The AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (7-2) ride a six-game winning streak into Thursday night’s prime-time matchup against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) at Empower Field at Mile High.
How to Watch Raiders vs Broncos
When: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 8:15 PM ET
TV Channel: ABC (KTNV – Las Vegas), ABC (KMGH – Denver) (Local Only)
Will Lutz kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired on Sunday to lift the Broncos to an 18-15 road win over the Houston Texans. The defense kept the Texans out of the end zone, surrendering five field goals, and the offense drove 48 yards in 50 seconds to set up Lutz’s game-winning kick. Bo Nix threw two touchdown passes in an inconsistent showing, as he was just 18-of-37 for 173 yards and threw an interception. On the season, Nix has completed 61.2% of his throws for 1,976 yards and 17 touchdowns with six picks, while J.K. Dobbins leads the ground attack with 695 yards at a 5.1-yard-per-carry clip.
Las Vegas closed to within a point with 16 seconds left in overtime on Sunday, but Geno Smith’s potential game-winning two-point conversion pass was batted down as the Raiders took their second straight loss, 30-29, to the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith was 29-of-39 for 284 yards and four touchdowns, three to Brock Bowers, who finished with 12 receptions for 127 yards. On Tuesday, Las Vegas traded its top target, receiver Jakobi Meyers, to the Jaguars for two third-day picks in next year’s draft.
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A high school in the Bay Area has received a six-figure donation from the Las Vegas Raiders, which is going towards repairs of its football field after it was damaged in a fire over the summer.
Officials with the Mount Diablo Unified School District said the NFL franchise pledged $250,000 to help cover the cost of repairing the turf field at Mount Diablo High School in Concord.
“As a lifelong Raiders fan and past season ticket holder, I couldn’t be more pleased with their generous contribution,” district superintendent Adam Clark said in a statement. “With the help of Mark Davis, owner of the Raiders, we have restored the field to its original state!”
The district said the donation by the Raiders will cover the cost of the insurance deductible, which the district would have paid out of its own funds towards the total repair costs of nearly $350,000.
On Aug. 24, school officials learned the field was damaged the night before. Surveillance video showed a group of people setting off fireworks on the field on Aug. 23, which authorities believe may have ignited the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A third of the field was damaged in the fire, including the school’s logo on the 50-yard line. District officials previously said the field was installed earlier this year at a cost between $1 million and $3 million.
Officials with the Oakland Police Department said a man who died while in police custody over the weekend has been identified as former NFL running back Doug Martin.
In a statement Monday, police confirmed Martin died following a reported break-in at a home on Ettrick Street shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday. Police said Martin was involved in the break-in and when officers attempted to detain him, a brief struggle occurred.
Martin became unresponsive after being taken into custody, police said. Paramedics responded to the scene and rendered aid.
Police said Martin was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
“Since Saturday, OPD has been in contact with Martin’s family. The family has requested privacy as they grieve this tragic loss,” Oakland police said in a statement.
In a statement on behalf of the family, Athletes First and CEO Brian Murphy said Martin’s parents had called local authorities for medical assistance for Martin.
“Following recent media reports about Doug’s untimely passing, the family wishes to clarify the circumstances. Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor’s residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway,” Murphy said.
Martin, 36, was born in Oakland and grew up in Stockton, where he attended Saint Mary’s High School. A standout at Boise State, Martin was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the 31st pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
In the NFL, Martin played five seasons with Tampa Bay, being named to the Pro Bowl twice. Martin finished his professional career with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018.
“From his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise,” the team said in a statement, noting he was honored as one of the top 50 Buccaneers of all time.
“The condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Doug’s family at this time,” the Raiders said in a statement.
Mayor Barbara Lee said in a statement Monday, “We mourn the loss of Doug Martin, an Oaklander who had a distinguished NFL career and tragically passed away Saturday morning. Our condolences are with his family and loved ones, and my office has reached out to Mr. Martin’s family. They have asked for privacy during this time.”
Police said the officers who were involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave.
The incident is being investigated by the department’s homicide unit and internal affairs, along with the Oakland Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
And while the Colts had plenty of reason to celebrate after the game, those celebrations were soured by a terrible moment on the field.
Colts kicker Spencer Shrader suffered season-ending ACL and MCL injuries during the game after Raiders safety Tristin McCollum hit his kicking leg on an extra point. Following the incident, the refs flagged McCollum for roughing the kicker, and now, he’s paying the price.
Every week during the regular NFL season, the league penalizes players for their actions deemed a violation of the league rules. The NFL notes on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.”
In the NFL’s report for Week 5, McCollum was hit with a $5,722 fine for unnecessary roughness (roughing the kicker). But considering that the injury ended Shrader’s season and severely affected his kicking leg, was a fine enough? At least one NFL personality is questioning the amount of the punishment.
“That seems like a fairly meager fine considering the seriousness of the offense, a clear personal foul, and the season-ending consequences to Shrader,” notes Michael David Smith of NBC’s Pro Football Sports. “NFL players are routinely fined more than that for celebrations.”
The fine, according to the NFL, will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Also from that game, Colts linebacker Joe Bachie was hit with a $6,500 fine for unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing). The fine was for tripping Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty in the second quarter of the game.
So far to begin the 2025 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders have not played as well as they had hoped. Under first-year head coach Pete Carroll, they have been competitive, but still hold a 1-3 record through the first four weeks.
While there are reasons to be optimistic about the future, there are still quite a few areas that badly need help.
One of those areas comes at the cornerback position. In order for the Raiders to become a serious contender in the AFC, they will need to upgrade that position at some point in time. There could be an opportunity to do just that before the trade deadline.
Keeping that in mind, Las Vegas has been linked as a potential trade suitor for a very intriguing dynamic defensive back.
