Browns at Raiders -- Week 13
Where: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Calif. (grass)
When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Raiders by 1.5
Forecast: Torrential downpour, 26-mile-an-hour winds, 60 degrees.
Records: Browns (Overall: 3-8, AFC North 2-3), Raiders (Overall: 3-8, AFC West 1-2)
Past results: Two most recent regular-season meetings -- October 16, 2011: Raiders 24, Browns 17; December 27, 2009: Browns 23, Raiders 9. Series record: Raiders lead 15-10 (Browns 7-3 since 1987)
What matters: The Browns have completed a gauntlet of intimidating, top-ranked defenses. An offense that showed promise early in the year has averaged 15 points in the past five games, which included matchups against San Diego, Baltimore, Dallas and Pittsburgh. The Browns survived with two wins during that stretch and have been rewarded with a trio of games against the weakest defenses in the NFL -- Oakland, Kansas City and Washington. Rookie QB Brandon Weeden is under the microscope. New CEO Joe Banner has already stated that he will decide after the season if Weeden is the quarterback of the future. If Weeden can’t thrive against porous pass defenses, including a Raiders group that has yielded a league-high 23 touchdown passes, his future could be shaky. The same holds for coach Pat Shurmur. If he has a chance at remaining at his job, the Browns need to beat under-.500 teams.
Who matters: RB Trent Richardson will play a big role, particularly if Mother Nature proves to be as brutal as predicted. A torrential rainstorm and 26-mile-an-hour winds don’t bode well for either passing game, so Richardson must continue to hang onto the ball and move the chains. He’s been criticized for dancing too much in the backfield and not attacking the hole. Considering the Browns are developing one of the top offensive lines in the AFC and the Raiders have been hurt on the ground, there is no reason Richardson can’t control this game. DEs Frostee Rucker and Jabaal Sheard, OLBs Kaluka Maiava and James-Michael Johnson and SS T.J. Ward will be responsible for keeping Raiders RB Darren McFadden from getting around the end or bolting into the secondary. McFadden (ankle) is returning to an offense that desperately needs someone who can keep it on the field.
Key matchups: CB Joe Haden vs. WR Denarius Moore . Moore leads the Raiders in receiving yards and touchdowns, though the weather could keep him at bay. Haden has been quite opportunistic with three picks in six games played. The Browns have prevented opposing burners from going over the top and that must continue. Haden was sensational last week against Steelers speedster Mike Wallace. P Reggie Hodges vs. P Shane Lechler. Granted, they won’t be on the field simultaneously, but the difference in performance this season has been so striking that it bears mention, particularly becayuse field position in bad weather should prove critical. Lechler is among the finest punters in the game and is fourth in the NFL with an average of 48.3. Hodges ranks 31stat 42.2. He booted two high and deep late in the win over Pittsburgh. The Browns can only hope that’s a trend because they can’t afford more of those low, short line drives he has kicked far too often this season.
Injuries of note: The likely return of CB Dimitri Patterson (ankle) puts the Browns at nearly full strength. KR Josh Cribbs (shoulder/chest) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. It remains unclear if he’ll be available.
Inside stuff: The Browns get little national TV exposure, but they will be featured on the Travel Channel in a show titled NFL Road Tested: The Cleveland Browns. It will run Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET. It was produced by the production company of Dee Haslam, whose husband Jimmy is the owner of the team. It will provide viewers a peek at how the team travels through the league, featuring preparation for every game since Week 6.
Connections: Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron coached with Raiders LB coach Johnny Griffith with the Lions (2004-05). … Browns senior assistant Ray Rhodes and Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp coached together with the Texans (2010). … Browns DL coach Dwaine Board spent the 2009 season in the same capacity with the Raiders.
Stat you should know: The Browns rank seventh in the NFL with 13 INTs and 11th in sacks with 28, but no player has more than three of either. CB Haden leads the team with three picks, and LB Jackson, DEs Juqua Parker, Rucker and Sheard all have three sacks. … Cribbs had 41 catches for 518 yards in 2011. His playing time has been so limited this season that he has just six receptions for 54 yards. … The Browns (3-8) boast a better point differential (minus-39) than the 7-4 Colts (minus-43).
Looking ahead: The Browns' defense is emerging as one of the best in the league. If the offense hopes to join it, the time is now. The Raiders, Chiefs and Redskins struggle mightily on defense. The Browns are capable of concluding that stretch on a four-game winning streak. But until they prove they can consistently finish, it’s impossible to feel confidence that will happen.
Prediction: Browns 24, Raiders 20.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter at @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.