In a thrilling matchup, the Las Vegas Raiders dominated the Cleveland Browns in a nail-biting 20-16 victory on Sunday, securing their second win of the season. Led by Alexander Mattison and utilizing some well-executed designed runs for their speedy wide receivers, the Raiders showcased an impressive ground game, racking up a season-high 152 rushing yards against Cleveland. This performance helped compensate for the absence of key player Gardner Minshew, who was missing Davante Adams and managed to throw for 130 yards on 24 attempts.
Following the game, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce hinted on Monday that Mattison could see an increased role in the team’s backfield moving forward. Despite White being the team’s lead ball-carrier this season with 49 carries (ranking eighth in the NFL as of Monday), he has struggled to find success, averaging just 3.1 yards per attempt. White has yet to average more than 3.4 yards per carry in any game this season, with his -0.61 expected points added per carry being the lowest among running backs in the league with at least 30 carries prior to Sunday’s game.
On the other hand, Mattison has been a standout performer for the Raiders, averaging an impressive 5.1 yards per carry and totaling 167 yards on 24 touches in his first season with the team after spending five years with the Vikings.
The Raiders’ ground game was a key factor in their victory over the Browns, and with Mattison’s emergence as a reliable option in the backfield, Las Vegas looks poised to continue their success on the ground moving forward. As they prepare for their next challenge, the Raiders will look to build on their strong performance and continue to make strides in their rushing attack.
