Oakland Raiders Take Familiar Underdog Role Against Cleveland Browns

NFL News - December 21st, 2009 - Written by John

Cleveland return specialist Josh Cribbs set a NFL single-season record with his seventh and eighth kick off returns for a touchdown on Sunday against Kansas City. In doing so, Cribbs might have saved his head coach Eric Mangini's job. Rumors of Mike Holmgren coming to coach Cleveland have flooded the Brown's locker room, but against the Chiefs, the Browns played together and came away with a victory.

This week Cleveland matches up with the Oakland Raiders, a team similar to the Browns. Both have struggled all season at the quarterback position, both kissed the playoffs goodbye around week 11, and both are eager to turn the calender over to 2010.

The Raiders are trying to turn former number one overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell into the quarterback they believe he is capable of becoming.

Following an injury to steward quarterback Charlie Frye in the game against Denver on Sunday, Russell was sent into the game and showed signs of potential. He led a fourth quarter comeback, capping off a game-winning drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Chaz Schilens with :35 remaining in the game. The 20-19 win for the Raiders dealt a blow to the playoff hopes of the Broncos, but more importantly this performance could be the missing piece to turning Russell around.

A gifted athlete standing 6'6" who can make any throw asked of him, Russell is said to lack the leadership and awareness that it takes to play the quarterback position in the NFL.

On the other sideline Cleveland has their own quarterback tribulations. Currently, former Notre Dame QB and first round draft pick Brady Quinn is the starter, but the Browns have not had consistent play from him.

It took one record breaking performance in Cribbs, and another near record breaking 286-yard rushing performance by Browns running back Jerome Harrison to get the win over the Chiefs.

For the day, Quinn was 10 of 17 passing for 66 yards and a pair of interceptions.

The Browns were able to run right at the heart of the Chiefs defense and will look to do the same this Sunday against the Raiders defensive front. Establishing a running attack is critical for the Browns because they do not possess the passing game necessary to come from behind.

Despite Quinn failing to eclipse 100 yards passing in each of his last two performances, the Browns have managed to win each game. This can be attributed to the big plays made by Cribbs and the holes the offensive line is opening for the running game.

Oddsmakers are riding the recent momentum by Cleveland as they have installed the Browns as 3 1/2 point favorites to defeat the Raiders at home. They are expecting a low scoring affair, installing the over/under at 38 1/2 according to BetUS Sportsbook.

According to recent NFL betting trends, Oakland is 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the AFC. The total has gone the over in the last four games for the Raiders in the month of December.

Cleveland is 4-0 ATS in their last four following a ATS win. The Browns are also 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall.