Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds For Baker Mayfield's First Start

Nevermind the fact that the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders are the two worst franchises of the last 15 years and have just one combined win in Week 4. Their matchup Sunday afternoon in Oakland is easily one of the most intriguing on the upcoming NFL schedule.

After being favored at home and winning their first game in 635 days, Cleveland will attempt to put together back-to-back victories for the first time in nearly four years. The Browns are 2.5-point underdogs on the road, according to OddsShark, and the over/under is 45.

There’s no doubt that Cleveland has been the better team through three weeks. The Browns played to a tie and nearly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener. In Week 2, they entered the fourth quarter with a nine-point lead on the road against the New Orleans Saints, only to lose because of multiple kicking mishaps. Cleveland was on the verge of another loss in Week 3 before Bake Mayfield saved the day when he replaced an injured Tyrod Taylor.

Oakland is one of three winless teams, though they’ve had their opportunities. The Raiders actually had a halftime lead over the now-seemingly unbeatable Los Angeles Rams before being outscored 23-0 in the second half. Oakland lost on a last-second field goal in Denver the following week, and they blew a fourth-quarter lead in Week 3 against the undefeated Miami Dolphins.

The Raiders need a win after coming close three weeks in a row. Will they be able to get one at home against a rookie quarterback?

Much of it will depend on Mayfield, who showed why Cleveland drafted him with the first overall pick. In a little over two quarters against the Jets, the quarterback completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards, and he played even better than his 100.1 passer rating would indicate. Taylor and the offense held Cleveland back in the first two weeks in a pair of very winnable games.

New York wasn’t prepared to face Mayfield. Jets’ safety Jamal Adams admitted as much, and the Browns were headed for another loss with Taylor under center. Let’s see if the rookie can match that performance in his first-ever start while playing on the west coast against a team that’s essentially playing for their season.

Oakland’s defense isn’t good, though it probably isn’t as bad as it’s looked at times this year, considering who they’ve played. The Rams are second in yards per play, and the Raiders actually played them tougher on defense than anyone. The Dolphins are sixth in yards per play after beating Oakland.

Against a mediocre Broncos’ offense, the Raiders allowed just 20 points as Case Keenum was limited to a 61.8 passer rating. Don’t be surprised if Mayfield’s numbers aren’t much better.

Moving the ball against Cleveland won’t be easy for Oakland. The Browns are sixth in opponents yards per play after facing two of the NFL’s best offenses. They haven’t allowed more than 21 points in any game.

Derek Carr has actually played fairly well since throwing three picks in Week 1, completing 78.9 percent of his passes. If he can make fewer mistakes that Mayfield, the Raiders have a good chance to come away with their first win of 2018.

Prediction: Oakland over Cleveland, 20-13