The Cleveland Browns (1-1-1) have a better record entering Week 4 than the New England Patriots (1-2) do. I’m sure we all saw that coming. The Brownies ended a 19-game winless streak with a 21-17 victory over the visiting New York Jets last Thursday, which led to free Bud Light all over the city of Cleveland. Fans there were partying like the Browns won the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The last time Cleveland won back-to-back games? That would be when the team won three straight in Weeks 8-10 of the 2014 season with Brian Hoyer as the quarterback. Ironically, that streak began with a 23-13 win over the Oakland Raiders, who are this week’s opponent. The Browns will be looking for their first road victory since a 33-30 overtime victory in Baltimore in Week 5 in 2015.

As for the Raiders, they are 0-3 despite leading each game at halftime. Perhaps Jon Gruden already regrets leaving the comfort of the ESPN booth? Nah, probably not as he has a $100 million (U.S.) contract. The Raiders all but punted on the 2018 season when they traded defensive superstar Khalil Mack on the eve of the season to the Bears. He has been the best defender in the league so far, while the Raiders have no pass rush without him.

The Browns and Raiders last played in 2015, a 27-20 Oakland road win. They haven’t played in northern California since 2012.  This could well be Cleveland’s last trip to Oakland with the Raiders set to move to Las Vegas. The Browns are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine games in this series.

Cleveland Browns

The Baker Mayfield era has begun in Cleveland! The original plan, at least publicly, was for the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick to sit all season, or deep into it, and learn from solid veteran Tyrod Taylor. That all went out the window last Thursday when Taylor was struggling mightily and then left with a possible concussion. Mayfield rallied his team from a 14-0 deficit to the Jets to that scintillating 21-17 victory and became an immediate Browns legend – his jersey became one of the NFL’s top sellers overnight and Browns home tickets were selling like wildfire after. Mayfield finished 17-for-23 for 201 yards in just more than a half and had three passes dropped (and threw one away). The rookie won’t be giving that job back barring injury.

Oakland Raiders

Other than an international game, the Raiders traveled as far as possible Sunday as they visited Miami with one of those early Pacific time kickoffs. Oakland led 10-7 at the half and 17-14 midway through the fourth before falling prey to a couple of trick plays in the 28-20 loss. Derek Carr threw for 345 yards but was picked off twice. Ryan Tannehill picked apart that Raiders defence because there was no pass rush. Oakland is the only team with fewer than 20 quarterback pressures this year. Mack has 15 by himself with the Bears. Dating to last season, the Raiders have lost their past seven. So has Gruden as his 2008 Buccaneers lost their final four before he was canned.

Browns vs. Raiders Prediction