Tim Weaver of Seattle Seahawks on SI has suggested that the Raiders could make sense as a potential trade destination for Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen.
His suggestion comes on the heels of a report from longtime NFL insider Ian Rapoport, who reported that teams around the NFL are monitoring Woolen as a potential trade candidate this year.
“The most obvious destination would be Vegas, where former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll now resides,” Weaver wrote. “Carroll is the one who picked Woolen in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, which seemed like an all-time steal at the end of his rookie season. While Woolen has dropped off since, the Raiders are pretty weak at cornerback and need all the help they can get in a brutal AFC West race.”
Woolen would be a huge pickup for Las Vegas. He would immediately give the Raiders a new No. 1 cornerback and a big-time playmaker in the secondary.
Throughout his first 52 career NFL games, Woolen has racked up 176 total tackles to go along with a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, 11 interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 42 defended passes. Those numbers show why Las Vegas would have to be interested in acquiring him.
Add in the fact that Woolen is only 26 years old and things get even more interesting. Not only would the Raiders be getting a dynamic playmaker, they would be acquiring a player who could become a cornerstone for their defense long-term.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about Woolen’s future. It’s possible that Seattle will have no interest in trading him, but if he is placed on the trade block Las Vegas should be one of the teams calling with interest.
For more on the Las Vegas Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears blocked a last-minute field goal attempt to score a narrow 25-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The following is from a previous report.
The Chicago Bears will be without starters on both lines after ruling out right tackle Darnell Wright and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett for the game at Las Vegas on Sunday.
Wright missed part of last week’s win over Dallas, though he returned to the game after suffering the injury. Second-year pro Theo Benedet filled in last week. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo is listed as the second-string right tackle, but the second-round draft pick from Boston College was a healthy scratch the past two games. Whoever starts figures to be in for a big challenge lining up against Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Jarrett has been dealing with a knee injury for a few weeks and will miss his first game. The two-time Pro Bowler is in his first season with the Bears after spending his first 10 years in Atlanta.
Cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring), tight end Colston Loveland (hip) and running back D’Andre Swift (hip) are questionable. Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) will miss his third game – and second in a row.
The Bears (1-2) have a chance to go into their bye with a .500 record after a rough start to the season. They blew an 11-point lead against the Vikings in the opener and were blown out at Detroit in Week 2 before beating the Cowboys at Soldier Field.
The Chicago Bears are coming off a strong 31-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Now, the team is heading into another tough matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who are in Year 1 of the Pete Carroll era. While Carroll is a new face to the Raiders franchise, one player who’s long been synonymous with Las Vegas is defensive end Maxx Crobsy. He even has the Raiders logo tattooed on him.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup, Bears head coach Ben Johnson opened up about the team’s next opponent and let his feelings out about having to defend a player like Crosby.
“In my opinion, he’s a top-five player in this league on defense and probably doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves,” Johnson said of Crosby, according to the Raiders’ website. “He’s all over the place, relentless, high motor and you’ve got to account for him and know where he’s at every single snap or else he’ll get ya. He wrecks drives. That’s what he does.”
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams also got in on the Crosby chatter.
“He’s Maxx Crosby; he’s something that you need to be aware of for every single play and understand the type of player that he is and how much he can affect the game, how much he does affect a game and a game plan,” Williams added.
Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle noted that Crosby is a “unique player” and that the Bears are taking him into consideration with their pregame planning.
“When building a plan, obviously you have to have awareness of where he’s at at all times. He’s a phenomenal player. He plays with great effort,” Doyle said. “That’s the biggest thing about him that shows up on the tape. He’s slippery and you just have to have an awareness and on every single play, you’ve got to have a plan for how we’re going to handle him.”
Crosby, who was drafted by the Raiders in 2019, has been one of the strongest defensive ends in the league. The Michigan native has clocked 61.5 sacks since joining the NFL. During the offseason, he signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders that includes $91.5 million guaranteed.
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was caught in the middle of a play and run over during the team’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon.
Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota ran to his left as the team moved up the field before halftime. He was pushed out of bounds by Raiders defensive back Tristin McCollum. Mariota ran through Quinn, who was trying to halt his player’s momentum.
Washington Commanders Dan Quinn is run into on the sideline during the first half of NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Quinn’s head appeared to connect with Mariota’s shoulder pad as he fell backward to the ground. The FOX broadcast showed the veteran coach with a bloody nose. Washington hit a field goal before halftime to go up 20-10.
“I’m OK, everything’s good. Just gonna be this kind of day where it’s a physical game, back and forth, and that’s what we expected coming in,” he told FOX’s Jennifer Hale before the second half began.
Washington Commanders Dan Quinn speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Landover, Maryland.(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Mariota started for an injured Jayden Daniels. He dug deep and went 15-of-21 passing with 207 yards and a touchdown pass. He added 40 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
It was his first start since 2022 when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jaylin Lane electrified the crowd with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown as well.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith had 289 passing yards and threw three touchdown passes in the loss. Tre Tucker led the way with eight catches for 145 yards. He caught all three of Smith’s touchdown passes.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts after a play during the second half of NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Landover, Maryland.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
After he was hit on the knee during a tackle, Bowers appeared to have suffered a significant injury. Following the incident, he was seen walking gingerly, and first looks appeared to indicate that his knee injury may have been severe.
Bowers himself offered a much more hopeful outlook on the injury following the Raiders’ victory, and he stated that the knee tweak was nothing to be concerned with.
Everything appeared to be great until the Raiders star appeared on the injury reports as DNP (Did Not Participate). Bowers missed two practices in a row on Thursday and Friday, indicating that the knee injury may have been worse than expected.
Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders high-fives fans as he takes the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Las… Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders high-fives fans as he takes the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 34-20.
