Covid Bowl 2021 I: Las Vegas Raiders 6-7 @ Cleveland Browns 7-6 GDT - Game Start @ Dec. 20 5 PM ET

[Broncofan]

Well, by waiting 2 more days, so far the tally:

-Malik Mcdowell tested negative on Saturday, so he would have been cleared under the new policy

-G Wyatt Teller apparently has tested negative, so as long as he doesn't test positive tomorrow (yes that can happen), he's back.   That's a big boost.

-Unfortunately, T James Hurst, who was already replacing Jack Conklin at RT, is out (along with LT Jedrick Wills).   
 

-More Browns could in theory test negative tomorrow and get cleared to play, but the average time to a negative 1st test is 6 days, so most CLE players placed on protocol won't clear.   Still, guys like Wills, Jarvis Landry & Baker Mayfield are at the 5-6 day mark, so it's possible.   Big news dump by 330 PM ET tomorrow

 

Interestingly, the weather was set to be absolutely miserable on Saturday night, but now it's a sunny day, with 10-12 MPH winds.   

[notthatbluestuff]

If the Browns win, they're 1st in the division. If they lose, they're last in the division. 

[DawgX]

We're still gonna be missing a ton of players, and we were already playing lousy football. I'll be shocked if the Raiders lose. Not saying it'll be a blow out, but I just don't see us coming out with a W despite us desperately needing this win.

[Johnny Nix]

The AFC North hangs in the balance. 

[Broncofan]

Waiting 2 days got G Wyatt Teller back - but it lost RT James Hurst.   And turns out McDowell didn’t get cleared.  Teller helps the IOL but losing both T vs. the Raiders’ EDGEs that’s a big problem.  
 

The only plausible path to victory for CLE I see: 

-Get the lead

-Lean on run game 

-Get TO / negative plays from the LV O when they pass.   Garrett / Ward need to be heroic on an epic scale.  
 

If the Browns can be 2+ in TO’s they have a shot.  Because every dog has a shot in that scenario.   But if CLE can’t run the ball and has to rely on Mullens vs the LV pass rush, and LV O can lean on the run game with a lead….yeah, big problem.   And as the game wears on if the CLE O can’t stay on the field the risk of the D wearing down is massive.  
 

It’s never impossible.  There’s a path.  But it’s a narrow and long one.  

Edited December 20, 2021 by Broncofan

[agarcia34]

This Raiders team is trash. Coaching staff is dumb as rocks.., Just lose Baby 

[candyman93]

Nate Hobbs is out for the Raiders.

[agarcia34]

NFLN crew begging the Raiders to run the ball…. Obviously they have not seen this team try to run block..

[candyman93]

Browns need to put Myles against the Raiders right side of their offensive line. So twists and stunts with him.

 

They also need Denzel Ward on Hunter Renfrow.

[MWil23]

Everyone is waiting with anticipation for some stupid Cinderella story that won’t transpire. Raiders in a blowout 31-6.

[candyman93]

Joel Bitonio might start at LT for tonight’s game.

[AFlaccoSeagulls]

I need the Raiders to win, BUT I also need Josh Jacobs to do nothing AND Nick Chubb to have like a million points.

[MWil23]

Just now, AFlaccoSeagulls said:

I need the Raiders to win, BUT I also need Josh Jacobs to do nothing AND Nick Chubb to have like a million points.

So you need a shootout with the Browns run D showing up when they have 2 of their Front 7 active tonight?

LOL

[candyman93]

Just now, MWil23 said:

2 of their Front 7 active tonight

To be fair, it’s 2/3 of the our best players on the front 7.

[AFlaccoSeagulls]

1 minute ago, MWil23 said:

So you need a shootout with the Browns run D showing up when they have 2 of their Front 7 active tonight?

LOL

yeahhhhhhhhh.......