Sloppy perhaps,but Browns still defeat Raiders.

It may have not been the most visual win ever and it certainly was not the most exciting,but a win counts the same either way and the Cleveland Browns earned a victory in the W column with a 23-13 triumph over the Oakland Raiders by Lake Erie.
Both Cleveland touchdowns came in the final quarter to burst the dam open and put the game away.
Andrew Hawkins caught a four yard pass from Brian Hoyer for one score and Ben Tate slammed up the middle from five yards out for the final touchdown.
Billy Cundiff was three for three on field goals earlier in the game to account for the rest of the Browns points.
Cleveland improved to 4-3 and will host Tampa Bay next Sunday...

Brownie Bits

1) I walked away from this one with a disappointing feeling competing with good feelings.
Disappointed that the Browns didn't have a great game,but feeling good because they didn't have a good week against Jacksonville and lost.
Sometimes progress isn't always when you play well.

2) The play of the game is shown above as Donte Whitner's pop on Darren McFadden ended a Raider drive that could have given them the lead (9-6 Browns at the time) and sparked the Browns to scoring their two touchdowns of the day.
Whitner's hit sent the ball flying right to Joe Haden,who returned the ball 34 yards.
That is the type of play that Whitner was signed to provide and he was able to give in this game...

3) The defense looked the best that it has all season in the win,although before getting too excited consider the competition.
Still the pass rush was improved and the secondary had a nice day.
Progress comes in small steps.

4) Paul Kruger had three sacks,a forced fumble and several hurries of Derek Carr and clearly was too much for the man blocking him,
I don't think Kruger is ever going to be an elite pass rusher,but I bet he can have the production of one if paired with another effective pass rusher....

5) Justin Gilbert is beginning to show why he was the highest rated corner (By me at least) and had his second straight solid game.
Cornerback is the toughest position in the league to step in right away and there are going to be struggles with any young player at the position,
I hope that this is just the beginning for Justin Gilbert...

6) Second straight week for a less than strong running game and I am growing concerned.
If you struggle to run against the Jaguars and Raiders (29th against the run)
,what will happen against better opposition?
Could this be on the line? Sure, to a degree.
The Browns just lost an elite center for the season in Alex Mack and you won't replace that this season,so of course the line isn't what it was,but they had better figure something out....

7) However,the runners aren't doing their part either
Ben Tate did score a touchdown,but averaged under two yards a carry for the game on fifteen carries and Terrence West added only eleven on seven totes.
What's missing on that? Isaiah Crowell,who caught one pass and carried the ball once for a yard.
Kyle Shanahan,who said three backs was a nice problem to have earlier in the season,recently said he wished one would break out of the pack.
Tate is the guy getting the action for now,but who knows who it will eventually be...

8) Another less than sterling performance from Brian Hoyer.
I like Hoyer,I do,and I'm not screaming for Johnny Manziel either.
Yet.
Hoyer was more accurate in this one (19 of 28) and he didn't get intercepted,but still too many erratic throws and too many drives ending in field goals.

9) A real cheap shot by Brandian Ross of the Raiders,who KO'ed Jordan Cameron with Cameron down on the ground after his only catch of the game.
Cameron left the game after the 21 yard gain with a possible concussion.
The Browns need to be gaining weapons,not losing them...

10) I came away impressed with Derek Carr in the loss for Oakland.
I thought he stayed in the pocket despite the rush and finished with over 300 yards despite limited weapons.
If the Raiders can keep him healthy,they might have found a winner in Carr......