NFL Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders: 6 Keys To Victory Over Cleveland Browns

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By @Kevin_Saito

6 Things Oakland Raiders Must Do to Beat the Cleveland Browns

Open Slide
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In a season as lost as the Oakland Raiders' is quickly becoming, it's easy to lose hope. While 0-6 is a bitter pill for the team and the Raider faithful to swallow, there here have been glimmers of hope the last couple of weeks. The team has had a pulse and some fight. They've played hard and seem to be on the road toward better things. But there is still much work to do. With that in mind, here are six keys to beating the Cleveland Browns.

6. Run, Run, Run – Then Run Some More

McFadden
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

6. Run, Run, Run – Then Run Some More

McFadden
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland is the worst in the league against the run, giving up about 155 YPG. The Raiders' rushing attack checks in at an anemic 69 YPG, but against the Chargers two weeks ago, they showed what could be if they give the ground game a chance. OC Greg Olson must not abandon the run game as quickly as he seems to, and feed the Browns a steady diet of Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. The rushing attack must be the focus this week.

5. Hit Brian Hoyer Early and Often

Hoyer
Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports

5. Hit Brian Hoyer Early and Often

Hoyer
Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders' defense must take advantage of the absence of the heart and soul of Cleveland's offensive line, Alex Mack. The Browns felt Mack's absence deeply against the Jaguars as their rushing game, one of the best in the league, was held to just 69 yards. The Jags also got to Hoyer, sacking him three times and forcing him into a mistake-filled, miserable day. The Raiders must duplicate Jacksonville's defensive effort to claim a win.

4. Throttle Cleveland's Ground Game

Tate
Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

4. Throttle Cleveland's Ground Game

Tate
Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Mack's absence will clearly have an impact on the Browns' running game. However, the Raiders, giving up more than 140 yards a game on the ground, aren't in a position to mail it in. They will need to focus on stopping Ben Tate before he ever gets rolling. If they can stop the run and force Brian Hoyer – whose confidence appears shaken – to make the plays, the Raiders will be in a good position by game's end. But they must stop the run.

3. Get Third Down Monkey Off Their Backs

First Down
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Get Third Down Monkey Off Their Backs

First Down
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Whether it's on offense or defense, the Raiders have been absolutely abysmal on third downs this season. Opposing offense are converting them at a better than 50 percent clip, while Oakland's offense is hitting on just over 30 percent of their own. To have any chance to succeed, those numbers must be flipped. They must get their defense off the field, and their offense must begin extending drives and controlling the clock.

2. Derek Carr Must Be Turned Loose

Carr
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Derek Carr Must Be Turned Loose

Carr
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Enough with the conservative play calling already. Derek Carr is looking like a solid NFL QB and must be given the chance to learn, grow and develop – even if it means a few mistakes. Against the Chargers, he looked brilliant at times and is developing a nice chemistry with his receivers. Against Arizona last week, the offense went more conservative again. Carr must be given the freedom to air it out and run the offense without training wheels.

1. Coaches Must Call A Much Better Game

Olson
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

1. Coaches Must Call A Much Better Game

Olson
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Simply put, the Raiders' coaches must do a much better job calling a game. Oakland's play calling this season has been predictable, passionless and far too conservative. Rather than attacking and going out to win, the Raiders' coaches are calling plays like they're scared, the lone exception being the first 55 minutes of the game against the Chargers. Oakland's coaches must lose the fear and call a balls out game from start to finish.

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