Fansided

NFL Week 8: 3 teams on upset alert this Sunday

By Mike Phillips

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 25: Tyler Kroft #81 of the Buffalo Bills makes the catch for a reception as Ashtyn Davis #32 of the New York Jets defends in the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 25, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 25: Tyler Kroft #81 of the Buffalo Bills makes the catch for a reception as Ashtyn Davis #32 of the New York Jets defends in the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 25, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

The Browns should be on upset alert against the Raiders

If you were to look purely at the Browns’ 5-2 record it would be a clear indication that Cleveland is a postseason contender. The Browns would be headed to the playoffs if the year ended today but a look under the hood exposes some worries with Cleveland.

Four of Cleveland’s five victories have come against Cincinnati, Dallas and Washington, which left Week 7 with a combined record of 5-15-1. Cleveland has played two games against elite teams and got smacked in both, losing to the Ravens and Steelers by a combined score of 76-12.

Those results lead to the belief that the Browns are a paper tiger who can bully bad teams while struggling against the top tier competition. Cleveland is a three-point home favorite this week against the Las Vegas Raiders, who are a very dangerous team since they have a road win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium under their belts.

The loss of Odell Beckham to a knee injury could lead to major repercussions for the Browns, who have to find a way to win this game for tiebreaker purposes in the playoff race. The Raiders also are desperate for a win after falling to Tampa Bay last week so this game could be dangerous for the Browns if they aren’t up to the task of defending their home turf against Las Vegas.

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