Cleveland Browns

The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-14 on Monday. The game was rescheduled from Saturday because of a COVID-19 outbreak within Cleveland's organization.

The Raiders ended a two-game skid and improved to 7-7. Derek Carr finished with 236 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Daniel Carlson drilled a game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired.

.@DanielCarlson38’s kick is GOOD. @Raiders win! #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/AESRInShN1

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2021

Nick Mullens threw for 147 yards and a touchdown as the Browns fell to 7-7. Nick Chubb added 91 rushing yards and a score.

Cleveland was without several key players who are in the health and safety protocols, including starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, backup quarterback Case Keenum, wide receiver Jarvis Landry, tight end Austin Hooper and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was also forced to miss the game.

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Notable Stats

Derek Carr, QB, LV: 25-of-38 for 236 YDS, TD, INT

Nick Mullens, QB, CLE: 20-of-30 for 147 YDS, TD

Nick Chubb, RB, CLE: 23 CAR for 91 YDS, TD

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Raiders Win Despite Defensive Breakdown in Second Half

Las Vegas entered the game ranked 26th in the NFL after allowing an average of 125.3 yards on the ground. The Browns entered with the fourth-ranked rushing offense at 143.5 yards per game. That recipe would have seemed to spell disaster for the Raiders, but for much of Monday's game Cleveland was completely stifled by Las Vegas.

While facing a third string quarterback, the Las Vegas defense completely focused on shutting down Cleveland's vaunted rushing attack. The Browns were held to just 12 yards on the ground in the first half.

Browns with 12 yards on 7 carries. No need for any adjustments for Raiders defense.
Another 10-point half on offense should be more than enough.

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 20, 2021

Chubb, who entered the game ranked fifth in the NFL with 926 rushing yards, had just 19 yards on his first nine carries. But he finally broke through with a 24-yard run in the third quarter that led to a four-yard touchdown.

24 bursts through for 24 yards! @NickChubb21

📺: #LVvsCLE on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/DL75sQUMR5 pic.twitter.com/sKJr83m8JZ

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2021

Just give the ball to @NickChubb21.@Browns cut the deficit to three.

📺: #LVvsCLE on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/DL75sQUMR5 pic.twitter.com/NmLUQxVaOw

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2021

As the game wore on, the Raiders defense looked worn out. Chubb continued to chug away and kept Las Vegas on its heels. Cleveland put together a 14-play, 80-yard drive to take the lead.

Things looked bleak for the Raiders when Carr threw an interception on the ensuing possession with a little over two minutes left. But the defense held up and forced the Browns to punt, giving Carr one more chance and he delivered to set up the winning field goal.

That defensive stand was huge. Carlson's third FG keeps Raiders alive in playoff race at 7-7.

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 21, 2021

Las Vegas desperately needed to win on Sunday to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Raiders could have folded when Cleveland went ahead late in the fourth quarter, but the team showed its grit to steal a road win. Las Vegas will have to continue to grind out close games to give itself a chance at competing for a spot in the postseason.

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Browns Can't Overcome Short-handed Roster

Cleveland did what it needed to do to put itself in position to win despite missing so many key players. But the Browns just couldn't hold on when it mattered most, allowing the Raiders to march down the field for the game-winning field goal.

Cleveland should be commended for the fight it showed while playing with so many replacement players. Mullens made timely throws in the fourth quarter to spearhead a second-half comeback. Browns leading receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones made some big catches on third down to help set up the go-ahead touchdown.

When Cleveland made it down to the red zone, acting head coach Mike Priefer didn't hesitate to go for it on fourth-and-5 and Mullens delivered with a touchdown pass to Bryant.

WE’VE GOT OURSELVES A GAME. @NickMullens @Browns take a 14-13 lead with 3:45 to go!

📺: #LVvsCLE on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/DL75sQUMR5 pic.twitter.com/mgpHAv5Ixs

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2021

The Browns also made more of a concerted effort to feed Chubb in the second half. The workhorse back had just 14 yards on six carries in the first half and finished with 91 yards and a score on 23 carries to surpass 1,000 yards for the third straight season.

Cleveland had a chance to take over first place in the AFC North with a win. But the depleted roster proved too much for the team to overcome.