Despite the two DNP designations, Bowers returned to practice on Saturday, and Raiders head coach Peter Caroll indicated that Bowers was “expected” to play.
Now, the Raiders have made the final decision on Bowers playing in this important divisional matchup.
According to multiple reports, Bowers is active and will take the field against the Chargers. This is massive news for Geno Smith, who will have a huge offensive weapon.
Bowers was off and running in Week 1, turning five receptions into 103 yards, picking up exactly where he left off in the 2024 season.
Bowers was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in his first season after setting a rookie record of 112 receptions. He also logged 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
With Bowers back in the lineup, the Raiders can take on their rivals with the same strong offense that showed up against the Patriots.
The Chargers are certainly no slouch of an opponent, so the Raiders not having Bowers in the lineup would have been difficult to deal with.
Long time division rivals clash in Vegas in Monday Night Football action
Los Angeles ChargersCredit: Los Angeles Chargers
In game 1, we saw the LA Chargers successfully fend off the Kansas City Chiefs in a divisional thriller full of big plays and bigger upsets. This week, the divisional feuds continue as the Chargers head to Vegas to face a newly revitalized Raiders team.
It took a few years of navigating drafts and trades, but it appears that this year’s Las Vegas Raiders can pose a serious threat, unlike we’ve seen in recent years.
After a 14-year run with the Seattle Seahawks that includes a Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XLVIII), future Hall of Fame coach Pete Carroll has made his way to the often-troubled Raiders, bringing with him a work ethic and maturity level that have been sorely missing in the team’s past.
Now in command, he oversees a promising team full of young studs, such as the eruptive tight end Brock Bowers, who is now considered the best player at the position, and the newly drafted running back Ashton Jeanty, who is viewed as one of the best RB prospects in years.
Along with Carroll also comes former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who finished top 5 in total passing yards last season. And to round out this offense on the WR end of things, we have Jakobi Meyers, a player who has flown under the radar quietly while accumulating a career-best season last year for not only surpassing 1,000 yards for his first time, but also catching 129 targets with a mind-blowing 0 drops.
Safe to say the Chargers cannot let their foot off the gas during their next meeting. But as we’ve seen in game 1, Herbert and the Chargers are also playing with a chip on their shoulder after numerous underwhelming years.
If the offense continues to click like it did against the Chiefs, Herbert will have not one, not two but three highly skilled receivers at his disposal in McConkey, Allen, and Johnston. We should also see a breakout game from the Chargers’ own rookie RB Omarion Hampton, who saw a solid amount of carries in game 1, though left much to be desired in terms of yardage gained.
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The key to victory is not resting entirely on the Chargers’ offense but more on the defense, specifically superstar safety Derwin James Jr., as he must apply as much pressure as he can to Geno Smith in hopes of preventing any type of production from Bowers and Meyers.
Could we see two fun shootouts in a row for the Chargers? There’s a high possibility. We’ll see how things play out on Monday night in Vegas, where the high-rollers take all the risk.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is not enthralled with the way the team has handled his contract status.
Meyers is entering the final year of his pact and wants a new deal, but the Raiders don’t appear to be in any rush to extend him. And based on a report from Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Meyers might be waiting for a while and could find himself out of Las Vegas by the end of the year.
Reed has revealed one of the biggest reasons why the Raiders have not extended Meyers, and it’s due to the presence of rookie receiver Jack Bech.
“Another factor that could be causing the Raiders to hold off on extending Meyers is they spent their second-round pick this year on receiver Jack Bech, who’s currently a backup,” Reed wrote. “Meyers and Bech have similar skills — they’re best when working from the slot — which makes it more difficult for them to share the field.”
Reed added that while Bech could definitely serve as a backup this fall, Las Vegas probably doesn’t want him to ride the bench in 2026 because it would then be a “wasted pick” for the Silver and Black.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: Jakobi Meyers #16 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs off the field during halftime against the San Francisco 49ers in a NFL Preseason 2025 game at Allegiant Stadium on… LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: Jakobi Meyers #16 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs off the field during halftime against the San Francisco 49ers in a NFL Preseason 2025 game at Allegiant Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 22-19. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
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That absolutely makes sense from a team-building perspective. The Raiders added a pair of wide outs in Bech and Dont’e Thornton in the NFL Draft back in April, and they would obviously prefer to cultivate those two moving forward.
That may prove difficult — particularly in the case of Bech — if Meyers stays on the roster long term. Plus, Meyers may have priced himself out of the Raiders’ range after hauling in 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Given the price surge in the wide receiver market over the last couple of years, Meyers — who had never logged 1,000 yards in five seasons before 2024 — may be angling for a contract Las Vegas is not willing to pay.
Over the last few years, the Las Vegas Raiders have been full of hope. There have been multiple years that it looked like the franchise could get back to being a potential playoff contender.
Unfortunately, the disappointment has continued to build. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the Raiders have a new head coach in Pete Carroll and he has brought a new culture to the team. There are legitimate reasons to be excited about the upcoming campaign.
A big part of their success will be superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
He has become a clear leader for Las Vegas. It also helps that he is one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the NFL preseason 2025 game at State Farm Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the NFL preseason 2025 game at State Farm Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Crosby has been a leader on the field, but he’s looking to take that leadership a step further. Tom Brady has been influential for him and he spoke out and talked about the biggest thing he has learned from the best quarterback in league history.
“He’s taught me how to be a better leader,” Crosby said. “He’s showed me, this is what it looked like when I was young, and this is what it looked like in year seven for me. It’s been a constant evolving relationship, and he’s helped me so much, I think mostly in a leadership role, how to bring teammates along, how to push guys, to pull guys in a certain direction.”
Carroll will need to lean heavily on Crosby. He will need the star defensive end to help his teammates get better around him. That is what he has learned from Brady.
