Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif. (turf, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Browns by 1
Forecast: Rain with wind up to 20 mph and temperatures in the low-60s.
Records: Raiders (Overall: 3-8, AFC West: 1-2); Browns (Overall: 3-8, AFC North: 2-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 16, 2011: Raiders 24, Browns 17; Dec. 27, 2009: Browns 23, Raiders 9. Series record: Raiders lead 11-8.
What matters: As if losing four straight games wasn't bad enough for the Raiders, they've had a drama-filled week that resulted Friday in the two-game suspension of starting MLB Rolando McClain for conduct detrimental to the team. The question is whether the Raiders will pack it in and start making offseason plans or play hard for the final five games. Motivation could be hard to come by for the Raiders on what's likely to be a rainy Sunday afternoon against the three-win Browns and before a small crowd. Ball security for the Raiders will be even more important than usual against a Browns team that forced eight turnovers last week in its 20-14 win over Pittsburgh. The Browns have lost 12 straight road games, a streak that began last year at Oakland.
Who matters: The Coliseum field is likely to be a muddy, slippery mess, which means 255-pound fullback-turned-running back Marcel Reece could see plenty of work. Although RBs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson returned to practice this week after missing three games with high-ankle sprains, Reece is expected to carry the load at halfback for the fourth straight game. QB Carson Palmer, coming off his worst performance of the season last week at Cincinnati, needs a bounce-back game. So do starting WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore, who combined for one catch against the Bengals. On defense, Omar Gaither will replace McClain in the lineup and make his first start as a Raider. He should be busy because Browns rookie RB Trent Richardson has touched the ball 250 times, carrying 209 times for 755 yards and six TDs and catching 41 passes for 316 yards and a score. If the Raiders can contain Richardson, then they can force Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden to pass.
Key matchups: Raiders RB Reece vs. Browns MLB D'Qwell Jackson: Reece has rushed for 225 yards on 47 carries the past three weeks, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Jackson leads the Browns with 85 tackles and is the reigning AFC defensive player of the week. He made a team-high nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble against Pittsburgh. ... Raiders defense vs. Browns QB Brandon Weeden: The Cleveland rookie has a passer rating of 70.9, which ranks 32nd in the NFL. He's thrown 13 interceptions and just 12 touchdowns. If he has a good day, the Raiders are in trouble. That's not hard to imagine. The Raiders' defense has allowed an average of 32.4 points per game and ranks 24th against the pass.
Injuries of note: McFadden and Goodson are listed as questionable and will be game-time decisions. Palmer jammed his right thumb last week against Cincinnati and was limited in practice Thursday, but he took all the reps Friday, and Raiders coach Dennis Allen said he was "good to go" for Sunday. Palmer's thumb shouldn't be an issue unless, of course, his thumb takes another hit Sunday. Starting DT Richard Seymour will miss his fourth straight game with hamstring and knee injuries, and rookie DE Jack Crawford (toe) has been ruled out.
Inside stuff: Rookie Juron Criner took over the job as Oakland's No. 3 wide receiver last week against Cincinnati, replacing fellow rookie Rod Streater. Criner, a fifth-round draft pick from Arizona, was on the field for a season-high 40 offensive plays and caught three passes for 23 yards.
Connections: Raiders CB/KR Coye Francies was drafted by the Browns in the sixth round in 2009 and played eight games for Cleveland from 2009-10. ... Browns C Alex Mack and OT Mitchell Schwartz played at Cal, and TE/FB Alex Smith played at Stanford. ... Browns S T.J. Ward is a Bay Area native who attended De La Salle High School in Concord.
Record watch: K Sebastian Janikowski, who will play his 200th career game as a Raider on Sunday, has made 49 consecutive field goals of 40 yards or fewer. He hasn't missed at that distance since Sept. 26, 2010.
Stats you should know: TE Brandon Myers has become Palmer's favorite target. He has 55 catches -- third most among NFL tight ends -- for 591 yards and three touchdowns. Twenty-six of catches have come in the fourth quarter, third most in the NFL.
Looking ahead: After Sunday's game, the Raiders will have a quick turnaround before facing Denver at home Thursday night. The following week they'll play their final home game of the season, against Kansas City. Then they'll finish the season with back-to-back road games at Carolina and San Diego.
Prediction: Raiders 21, Browns 20
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.
