The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off of a brutal loss to Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers and desperately need a win to get back on track. However, they’ll have to do it without some major contributors, as Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams are among those out when they take on the Cleveland Browns.
It was announced Friday that the team’s two biggest stars — Crosby and Adams — are out on Sunday due to hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively. But there are also other key contributors out, as Paul Gutierrez of ESPN breaks down:
#Raiders WR Davante Adams (hamstring) and DE Maxx Crosby (ankle) and TE Michael Mayer will all be OUT, says coach Antonio Pierce:
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) September 27, 2024
LB Divine Deablo and RT Thayer Munford will also be out…
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) September 27, 2024
This is a massive blow for a Raiders team coming off a frustrating and careless loss to Dalton and the Panthers. The Browns have one of the best offensive lines in football, and without Crosby, it might be extremely difficult to generate pressure against Deshaun Watson, who has not been particularly good this season.
Conversely, not having Adams or Michael Mayer puts extra pressure on Gardner Minshew and his pass-catchers. Rookie Brock Bowers would likely be the one to get the bulk of targets this week, while Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker carry a heavier-than-usual burden.
The Browns have not been fully healthy on either side of the ball this season, making them vulnerable in the early going. However, quarterback play has been among their downfalls, and the Raiders need to find a way to take advantage even without Crosby in the lineup.
Fully healthy, this is more than a winnable game for the Raiders. The Browns are also 1- 2 and coming off an ugly loss against the New York Giants. The Raiders are still amid an easier stretch of schedule, with matchups against the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers coming up in the next two weeks.
However, if the Raiders give the type of showing they did against the Panthers, it might be a long season ahead. Winning against the Browns could reset the Raiders and put them on a good path as they try to right the ship in their 2024 season.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
1:25 p.m. PT, Sunday, September 29, 2024
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: CBS