The Browns are still alive in the playoff hunt, but Monday's loss is a major setback to the team's chances.

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What's Next?

The Raiders will return to action on Sunday at home against the Denver Broncos. The Browns will have a short week as they travel to take on the Green Bay Packers on Saturday.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will not coach in Monday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19 last Wednesday and has not cleared protocols.

The Week 15 matchup was initially scheduled for Saturday but postponed until Monday due to an outbreak in the Browns' organization, although the squad will still be significantly shorthanded for the game:

A full list of who the #Browns will be missing tonight, and who remains on the COVID list: pic.twitter.com/8rxm7Sat0K

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 20, 2021

Mike Priefer will serve as acting head coach while offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call plays. 

Priefer also served as the Browns' acting head coach in the playoffs last year when Stefanski was out due to COVID-19 protocols. Cleveland earned a 48-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in that game, the franchise's first postseason victory in 26 years.

The 55-year-old is in his third year with the Browns as the special teams coordinator.

Van Pelt is in his second season as the team's offensive coordinator, but he will hope calling the plays himself could turn things around for an offense that is averaging just 13.5 points over its last four games.

Cleveland ranks 19th in the NFL in points per game this year but only topped 20 points in two of the last eight games. Scoring will likely remain difficult without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield or backup Case Keenum.

Nick Mullens is projected to start at quarterback for the Browns.

Even shorthanded, this is an especially important game for Cleveland with the AFC packed tightly together in the standings. Monday's result has major implications on the team's position.

If the Browns win tonight, they'll be the 4th overall seed in the AFC.

If they lose, they'll be the 12th seed 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tfJrtP8Y6T

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 20, 2021

Cleveland's remaining coaching staff will try to get the most out of the players on the active roster.   

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is reportedly going to miss Monday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium because of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported both Mayfield and Browns backup Case Keenum weren't able clear protocols, so Nick Mullens will start at QB against the Raiders.

Baker Mayfield's wife, Emily, later posted on Twitter that her husband did what he could to be cleared for the game:

https://twitter.com/emilywmayfield6/status/1472957120416997380

Mayfield has battled injuries for the majority of the 2021 season, namely a left shoulder issue that will require surgery in the offseason. He's also played through heel, groin and knee problems. 

The 26-year-old has posted 2,603 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 62.8 percent of his passes in 12 games.

With the injuries and some inconsistent play has come criticism. But as Mayfield told NFL Network's Kurt Warner in early December, that noise hasn't only been external:

"It's night and day compared to where I was heading into last week" @bakermayfield sat down with @kurt13warner to talk about how he and the @Browns will finish up the season 👇 pic.twitter.com/YBPgVDjVPM

— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) December 12, 2021

It comes down to trying to find an even balance of listening to those opinions around you that truly matter—friends, family, teammates—and that's been the tricky part about this year. [It] has been a lot of internal things. It hasn't been just outside noise. I have to be myself and try to do my job at 100 percent. The guys that truly know me understand that. We need to take care of business in the building, and I need to be myself for these guys.

From the Hue Jackson days to the fallout with Odell Beckham Jr., there haven't been many dull moments for Mayfield in Cleveland. And this year's injuries haven't made things any easier. 

Meanwhile, Mullens will make his first start for the Browns after signing with the team in September. He made 16 starts across four years with the San Francisco 49ers (2017-20).

Kyle Lauletta, who was signed off the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad Friday, will handle the backup role Monday.

Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is holding out hope that he can clear protocols in time to play in Monday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mayfield announced on Instagram that he experienced no symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 and he's praying that he can test negative prior to the game.

Baker Mayfield saying he’s had no symptoms on his IG, hoping to test negative to play tomorrow. #Browns pic.twitter.com/tnS8SCoKV7

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 19, 2021

Cleveland's game against Las Vegas was originally scheduled for Saturday but was moved to Monday at 5 p.m. ET because of a spike in players being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Browns have until 2 p.m. that day to activate players off the list in time for them to be able to play.

Both Mayfield and backup quarterback Case Keenum were among the players to be placed on the list within the previous week. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry and safety John Johnson are also on the list.

The Browns activated offensive lineman Wyatt Teller off the list Sunday, and he will be available to play against the Raiders. Cleveland still has 23 players on the list, including 11 starters. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was placed on the list Sunday.