Learning from one of the best players to ever play the game of football is huge. Not only is Brady one of the best players of all-time, he was also an elite leader. He was the definition of improving players around him.
Hopefully, that is a role that Crosby can play for the Raiders.
Last season, Crosby played in 12 games. He racked up 45 tackles to go along with 7.5 sacks and five defended passes. Back in 2023, he totaled 90 tackles, 14.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and two defended passes.
Those numbers show a glimpse of what Crosby can do on the field. If he can take his leadership to the next level, he will become a complete player.
While this is all great news, fans will need to see it on the field. It will be interesting to see what changes Crosby makes this season and how he can bring his teammates up around him throughout the 2025 campaign.
For more on the Las Vegas Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
The Browns traded Pickett to Las Vegas on Monday night for a fifth-round draft pick in 2026, giving the Raiders a proven backup quarterback and clearing the way for two rookies to back up Joe Flacco in Cleveland.
It’s the third time in less than 18 months that Pickett has been traded. He was the 20th overall pick by Pittsburgh in the 2022 draft and started 24 games in two seasons for the Steelers before being dealt to Philadelphia in 2024.
Pickett will back up Geno Smith in Las Vegas after Aidan O’Connell broke his right wrist in Saturday’s preseason game at Arizona.
The Eagles won the Super Bowl last season, when Pickett was the backup to Jalen Hurts. He was traded to Cleveland in March for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick.
Cleveland signed Flacco one month later and drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth.
Pickett suffered a hamstring injury on July 26 and didn’t play in the preseason. Coach Kevin Stefanski had said he expected Pickett to be available for Cleveland’s Sept. 7 opener against Cincinnati.
Stefanski did not name a backup last week when Flacco was named the Week 1 starter, but Gabriel would likely fill that role if the Browns don’t sign another QB. Cleveland released Tyler Huntley on Sunday, but he could be an option if the Browns want a veteran with starting experience.
O’Connell will miss six to eight weeks for Las Vegas, and coach Pete Carroll made it clear that the Raiders would pursue another quarterback because he said rookie Cam Miller wasn’t ready to be the No. 2.
“I want somebody who’s played,” Carroll said Sunday. “That’s what’s important, a guy that’s had game experience is really huge to me. We have Cam and Cam hasn’t played in the league much, so we’re looking for an experienced player that could help us.”
Pickett has started 25 games in three seasons and is 15-10. He has completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,765 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
O’Connell started 17 games over the past two seasons, including seven games in 2024. He threw for 1,612 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions last year.
The Raiders — who open at New England on Sept. 7 — signed Smith in the offseason, bumping O’Connell to the backup role.
The Cleveland Browns are not carrying four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster after all, following a stunning trade on Monday night.
The Browns dealt veteran Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round NFL Draft pick.
The Raiders were desperate for a backup quarterback to Geno Smith, whom they traded for earlier this offseason with the Seattle Seahawks to reunite him with his old head coach, Pete Carroll. Aidan O’Connell fractured his wrist during the Raiders’ preseason finale, sidelining him for 6–8 weeks.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.(Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
O’Connell was expected to back up Smith this season, but that lengthy absence forced Las Vegas to look elsewhere. Carroll mentioned wanting someone with starting experience, and the Raiders get that in the fourth-year man out of Pitt.
Pickett has 25 starts under his NFL belt, going 15–10 over that span with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he couldn’t solidify the starting job there, ultimately leading to a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2024 season. It was there that Pickett backed up Jalen Hurts on the Eagles’ way to a Super Bowl LIX victory last season.
Pickett was then traded from Philadelphia to Cleveland, as the Browns were assembling their quarterback room with Deshaun Watson sidelined by a torn Achilles. Pickett was competing with veteran Joe Flacco—already named the Week 1 starter by head coach Kevin Stefanski—as well as rookies Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round).
A hamstring injury suffered early in training camp cost Pickett valuable time to compete for his roster spot. He didn’t play in any of the team’s preseason games, though Stefanski mentioned after the finale against the Los Angeles Rams that he believed Pickett would return in time for Week 1.
With Flacco already locked in as the starter, the question of who Stefanski would choose as the Browns’ backup gained extra attention, especially with the national spotlight on Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. ESPN recently reported that the Browns were preparing to carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, but the trade changes that entire situation.
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, left, Dillon Gabriel, center, and Joe Flacco warm up during an NFL practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.(Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, brought in after Pickett and Gabriel dealt with early training camp injuries, was reportedly waived by the Browns following his preseason action.
So while Pickett figures to step in as the Raiders’ backup quarterback to start the season, who will sit behind Flacco on the Browns’ depth chart will remain a topic of speculation until Stefanski makes the call.
Sanders strengthened his case with an impressive preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, along with four carries for 19 yards. Injury kept him out of the team’s second game, but he returned in the second half of the finale against the Rams, where he struggled—finishing just 3 of 6 for 14 yards while taking five sacks.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws a pass during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.(Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)
Gabriel, after missing the opener, played in the final two preseason matchups. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Against the Rams, he went 12 of 19 for 129 yards and threw his lone touchdown of the preseason.
The Browns’ roster, along with every other NFL team, must be finalized by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
The Detroit Lions are on a mission to win their first-ever Super Bowl, and with the recent loss of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the team may be forced to make a bold move. According to Cory Woodroof of For The Win, the Lions are predicted to make a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of the NFL trade deadline. This would be one of the most significant moves in recent NFL history, with Detroit sending a “Godfather-style offer” to Vegas that includes two first-round picks.
Why the Lions Need Maxx Crosby
Losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury dealt a massive blow to the Lions’ defense. Hutchinson was not only one of the best pass rushers in the league but also a leader on the defense. His absence leaves a significant hole that could derail Detroit’s championship aspirations. To address this, Woodroof predicts that the Lions will make a bold move to acquire Crosby, one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players.
