Week 4 Game Recap: Cleveland Browns 24, Oakland Raiders 21

What you need to know

Cleveland Browns

The Browns struggled out of the gate, and fell behind 14-0 and then 21-3 in the second quarter before rallying all the way back on three touchdown passes from Charlie Frye. Frye completed 22 of 32 passes for 192 yards in the comeback, though nearly threw a costly interception trying to extend a late lead for the second game in a row. Though he didn’t find the end zone, Braylon Edwards led Browns’ receivers with six catches for 75 yards.

Tight end Kellen Winslow had a quiet first half, but responded with a big catch on a fourth down early in the third quarter that changed the momentum within the game, and followed it up with a touchdown catch two plays later. Winslow finished with 31 yards receiving on three receptions. The return of Joe Jurevicius gave Frye another big option, whom he successfully targeted in the end zone, allowing Jurevicius to catch three passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Dennis Northcutt played a reduced role in the passing game with two catches for ten yards. Reuben Droughns added two catches out of the backfield in the fourth quarter for 24 yards.

For the first time this season, the Browns were able to establish some type of rushing attack, allowing Reuben Droughns to reach the 100 yard mark on twenty five carries in his return from injury. On the negative side, Droughns was charged with a fumble on the first drive that was returned for a touchdown, though it was a questionable call. The Raiders’ defense contained Frye most of the game, and kept him from compiling any rushing yardage. Officially Frye finished with negative two yards on five attempts

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders established the running game early, gaining 156 yards on the ground in the first half, in which LaMont Jordan topped the 100 yard mark in large part due to a 59 yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Jordan finished the day with 128 yards on twenty carries. Justin Fargas spelled Jordan early in the game, including a 48 yard scamper en route to 54 yards on three carries. Andrew Walter picked up twelve yards on the ground in this game.

The Raiders accumulated just 68 yards through the air, and Andrew Walter did little to stake any claim as the starting quarterback when Aaron Brooks returns, as he was unable to carry out the game plan. Early in the game, the Raiders tried to go deep on a consistent basis to Randy Moss, but failed on each attempt, though it wasn’t clear that Moss was giving full effort on each of those plays. Despite leading the team with eight targets, Moss finished with only one official reception, though it came on a five yard fade into the end zone where he was able to use his size to come down with the touchdown. Alvis Whitted and Ronald Curry were used primarily underneath, though Walter wasn’t able to establish any type of successful rapport with either receiver. Whitted caught just one ball for seven yards, while Curry had three receptions for 27 yards. Neither Courtney Anderson or Randal Williams had a great deal of success either, as both finished with one catch for eight yards.

What you ought to know

QB Charlie Frye, Pass: 22 - 32 - 192 - 3 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 5 - -2 - 0

Frye finished with an 89.6 passer rating by completing 69% of his passes for an average of six yards per passing attempt in bringing his team back from a 21-3 deficit. Frye shows a charismatic leadership ability which the team has rallied around, though he clearly must learn to keep some of this enthusiasm in check, as his desire to make a big play cost him dearly in Week 3 and nearly cost the Browns a win in week four when he threw an interception in the end zone with the lead late in the fourth quarter when he tried lofting one up in the area of Joe Jurevicius and Kellen Winslow.

RB Reuben Droughns, Rush: 25 - 100 - 0, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (2 targets)

In reaching the century mark, Droughns topped the output of the primary back over the first three games of the season and gave the Browns a more balanced attack to help develop the passing game. Droughns didn’t break any long runs, but in averaging four yards per carry helped move the chains. He didn’t show any ill effects from the shoulder injury he battled this week.

WR Braylon Edwards, Rec: 6 - 75 - 0 (9 targets)

Edwards was the primary option of Frye early in the game, and the Browns continued to utilize him on deep routes in hopes of stretching the defense. After back to back games with over 100 yards, Edwards failed to reach the mark, but did lead the team in receiving.

