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Versus: Quarterback play and ground game for both teams could be huge factors in Raiders-Browns matchup

The Las Vegas Raiders have a prime opportunity to bounce back from a tough loss.

They'll be hosting their second consecutive game at Allegiant Stadium, this time against the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns, like the Raiders, are on the brink of falling to a 1-3 record. Cleveland is coming into the game with various injuries on both sides of the ball, but won't be without a sense of urgency. The same can be said for the Silver and Black, not wanting to come out lacking energy reminiscent to their Week 3 defeat.

"Ready to work, new week, 24-hour rule, you move on," Antonio Pierce said. "You watch the film on Monday. It's a new week, another opportunity. ... We're not throwing out our parachutes and jumping off the plane. We're good. It was a loss and it was a tough loss, and we move on."

Let's dive into a few key matchups to focus on heading into the Week 4 contest.

Gardner Minshew vs. Deshaun Watson

This quarterback matchup could arguably determine the outcome of the game more than any positional matchup.

These opposing quarterbacks are still in the process of finding their groove in their respective offenses, with Gardner Minshew II showing glimpses of success early in the season. Through three games, the Raiders quarterback is top five in the league in completion percentage (73.7%) and passings first downs (36). The Silver and Black offense has also scored touchdowns on 71.4 percent of their trips to the red zone.

The glaring area of concern for Minshew in midst of the success: turnovers. He's thrown three interceptions along with a fumble lost.

"A lot of that's on me. ... I have to do a better job," Minshew said. "If I take care of the ball, we're usually going to be alright. That's going to be a big emphasis for us this week."

As for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, not much has gone his way this season. The Browns are the 25th ranked scoring offense in the league, averaging 16.7 points a contest. Watson has completed less than 60 percent of passes while being sacked a league-leading 16 times in three games. Nevertheless, the three-time Pro Bowler has shown in times past that he can be an elite quarterback in this league, something the Raiders defense must remember Sunday.

"I've seen some really good throws last week out there on the perimeter, both to Amari Cooper," Pierce said about Watson. "The deep ball is there, obviously the ability to scramble, to run, to extend the plays. That's something we're going to have to work on again this week, no different than against like a Lamar Jackson type, a guy that can move in the pocket. But listen, he's played a lot of football, and when he's on, he's on."

Maxx Crosby vs. Myles Garrett

In this matchup between two elite pass rushers, they're faced with doing whatever they can to step on the field Sunday.

Both Maxx Crosby and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett are battling lower body injuries. That hasn't stopped either of them from getting on the field, as Crosby had three tackles and a pass deflection against the Panthers and Garrett totaled three quarterback hits against the New York Giants in Week 3. Throughout Crosby's career, he's played through various injuries including a knee injury that plagued him most of last season. Nevertheless, he still set career highs in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (23).

"Maxx gave us everything he has," Pierce said. "He's done that each and every week since I've been here, when I was watching from afar, you can never question his passion, his desire and his will to win for the Raiders organization. That just needs to be matched amongst the rest of the team and the defense. And I think this is another week for a great opportunity for guys to step up with Maxx, and we'll see what happens."

Garrett has compiled two sacks on the year while fighting a foot, Achilles and thigh injury, according to the injury report. He's without a doubt the focal point of the Browns defense, pulling enough attention from opposing offenses for his teammates to shine around him.

"He's a Hall of Fame player. I mean, he'll be in the Hall of Fame," Davante Adams said of Garrett. "It is what it is, he's one of the best to do it at his position. He's the most like Maxx Crosby I've seen as far as play style, effort, ability, bendiness and motor – all of that stuff. He's got it all."

Raiders run offense vs. Browns run defense

Despite the Raiders' run game struggles through three games, getting Zamir White involved is still a priority for the Raiders.

As the team adjusts to Luke Getsy's zone run offense, they've averaged a league-low 2.8 yards per carry. The results have been shocking considering the potential White showcased at the end of last season.

The offensive line is also still tinkering with different combinations to maximize on the rushing attack. For one thing, rookies DJ Glaze and Jackson Powers-Johnson could potentially see more reps amid injuries and as they get accustomed to the pro level. Running the ball efficiently will hopefully open up the playbook against a Browns defense that's allowing over four yards a carry.

"You've always got to start with the scheme and how you're coaching, and how you are coaching the technique throughout the week," said Pierce on improving the run game. "What are you showing the players? Are you hitting the top three runs, top five runs, or are you showing everything that they do right? At the end of the day, most teams don't have a plethora of runs, right? There's a handful of runs and you know that going into the game, what you need to stop. ... It's scheme, it's technique, it's players and there's adjustments."

The Las Vegas Raiders attended the Clark County Latino Festival where fans were able to participate in activities and giveaways and watch a performance by the Raiderettes.

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