Crosby has been a game-changer for the Raiders and would instantly elevate Detroit’s defense to elite status. Pairing him with a returning Hutchinson in the future would give the Lions one of the most feared pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
What It Would Take To Get Crosby
As Woodroof mentioned, pulling off a trade for a player of Crosby’s caliber won’t be cheap. The Detroit Lions would likely need to part with two first-round picks to get the deal done. It’s a steep price, but for a team on the verge of competing for a Super Bowl, it could be worth the risk. General manager Brad Holmes has shown a willingness to make bold moves in the past, and with the team sitting at 5-1, this is their window of opportunity.
Maxx Crosby’s Potential Impact in Detroit
Maxx Crosby would bring an immediate impact to the Lions’ defense. He is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, consistently causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Through the first seven weeks of the season, Crosby has racked up an impressive number of sacks and quarterback pressures, showing why he is one of the most coveted defensive players in the league.
Adding Crosby to a defense that already boasts playmakers like Brian Branch and Alim McNeill would make the Lions a force to be reckoned with down the stretch. The Lions’ defensive front, once considered a weakness, would become a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Could It Happen?
While this trade is still just a prediction from Woodroof, the Detroit Lions have been aggressive in their pursuit of building a Super Bowl-caliber team. With Hutchinson sidelined, the urgency to make a move is higher than ever. And with the trade deadline approaching, Holmes may feel the pressure to make a splash that pushes the Lions over the top.
Las Vegas, on the other hand, is in the midst of a rebuild, and stockpiling draft picks could be an enticing proposition for them. If Detroit is willing to part with two first-round picks, it could be enough to convince the Raiders to part ways with Crosby.
The Bottom Line
The idea of Maxx Crosby joining the Detroit Lions may seem like a dream scenario for Lions fans, but it’s a scenario that could turn into reality. If the Lions want to make a serious run at the Super Bowl this year, acquiring Crosby would be a game-changer. It’s a bold move, but in the NFL, sometimes you have to roll the dice.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, a deal unanimously approved by NFL team owners on Tuesday at the league’s annual fall meeting.
In a lengthy statement on X, Brady said he was “incredibly humbled and excited” to receive approval.
“I’m eager to contribute to the organization in any way I can, honoring the Raiders’ rich tradition while finding every possible opportunity to improve our offering to fans… and most importantly, WIN football games,” Brady posted.
Tom Brady, former NFL quarterback, looks on before the Detroit Lions play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
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Brady also thanked Raiders majority owner Mark Davis, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and others.
“It’s an exciting day for the Raider organization,” Davis said. “Although Tom can’t play, I think he can help us select a quarterback in the future and potentially train him as well.”
Brady, who played 23 seasons with the Patriots and Buccaneers, takes 5% control of the Raiders. He needed to receive 24 of 32 votes. The 47-year-old Brady can’t come of out retirement and play again unless he sells his stake in the team.
“It’s great that Tom Brady wants to invest in the NFL,” Goodell said. “He cares deeply about this game. He believes in its future and I think that’s just a signal of that.”
The deal was initially agreed upon in May 2023, but it took owners 17 months to give their approval over concerns Brady was receiving too much of a discount from Davis. Brady’s new job as a broadcaster with Fox also was an issue because it could represent a conflict of interest.
“There were a lot of things from a structural and due diligence standpoint that had to happen, which is why it took so long for it to be approved and we finally got all that put to bed,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said.
The NFL placed restrictions on Brady before the season to limit his access. He is not permitted to attend production meetings in person or virtually and may not have access to team facilities or players and coaching personnel. Brady may broadcast Raiders games. He also has to abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs.
Brady also owns a minority stake in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who are owned by Davis.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Seymour, who played with Brady in New England, also received approval Tuesday to purchase a minority stake in the Raiders.
“This is the mission of a lifetime, and I accept it with both purpose and pride,” Seymour posted on X. “With great opportunity comes great responsibility. And I pledge to be a worthy steward of our game—and all it makes possible.”
Brady and Seymour are the fifth and sixth former NFL players to become owners after George Halas Sr., Jerry Richardson, Warrick Dunn and John Stallworth.
Davis joked that he didn’t like Brady very much when he was an opponent but he tried hard to sign him as a free agent in 2020 before the 15-time Pro Bowl QB went to Tampa Bay.
“We’re really proud to have him as part of the organization,” Davis said. “He’s a competitor, he’s a bright young man. There’s just so many pluses for both sides. It’s great.”
The Raiders haven’t won a Super Bowl since capturing their third title in eight years following the 1983 season. They won their first two championships in Oakland and the last one in Los Angeles. They moved to Las Vegas in 2020 and haven’t won a playoff game since losing the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay on Jan. 26, 2003.
Tom Brady, a surefire future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and arguably the greatest player in NFL history, could be on the precipice of NFL ownership.
Brady and businessman Tom Wagner, the co-founder of Knighthead Capital Management, came to an agreement with Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis to buy into the franchise last year. Their bid will be discussed at the NFL’s owners’ meetings on Tuesday in Atlanta, according to a league source. The league’s financial committee will review Brady’s bid, with a potential vote to follow.
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Here’s an explainer of how Brady and the Raiders got here:
What is the process for Brady becoming a part-owner of the Raiders?
Brady and Wagner had to reach an agreement with Davis to purchase a minority stake in the franchise, which they did in May 2023. From there, the bid is reviewed by the NFL’s finance committee, which was formed last year and is composed of owners. The committee decides if the bid will proceed to a vote. If it does, the bid must be approved by 24 of the NFL’s 32 majority owners.
What would his ownership share be, and how much is he paying for it?
That’s because a valuation is based on the estimated price the Raiders would draw if Davis sold the entire stake. The price Brady and Wagner agreed on with Davis has not been disclosed, but it’ll likely be substantially less than 10 percent of the valuation of the Raiders.
