The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 4 matchup between the Raiders and Browns.
Find a breakdown of every Week 4 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| Cleveland | Rank | @ | Las Vegas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spread | -1 | ||
| 18.25 | Implied Total | 19.25 | ||
| 16.7 | 25 | Points/Gm | 19.3 | 17 |
| 22.3 | 20 | Points All./Gm | 27 | 27 |
| 66 | 6 | Plays/Gm | 59.3 | 18 |
| 61.3 | 18 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 62.3 | 22 |
| 3.8 | 31 | Off. Yards/Play | 5 | 22 |
| 5 | 12 | Def. Yards/Play | 6.1 | 29 |
| 33.33% | 30 | Rush% | 30.90% | 32 |
| 66.67% | 3 | Pass% | 69.10% | 1 |
| 42.39% | 14 | Opp. Rush % | 45.45% | 19 |
| 57.61% | 19 | Opp. Pass % | 54.55% | 14 |
- The Browns’ -47.7 EPA on offense is the lowest three weeks since the Jets in 2021 (-53.6 EPA) and their lowest as a franchise through three games in the 2000s.
- The -39.9 EPA passing by the Browns is the third-worst for any team through three weeks of the 2000s.
- The Raiders’ rushing average per three weeks is the league’s worst, at -27.4 EPA. Only 6 teams have been worse through three weeks of an NFL season in the 2000s.
- The Browns are a league-worst 8-of-43 (18.6%) on third downs, compared to the league average of 37.0%.
- 13.1% of Cleveland offensive plays have gained 10 or more yards, the lowest rate in the NFL.
- 13.5% of the Cleveland drives have reached the red zone or scored prior, the lowest rate in the league.
- The Raiders are at 21.6%, 30th in the league.
- The Raiders allow 5.7 scoring plays per game, tied for the most in the league.
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson: Watson and this Cleveland passing attack struggled again on Sunday.
He completed 21-of-37 passes (56.8%) for 196 yards (5.3 Y/A) but put together another usable fantasy line for a QB2 with 2 touchdowns and 26 yards rushing.
Watson has closed the past two weeks as QB11 (15.4 points) and QB15 (16.4 points) in part with his legs, but he still has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game despite leading the NFL in dropbacks.
As much as I would like to pile on Watson because his play is still the center of the problems, the injuries on the offensive line and Kevin Stefanski’s coaching job this season haven’t done him any favors.
Cleveland got Jedrick Wills back last week, only to lose him again during the game.
Wyatt Teller left with an injury.
James Hudson left with an injury.
Dawand Jones left with an injury but had to return after Hudson was injured.
Teller will miss multiple weeks, and they still have not had Jack Conklin available to play.
Cleveland’s pass block win rate per ESPN is 60.2%, the lowest mark in the Stefanski era.
Watson has been pressured on 44.7% of his dropbacks, ahead of only Jacoby Brissett. (46.4%).
When pressured, Watson averages 3.7 yards per pass attempt, 29th in the league.
Cleveland is also running a static offensive system.
That could be because of the issues on the line or with Watson in general, but they use play action just 18.9% of the time (27th) and pre-snap motion 19.1% (31st).
This offense has zero easy buttons in it.
That said, Watson is turning in viable QB2 weeks for fantasy.
I would not start him in 1QB formats, but this is another usable matchup for 2QB gamers.
Maxx Crosby has an ankle injury and will not play, while the Raiders are already last in the NFL in terms of pressure rate (20.4%).
The Raiders are 25th in passing points allowed per attempt (0.478).
Gardner Minshew: All of the immediate goodwill that Minshew built up with his Week 2 comeback in Baltimore was erased on Sunday.
Minshew was pulled late in a blowout loss to Carolina after he completed a season-low 64.3% of his passes while throwing his third interception.
Minshew will start on Sunday, but it is hard to gauge how reactionary Antonio Pierce can be. He could turn back to Aidan O’Connell at any moment.
Minshew was already not a reliable fantasy option, aside from being used as a back-end QB2.
He has been QB21, QB19, and QB19 in his three starts this season.
The Browns are middle-of-the-pack as a pass defense, allowing 0.390 passing points per attempt (14th), but are allowing only 6.6 yards per attempt (11th) and a 3.1% touchdown rate (12th).
Running Back
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More Week 4 Fantasy Breakdowns From The Worksheet:
| Matchup | Time |
|---|---|
| Cowboys @ Giants -- FREE | Thursday Night Football |
| Broncos @ Jets | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Saints @ Falcons | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Rams @ Bears | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Vikings @ Packers | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Steelers @ Colts | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Eagles @ Bucs | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Bengals @ Panthers | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Jaguars @ Texans | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Commanders @ Cardinals | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Patriots @ 49ers | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Browns @ Raiders | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Chiefs @ Chargers | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Bills @ Ravens | Sunday Night Football |
| Titans @ Dolphins -- FREE | Monday Night Football |
| Seahawks @ Lions -- FREE | Monday Night Football |
