Raiders’ youngsters step up for ‘building block’ win against Browns
The Raiders were down six starters Sunday, including the heart and soul of their offense and defense in wide receiver Davante Adams and defensive end Maxx Crosby.
That means they were forced to put their fate into the hands of a collection of youngsters against the Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The baby Raiders, time and time again, responded in a 20-16 win that leaves the team at 2-2 almost a quarter of the way through the 2024 season.
It’s a modest record, but one that keeps the franchise from falling into an early hole that could sabotage its postseason chances. It also shows the group’s resilience, as it bounced back from an embarrassing 36-22 home loss to the Panthers last week.
The Raiders’ locker room was relieved afterwards given what was at stake.
“It’s a great feeling just to be that next man up,” said fourth-year wide receiver DJ Turner, whose 18-yard touchdown run on a fly sweep put the Raiders up 20-10 with 5:23 left in the third quarter. “And for them to let us feel that faith they had in us was great.”
Youth powers offense
The Raiders were inspired by a pregame speech from Adams, who reminded his young teammates they have excelled in football their whole lives.
Turner was one of many who took it to heart.
“(Adams) kind of got us going,” Turner said. “It’s such a great feeling, and it helps you play a little bit better. It helps you play faster, more confident.”
Second-year wide receiver Tre Tucker was another player that heeded Adams’ words. Tucker’s 3-yard rushing touchdown 5:10 into the second quarter pulled the Raiders within 10-7 after they trailed 10-0 following Cleveland’s first two drives.
The 2023 third-round pick also had five receptions for 41 yards. Tucker credited coach Antonio Pierce for giving the Raiders’ young players confidence.
“He’s a don’t-blink, don’t-flinch guy,” Tucker said. “So, everybody has to be ready. The young guys, myself included, everybody is ready to run through a wall for him.”
Other young players that contributed included rookie offensive linemen DJ Glaze and Jackson Powers-Johnson, who started at right tackle and left guard, respectively. Right tackle Thayer Munford Jr. missed the game with knee and ankle injuries, while Powers-Johnson replaced veteran Cody Whitehair.
Glaze and Powers-Johnson helped the Raiders amass a season-high 152 rushing yards. The team had just 153 yards on the ground its first three games, the fewest in the NFL by far.
“That’s what we’re looking for,” Pierce said.
Defense steps up late
The Raiders’ defense got a great performance from third-year safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who started in place of injured safety Marcup Epps.
Pola-Mao had a sack and a fourth-quarter pass breakup in his first career start. He led a defense that didn’t allow a point to the Browns (1-3) the final three quarters despite missing Crosby, Epps, defensive end Malcolm Koonce and linebacker Divine Deablo.
It was the end of a hectic week for Pola-Mao, whose wife is going to be induced into labor Monday.
“I tried my hardest to compartmentalize, but it’s especially tough with my son on the way,” Pola-Mao said. “Now that this is over, I can start looking forward to that.”
Charles Snowden, a practice-squad player his first three years in the NFL, helped the Raiders close the door on the Browns in the final minutes.
Cleveland trailed 20-10 after three quarters, but returned a fumble by running back Zamir White for a touchdown to start the fourth. The Browns missed the ensuing extra point to make their deficit 20-16.
Cleveland got close to a game-winning touchdown after receiving the ball with 3:17 remaining before Snowden started making plays.
The defensive end batted down a pass from Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on a second-and-16 from the Raiders’ 22-yard-line. Snowden then chased Watson down two plays later on a fourth-and-3 for a sack that sealed the win.
Snowden icing it 🥶#CLEvsLV | 📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/S0wru9N1Na
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 29, 2024
“We knew we had to bring it,” Snowden said. “(Crosby) is the best defensive player in the league. Without him, we knew we had to take a step up. Maxx was engaged all week, coaching us up and was a great presence for us.”
Snowden was one of many Raiders players who rose to the challenge Sunday. The result was a win that can give the team some optimism about its present and future.
“When you have that many young guys, first- and second-year players, step up and have an impact on the game to help us win, that’s a building block for us going forward,” Pierce said.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.