If Mayfield and Keenum are unable to play Monday, the Browns will likely start Nick Mullens under center. The fourth-year signal-caller played in 10 games for the San Francisco 49ers last season, throwing for 2,437 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Cleveland also signed quarterback Kyle Lauletta on Friday to potentially fill in as the team's backup.

Browns running back Kareem Hunt is among eight Cleveland players who were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, the team announced. 

Safety Grant Delpit, linebacker Tony Fields II, cornerback A.J. Green, safety Ronnie Harrison Jr., quarterback Case Keenum, linebacker Jacob Phillips and linebacker Mack Wilson were also placed on the list. 

In addition, the Browns announced that offensive assistant coach T.C. McCartney tested positive for COVID-19. 

Cleveland now has a total of 24 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Other players on the list include quarterback Baker Mayfield, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver Jarvis Landry.

The NFL has already announced that Saturday's Browns-Las Vegas Raiders game has been moved to Monday at 5 p.m. ET because of the team's outbreak. 

Aside from being placed on the COVID-19 list, Hunt has been banged up at various times already this season. He missed five straight games due to an ankle injury suffered in Cleveland's 37-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 17. 

After returning in Week 12, the Toledo product played sparingly in the Browns' next two games. He had seven carries for 20 yards on Nov. 28 against the Baltimore Ravens. He only played 13 snaps in Week 14 vs. the Ravens because of an ankle injury suffered in the first quarter. 

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Hunt was scheduled to undergo a precautionary MRI on Dec. 13. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported he could have gone back into the Ravens game if needed. 

Injuries have been a problem for the Browns throughout the season. Baker Mayfield has already missed one game because of a shoulder injury, while Nick Chubb missed one game with an injury and another when he was on the reserve/COVID-19 list. 

Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Njoku have also all missed at least one game. 

Chubb will remain in his role as Cleveland's starting running back. He's been fantastic this season, with 926 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 167 carries in 10 games to his name. 

D'Ernest Johnson will likely take Hunt's spot as the primary backup in the Browns' backfield. 

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward is one of many players unhappy with the NFL's decision to move his team's game this week:

I’m sure the @NFLPA president playing for the Browns didn’t have any effect on these negotiations… pic.twitter.com/MZ95eVyOiz

— Casey Hayward (@show_case29) December 17, 2021

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Raiders' game against the Cleveland Browns initially scheduled for Saturday will now be played on Monday at 5 p.m. ET. Schefter also reports the game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks will be moved to Tuesday night, along with the NFC East battle between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team.

Other NFL players had negative reaction to games being moved:

https://twitter.com/bigplay24slay/status/1471927143844270085

I pay my player dues just to get lied to and the rules bent! @NFL @NFLPA

If it was the other way around I swear we would be playing tomorrow

— KJ Wright (@KJ_WRIGHT34) December 17, 2021

NFL & Owners told teams before the season no games would be re-scheduled. They reiterated that teams would have to just forfeit the game. Am I lying?🤔 See how fast NFL will switch up to what benefits them & their money. If players only understood this don’t work without them.😎

— Tre Boston (@TreBos10) December 17, 2021

Wow!!!!

— fletcher cox (@fcoxx_91) December 17, 2021

These decisions come amid massive COVID-19 outbreaks around the league.

The Browns have 24 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, per Jake Trotter of ESPN, including starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum. Jadeveon Clowney, Mack Wilson and Tony Fields II were all added to the reserve list on Friday morning. The Rams and Washington have had similar issues this week.

Hayward believes Browns center J.C. Tretter, who is the current president of the NFL Players' Association, helped influence the decision to postpone the game.

The shorthanded teams would have been at a significant competitive disadvantage if the game was played as scheduled, but the league said it wouldn't postpone games for that reason this season.

NFL memo from July stated: "Absent medical considerations or government directives, games will not be postponed or rescheduled simply to avoid roster issues caused by injury or illness affecting multiple players, even within a position group." https://t.co/v6nAdLe0zi

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 17, 2021

As NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted, games were postponed in 2020 because of evidence of ongoing spread. The three Browns players added to the COVID-19 list on Friday seemingly indicates that the virus is still spreading around the organization.

