C

The defense is having a terrible time stopping Marshawn Lynch. He’s running over and through the defense regardless of who attempts to tackle him. It’s dropped to a C for both sides of the ball.

Defense grade: C

Fourth quarter

Yes, that exchange between J.C. Tretter and Baker Mayfield gave the Raiders the ball in the red zone and the further showed an offense in destruct mode.

Mayfield hit it big on that pass to Antonio Callaway and Nick Chubb’s run appeared to seal the deal..until it didn’t.

The Browns did enough offensively to win this game in the final period, and it still wasn’t enough.

Offense Grade: B+

I’m wondering why the coverage by the defensive backfield seems to be always in zone and not some man? The Browns were really missing Terrance Mitchell.

The Oakland receivers are open more often than they should as the score and it’s 31-28 Raiders.

Poor tackling on punt coverage cost the Browns field position. The defense forces a field goal. This is a growth game for the Browns. They are mostly young and still learning!

Defense Grade D+

Overtime

The offense did little in their one possession as Baker’s magic, at least for this game ran out.

Offense grade: F

The Raiders went 3 and out too, but made good on their second drive. The defense was on the field for 90 plays. They didn’t have one more takeaway up their sleeve.

Defense Grade: F

Oakland and Cleveland each have three and out. But the Raiders drive and kick a field goal to win it.

Overall grades:

The Browns scored 42 points, but the offense stalled enough in the second half for the Raiders to crawl back into the game.

Baker lost his first career start, but that IT factor was still there.

Offense Grade: C+

The defense had two more takeaways, and really had no chance to stop two scoring drives that were started in the 20 as a result of the Browns turning the ball over.

The secondary really took a hit when Terrance Mitchell broke his arm. This could be a devastating loss for the Cleveland, because E.J. Gaines and T.J. Carrie were flat out overmatched by Amari Cooper.

Defense grade: C+