How does one pay for, say, a 10 percent share of an NFL team? Does he have to come up with cash, or is it a payout over a longer period?
Brady and Wagner have to pay cash. If they don’t have the full amount on hand, they’ll have to take out a loan.
Why has the process taken so long?
It has taken some time to nail down the final price. According to The Washington Post, the NFL’s finance committee raised concerns last year that Davis was giving Brady and Wagner too much of a discount. The Post reported earlier this month that Brady and Wagner have since increased their offer to “far more money than originally proposed.”
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What would be different for Brady given his TV broadcasting career?
The NFL has already placed restrictions on Brady in his role as a Fox analyst, which Brady agreed to before the start of this season, according to a league source. He’s not allowed access to other teams’ facilities and practices, nor can he attend broadcast production meetings, which usually include meetings with coaches and players ahead of games. He’s also not allowed to publicly criticize officials or other teams and could be fined or suspended if the league feels he breaks that policy. He also must abide by the league’s gambling and anti-tampering policies and is limited to “strictly social communication” with members of other teams.
What is Brady’s connection to Raiders owner Mark Davis?
In January 2020, Brady attended UFC 246 and was photographed smiling while talking to Davis, whom he’d previously met, and then-Raiders executive Marcel Reece. The Raiders were moving to Las Vegas, while Brady was coming off what would be his final season with the New England Patriots. With Brady set to become an unrestricted free agent that March, rumors were swirling that he could potentially sign with the Raiders to replace then-starting quarterback Derek Carr.
The Raiders considered pursuing Brady, but then-coach Jon Gruden, who had personnel power, ultimately decided against it and stuck with Carr. Brady went on to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Raiders’ flirtation was the start of a deeper relationship with Davis, who took over as head of the franchise following the death of his father, Al, in 2011.
In May 2022, Brady attended a Las Vegas Aces game. He caught up with Davis, who purchased the WNBA franchise in 2021, and expressed his admiration for what they were building. On the court, the team was thriving and en route to its first WNBA championship. From a fan base perspective, the Aces were regularly selling out games and drawing some of the best attendance numbers in the league.
“I think (Brady) was just really impressed with how far women’s basketball has come,” Davis told The Athletic last year. “And he was also impressed by the excitement and the enthusiasm of the crowd in Las Vegas.”
Shortly after the game, Brady’s representatives reached out to Davis and asked whether he would be willing to sell a minority stake in the Aces. In March 2023, the Aces announced that Brady had reached an agreement with Davis to become a minority owner. The purchase was approved by the WNBA’s other owners in October. The percentage of Brady’s stake and the amount he paid for it remain undisclosed.
“He knew that I was in it, and I think he just felt he wanted to be a part of it,” Davis said. “His people contacted me and we talked about it, and he became a partner.”
In May 2023, Davis told ESPN he had come to an agreement with Brady for the former quarterback to purchase a minority ownership stake in the Raiders.
“We’re excited for Tom to join the Raiders,” Davis told ESPN, “and it’s exciting because he will be just the third player in the history of the National Football League (after George Halas Sr. and Jerry Richardson) to become an owner.”
Mark Davis and Tom Brady attend UFC 246 in Las Vegas on Jan. 18, 2020. (Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Why is Brady trying to purchase a share of the Raiders — and not the Patriots, Buccaneers or his hometown San Francisco 49ers?
It all starts with the existing business relationship between Brady and Davis. You can’t buy a stake in a team without an owner being willing to sell a portion of his or her stake and it’s unclear if that would’ve been possible with the Patriots, Buccaneers or 49ers. The Patriots, for one, are 100 percent owned by Robert Kraft and he told Fox Business in February 2023, “I’m never selling it. We’ve set it up so it hopefully stays in the family for many decades to come.”
It’s also possible Brady viewed the Raiders as a more attractive investment. Among the four aforementioned teams, only the Patriots — valued at $7.9 billion — are worth more than the Raiders, per CNBC’s estimation. Their report has the 49ers at $7.4 billion and the Bucs at $6.05 billion.
The report also suggests that the Raiders are generating more revenue than those three other teams. According to CNBC, the Raiders generated $780 million in revenue in the past year, which trails only the Dallas Cowboys ($1.22 billion) and Los Angeles Rams ($825 million). That, plus Davis being willing to sell, is likely part of the reason this came together.
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Does this mean Brady would have any sort of control of the Raiders?
No. To be considered a majority owner by the NFL, someone who buys into the franchise must acquire at least a 30 percent stake. At that point, they could have voting rights and team control. Because Brady and Wagner are purchasing only 10 percent of the Raiders, they won’t have control. That’s another reason why they won’t pay 10 percent of the valuation of the Raiders.
“If somebody buys what’s called a limited partnership share, they pay a much lower valuation because they don’t have any control,” a former NFL executive told The Athletic last month. “They’re basically just passive investors. It’d be like if you were selling the garage of your house. You wouldn’t sell it on a per-square-foot basis. Somebody would pay a lot less because they don’t own the house.”
How many other minority owners do the Raiders have?
Davis and his mother, Carol Davis, are listed as co-owners of the Raiders and own 47 percent of the franchise. That number would drop if Brady and Wagner’s bid is approved, but the Davis family would remain the principal owners. As of 2022, the NFL dropped the minimum percentage of a team that a longstanding owner must control from 5 percent to 1 percent for teams with the same owner for at least 10 years.
When the late Al Davis became principal owner in 1972, he founded a company called A.D. Football Inc. alongside eight partners. The original eight partners have passed, but their heirs became limited partners.
The Raiders 2024 media guide lists six other “interest holders” in the franchise: A. Boscacci, Jill Boscacci Lovingfoss, First Football, Winkenbach Family, Fox Football and Sargent Family.