WR Joe Jurevicius, Rec: 3 - 22 - 1 (5 targets)

Jurevicius provided Frye with another big target and was looked at frequently in the red zone, including on the interception late in the game.

WR Dennis Northcutt, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (4 targets)

Northcutt opened the game as the second receiver in the starting lineup, but didn’t make a significant contribution in the passing game. Northcutt’s biggest contribution came in the punt return game, where a key 58 yard return led to the go ahead touchdown at the end of the third quarter.

TE Kellen Winslow Jr, Rec: 3 - 31 - 1 (5 targets)

Especially in the first half, Winslow was less involved in this game as he found himself consistently having to stay at the line to block, including on the Dinkins’ touchdown. Winslow did however change the momentum of this game with a key fourth down catch and subsequent touchdown in the third quarter.

TE Darnell Dinkins, Rec: 1 - 3 - 1 (1 targets)

Dinkins made a three yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

PK Phil Dawson 1 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Dawson connected from 28 yards but missed wide right on a 48 yard attempt on back to back drives in the second quarter.

CLE Rush Defense

The rush defense was ripped apart for 194 yards, including lengthy runs of 48 and 59 yards, marking the fourth straight week where the Browns have struggled against the run.

CLE Pass Defense

Despite the absence of Gary Baxter, and an injury to Leigh Bodden during the game, the Browns held the Raiders to just 68 yards through the air, including just one catch by Randy Moss. The pass rush netted four sacks and helped to lead to one interception by Sean Jones.

QB Andrew Walter, Pass: 9 - 23 - 68 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 12 - 0

Averaging less than three yards per passing attempt with a completion rate under 40 percent, Walter’s passer rating was just 43.6. The game plan called for a heavy dose of deep passes to Randy Moss, and failing to connect on any early, Walter never got into sync in the passing game. Aaron Brooks was initially reported out for two to four weeks, so it is unclear how long Andrew Walter will remain as the starting quarterback.

RB LaMont Jordan, Rush: 20 - 128 - 1, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

Jordan averaged 6.4 yards per carry including a 59 yard touchdown run, though he was clearly affected in the passing game with Andrew Walter, where he was only targeted twice. It is somewhat surprising that Jordan was not utilized more in the second half given the success of the rushing game and problems in the passing game, as 102 of his rushing yards came in the first half.

WR Ronald Curry, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (4 targets)

Curry caught 75% of the balls thrown his way, though his most exciting play was in attempting a deep pass to Randal Williams in the fourth quarter as the Raiders were attempting to respond to the Browns’ go ahead touchdown.

WR Randy Moss, Rec: 1 - 5 - 1 (8 targets)

Early in the game, Moss seemed to quit early on a deep pass down the sideline where it appeared that had he kept going at full speed, he would have had a very good chance at making the catch. Moss was only able to successfully convert 12.5% of his targets, though he did have an eleven yard reception called back on a holding penalty. Moss was utilized well on a fade in the red zone on his touchdown reception, though it is unclear what his role in this passing attack will be moving forward.

WR Alvis Whitted, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (5 targets)

Whitted drew the start as he has for every game this season, however contributed very little in this game.

TE Courtney Anderson, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Anderson was targeted twice in the first quarter, though was the target on Walter’s interception.

TE Randal Williams, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (4 targets)

Williams provides a unique option in this offense, but caught just one pass.

PK Sebastian Janikowski 0 - 0 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 3 points

Janikowski connected on all three extra point attempts, but did attempt any field goals in this game.

OAK Rush Defense

The Raiders gave up 104 yards on the ground, but did capitalize on a controversial fumble by Reuben Droughns to score a defensive touchdown.

OAK Pass Defense

Oakland maintained a steady pass rush on the Browns and forced two interceptions and came up with two sacks, but gave up three touchdowns through the air on 192 yards passing. The pressure was heaviest early in the game, but could not hold the Browns from coming back from a 21-3 deficit.