Raiders Make Beating Browns Look Routine

Take away away the trauma and drama of losing Jason Campbell, and this was a fairly boring, never really worried—although they tried at the end—lead start to finish, yawn inducing win. Sure the Raiders could have been better, but they handled their bizzness and walked away with a win.

And that right there is a beautiful thing. How long has it been since the Raiders have had a boring win?

I'll have plenty more on Campbell and this game, but for now I just want to focus on the obvious positives.

The Raiders were in control of this game because their defense allowed them to be. They got the Browns off the field quickly and easily. That is two straight strong defensive performances and an awesome sign for the overall health of this team.

The Browns ran for just 65 yards on 3.1 yards per carry and 16 of those yards were on McCoy scrambles. They limited the backs to just 45 yards at a clip of 2.65 yards per carry.

This is a Browns team that has struggled to rush the ball, but that is still well below their average.

The pass defense was just as good. Colt McCoy finished 21/45 with 215 yards, but that stat line does not tell the story of how effective the defense was. On the Browns second to last possession the Raiders went to what was essentially a prevent defense, and McCoy was 8/10 with 91 yards on that drive.

Now we can debate the merits of that strategy, but what you can't debate is that it was the change in defense that allowed the Browns success on short passes. Take away that drive and McCoy was 13/35 with 124 yards.

What an impressive day for the defense, and an impressive two weeks. Much more to come, but for now I am just marinating in joy of rooting for a team that can beating a team like the Browns look routine and easy.