Could Brady still return to play in the NFL as a part-owner?
No. NFL rules state that employees can’t own equity in a team unless they are family members of the team’s owner.
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What is the Raiders’ succession plan after Mark Davis? Could Brady eventually become the primary owner?
It’s unknown. Mark Davis, 69, has no siblings and is single with no children. Carol Davis is in her 90s. If they still have stakes in the franchise when they die, their ownership stakes could either be passed on to someone else in the family or sold.
Brady could attempt to purchase their stakes in the latter scenario. He could also attempt to purchase their stakes while they’re living — or those of the other limited partners. Not only would he need to cross the 30 percent threshold, but he’d also need to own more shares than Carol and Mark Davis to become the “controlling” owner. If Carol and Mark Davis ever decided to sell, there would likely be suitors beyond Brady.
“It’ll be a real ‘Game of Thrones’ when that happens,” a former NFL executive told The Athletic. “When something’s worth $1,000, there’s not a fight. When something’s worth $10 billion, it gets pretty ugly.”
(Top illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photos: Cooper Neill and Ethan Miller / Getty Images and Matthew Pearce / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
For one snap Sunday, the Broncos offense peered over the edge and into the abyss.
This wasn’t a big mistake, fiery exchange on the sideline or loose ball bouncing on the Empower Field grass.
This was a stress test on the engine that makes any offense go and is of particular importance to Denver’s operation this fall with a rookie quarterback: The offensive line.
That rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, snapped the ball once Sunday against Las Vegas with a No. 2 left tackle and No. 3 right tackle in the game. He later played the final two series without his starting center.
Nix has played just 35% (110) of the team’s offensive snaps so far this season with Denver’s preferred starting quintet of LT Garett Bolles, LG Ben Powers, C Luke Wattenberg, RG Quinn Meinerz and RT Mike McGlinchey.
On Sunday in a 34-18 win over the Raiders, Nix took snaps behind four different offensive line combinations due to injury issues.
After a remarkable run of health up front in 2023, the Broncos have been tested repeatedly so far this season.
“I’m glad we have that kind of depth and experience,” head coach Sean Payton said Monday.
Bolles left the opener with an ankle injury and has played through it since. He got rolled up on again Sunday and had to come out for one snap.
McGlinchey sprained his MCL late in a Week 2 loss to Pittsburgh and is out at least one more game on injured reserve, though it’s not clear at this point whether he’ll be ready to return when first eligible.
His replacement, Alex Palczewski, played admirably for two-plus starts but injured his ankle early in the third quarter when Maxx Crosby appeared to unintentionally leg-whip him as Crosby sacked Nix.
So, in came Denver’s third right tackle of the season, swingman Matt Peart. Peart mostly has been the team’s jumbo tight end so far this season, a role he holds because of Quinn Bailey’s season-ending injury during training camp.
Seven plays after Peart entered at right tackle, Bolles went down and Peart shifted sides. Undrafted rookie Frank Crum got his first snap of offensive action at right tackle. Payton put tight end Adam Trautman on Crum’s side to help with protection and Nix looked right from the snap, completing a quick throw to Courtland Sutton for 8 yards and a first down.
Bolles re-entered the game, but Crum got more run because he then became the jumbo tight end with Peart manning right tackle.
Wattenberg was hurt on Nix’s 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Though he eventually walked off the field on his own, No. 2 center Alex Forsyth handled the final 10 snaps of the game.
Payton on Monday said he was happy with the way Forsyth, Peart and Crum filled in.
“Certainly, Matt has more experience than Alex, but it’s kind of a little bit of the nature of our business,” Payton said. “Guys stepped up and right away filled in and did the job.”
All the same, the coach has said repeatedly that the offense is striving to “paint the perfect picture” for Nix and allow him to grow by learning but also benefiting from teammates around him doing their jobs well.
There’s no quicker way to stunt the growth of a young quarterback than by having the offensive line in front of him marred by performance or health issues. The group didn’t play particularly well the first two weeks out but had been starting to hit its stride.
Whether it can withstand any more attrition, though, is very much an open question.
One small thing I liked: Nix didn’t put the ball in harm’s way on 31 dropbacks. A couple of the times he got wrapped up by Crosby the ball could be a bit more secure and he reached it across the goal line on his sneak TD, but overall — particularly in the passing game — he didn’t have much in the way of close calls.
Nix has not thrown an interception in any of the past three games. The Broncos, of course, have won all three. That’s not fully causal, but the quarterback playing turnover-free doesn’t hurt. Nix hasn’t thrown a pick now in 97 straight dropbacks, dating to Denver’s final play Week 2 against Pittsburgh.
What was less noticed, though, was the pre-snap confusion. Payton expressed displeasure with the fact that Nix “flipped” the play — Nix explained that Payton wanted the play run into the boundary rather than to the field. Nix made it sound like confusion in the huddle led to the flip.
It certainly looked confused. The Broncos broke the huddle in plenty of time but Nix was talking to Franklin about where to align and the mics even caught him saying “motion,” and then as Franklin ran across, Nix saying, “all the way out,” indicating Franklin was getting on-the-fly instruction from Nix as the play started.
Marvin Mims Jr., who eventually broke wide open on an over route, looked confused, too. He had his palms turned up before the snap and hesitated at the start of his route before heading over the middle of the field. Franklin hopped laterally a couple of times before the snap, which certainly didn’t help his release.
In the end, both were open and Denver could have had a touchdown either way. The play led to a viral moment and perhaps even a respect-garnering one for Nix.
Wasting chances at big plays, though, will cost the Broncos at some point.
One trend worth watching: The Broncos went 3 of 3 in goal-to-go scenarios Sunday after starting the season 2 of 4.
