By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
It was a raw, windy and wet day in Cleveland, a perfect weather convergence for old-time football. And the Las Vegas Raiders used a rejuvenated running attack, good old-fashion ball control and an improved defense to defeat the Browns, 16-6.
“We went back in time to an old school attack,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said after the game. “We’ll take any win we can get.”
The Raiders now own wins against the perennial playoff contender New Orleans Saints, defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) and Cleveland Browns (previously 5-2). The Raiders improved to 4-3. The Browns fell to 5-3.
Josh Jacobs ran for 128 yards on 31 carries, as the Raiders chewed up clock amid windy conditions just a week after running out of gas back at climate-controlled Allegiant Stadium and losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 45-20.
The Raiders travel to LA for a division game against the Chargers next Sunday.
After the game, Gruden gave credit to the offensive line and an improved defense. Cleveland was limited to only two field goals.
“Start playing more consistently (on defense). We still have a long way to go. We did make a lot strides today,” Gruden said after the game.