The Broncos only scored three touchdowns in goal-to-go once last year (vs. Cleveland) and hadn’t been perfect on three or more chances since Dec. 12, 2022, vs. Arizona. They hadn’t hit that mark in a division game since Nov. 28, 2021, against the Chargers.
The touchdown pass Nix threw to Josh Reynolds in the fourth quarter was a beauty in both placement and rhythm.
Though it may seem backward, Jaleel McLaughlin is showing to be a better back near the goal line than Javonte Williams. McLaughlin’s turned two tough looks into touchdowns this year — fourth down against Seattle and his 4-yard score Sunday — by way of make-you-miss rather than straight-ahead horsepower. It’s never quite been Williams’ strong suit, but together they’re starting to make a solid pairing.
DENVER — Broncos fans rejoiced — and jeered at Raiders fans — as the Denver team took home their third straight win on Sunday night.
The rivalry is one that’s as old as time. Sunday’s game fell on Alumni Weekend, when the team payed homage to the 1977 Denver Broncos in a number of ways which included throwback jerseys.
“It just brings back the greatest memories,” said Justin Martinez, who was celebrating the win with friends and family.
Another fan, Rick Cisneros, was at the 1977 game where the Broncos beat the Raiders in the AFC Championship Game.
“Back in 1977, I was in the Raiders section, and then when the Broncos won, we got pushed onto the field, and when we got pushed onto the field, that’s when they tore down the goal post. And it was just amazing back then, just incredible,” Cisneros.
Cisneros made a new memory at Sunday’s game when a raccoon was discovered inside the stadium.
“That raccoon inside the south stands. He escaped, came back, and then they caught him, then Animal Control went in and took him away. It was just hilarious,” said Cisneros.
Rick Cisneros
A raccoon found it’s way inside Empower Field on Sunday.
Despite the raccoon — nothing can overshadow the Broncos win on Sunday night.
“Sometimes I feel like it’s hard to be a Broncos fan, because day in and day out, we’re fighting for them, and we’re sometimes wondering, When are they fighting for us?” said Chantel Sandoval, a Broncos fan. “Today, I actually felt like for once, they fought for us.”
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Raiders entered their matchup against the Browns with the NFL’s worst running game and without star players Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams.
Plus, Las Vegas was coming off a loss to the previously winless Panthers that drew the ire of coach Antonio Pierce.
But the Raiders found a balanced running attack and overcame a Cleveland rally to win 20-16 on Sunday.
“Yeah, a lot of adversity this week, there’s no doubt about it,” Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew said. “I was happy to see how we responded. Coming in Friday’s practice, we kind of turned the corner and the overall mood of the team changed and everybody was feeling really it again.”
Cleveland drove to the Raiders 9-yard line with the chance to walk out with the victory, but Charles Snowden sacked Deshaun Watson on fourth down with 35 seconds left.
The Raiders (2-2) found enough offense without star wide receiver Adams (hamstring) and held the Browns to 241 yards without Crosby (ankle).
“We all had to take a step up,” Snowden said. “I have to thank Maxx. He was engaged all week coaching us up, being a very present figure.”
Alexander Mattison rushed for 60 yards for the Raiders, who totaled 152 on the ground and had five players with runs of at least 10 yards, their most since 2010 against the Seahawks. The Raiders got rushing touchdowns from receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, becoming the first team since the Jets in 2010 to get two TD runs from wideouts.
Las Vegas hadn’t rushed for more than 55 yards in a game this season.
“It felt really good to be able to operate on all cylinders like that to get the run game going,” Mattison said. “The O-line did an amazing job. We have to keep it going because we know what we’re capable of.”
Minshew was 14 for 24 for 130 yards. He was sacked twice by reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who is dealing with an assortment of injuries.
Watson completed all eight passes in leading the Browns to a touchdown on an opening drive that lasted 9:22, but he finished 24 for 32 for 176 yards.
He entered the game having taken a league-high 16 sacks, and the Raiders took him down three times. Cleveland’s offensive line was missing four starters for much of the game.
Although it’s not yet October, the Browns (1-3) took a blow to their playoff chances. Only 42 teams since the 1970 merger have made the postseason after opening 1-3.
A week earlier, Las Vegas lost 36-22 to the Panthers, prompting Pierce to question some players’ effort. Then the Raiders found themselves in a 10-0 hole in the first quarter.
Las Vegas scored the next 20 points to seemingly take control.
“I knew what group I had,” Pierce said. “That wasn’t the team (last week) that we’re accustomed to seeing. It was a trying week. It probably started with me and my comments and I apologized to (the players) for that. I don’t want to be a distraction in that way.”
Zamir White fumbled on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Browns safety Rodney McLeod returned it for a 25-yard TD to give Cleveland life. Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point, leaving the Browns down 20-16.
“They had the momentum at that point and we really needed to step up and get a takeaway,” Garrett said. “That’s what we were calling for in the huddle, and we answered the bell. That was an adrenaline shot.”
Cleveland appeared to take the lead on an 82-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Amari Cooper, but backup center Nick Harris was called for holding, and the Browns eventually punted.
On their last-gasp drive, with the Browns forced to go for the touchdown, Watson couldn’t attempt a pass on the decisive play.
Injuries
Browns: C Ethan Pocic (ankle) went into the locker room in the first quarter, returned in the third and then left again. …. Cleveland was already missing RG Wyatt Teller (knee) and OTs Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and Jack Conklin (hamstring). … LB Jordan Hicks (elbow) left in the second quarter. … TE David Njoku (ankle) did not play.
Raiders: LB Divine Deablo (oblique), T Thayer Munford (knee/ankle), CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) and TE Michael Mayer (personal reasons) did not play. … Return specialist Tyreik McAllister (shoulder) was hurt in the fourth quarter.
Up next
Browns: At Washington next Sunday, the second of a three-game trip.