That game is still an important one as both the Raiders (6-7) and Browns (7-6) look to play their way into the playoffs. Both sides are clearly looking to get a fair opportunity ahead of the Week 15 battle.

Washington (6-7) and Philadelphia (6-7) are looking to climb up the division standings in the NFC East, while the Rams (9-4) will try to keep up in the NFC West if they can defeat Seahawks (5-8).  

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have decided to postpone Saturday's game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns until Monday,  while Sunday's Seattle Seahawks-Rams and Washington Football Team-Philadelphia Eagles games will be played Tuesday, according to a statement from the league:

The NFL officially announces three games were moved from this weekend pic.twitter.com/YPdyEh3Bw3

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2021

CBS Sports' Josina Anderson first reported the news. 

The Browns are working through a COVID-19 outbreak in their organization.

Two other games, the Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams and Washington Football Team vs. Philadelphia Eagles, were also postponed:

Cleveland had 24 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Friday morning, per ESPN's Jake Trotter. That includes players who've been on the list since last week and those added leading up to the Raiders game, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield called on the NFL to delay the game for player safety:

Actually caring about player safety would mean delaying the game with this continuing at the rate it is….
But to say you won’t test vaccinated players if they don’t have symptoms, then to pull this randomly. Doesn’t make any sense to me.

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 16, 2021

The league released a statement Thursday saying it would alter the COVID-19 protocols, including changes to the return-to-play requirements after positive tests:

Throughout the pandemic we have continuously evolved our protocols to meet our goal of advancing the safety of the players, coaches and staff. The changes we are making today aim to address the increase in cases and the advent of the Omicron variant. Effective immediately, all clubs will implement preventative measures that have proven effective: masking regardless of vaccination status, remote or outdoor meetings, eliminating in-person meals, and no outside visitors while on team travel. We will continue to strongly encourage booster shots as the most effective protection. Finally, and based on expert advice, we will adjust the return-to-participation requirements for those who have recovered from COVID-19. All of these changes are grounded in our data and science-backed approach, with safety our number-one goal for the entire NFL community.

Cleveland isn't the only team that faces severe coronavirus issues. The Chicago Bears, Rams and Washington each have at least 10 players on the COVID list too, per CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo and Cody Benjamin.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the league could postpone multiple Week 15 games as a result, but only if there's evidence of continued virus spread and not for competitive reasons:

The NFL has made clear the past two seasons it won’t postpone games for competitive reasons (e.g. the #Broncos playing with no QBs, etc.). But it did reschedule several games last season in cases where there was evidence of ongoing COVID spread. This would be a medical decision.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 17, 2021

All 32 teams' bye weeks are completed, so the remaining schedule has limited flexibility. Last year saw multiple postponements throughout the season, but enough time remained to fit in all the games.

Any need to add an extra week at the end of the new 18-week season would impact the playoff schedule and potentially eliminate the off week between the conference title games and the Super Bowl when the Pro Bowl is typically played. Last season's Pro Bowl was played virtually on the Madden video game because of the pandemic.

In turn, the NFL would prefer short-term delays of a few days to avoid widescale schedule changes with four weeks left in the regular season.

The Cleveland Browns have reportedly signed Kyle Lauletta off the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad to serve as their backup quarterback for Saturday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of expected COVID-19 absences, including starter Baker Mayfield.

Lauletta's agent, Mike McCarthy, confirmed the signing.

Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported Friday the Browns are signing both Lauletta and free-agent quarterback Jake Dolegala, who will serve as the No. 3 emergency QB.

Nick Mullens, who's in line to start against the Raiders, was the only active signal-caller on the roster with both Mayfield and Case Keenum on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Lauletta spent the second half of the 2020 season on the Browns' practice squad. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the organization in January but was released following this year's preseason. He joined the Jags' practice squad a few days later.

The 26-year-old University of Richmond product has only appeared in two regular-season games since the New York Giants selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He failed to complete any of his five throws in those relief appearances for the G-Men that year.

Lauletta enjoyed a solid college career with the Spiders. He compiled 85 total touchdowns (73 passing and 12 rushing) and 35 interceptions across 40 appearances.

His knowledge of the Browns offense should allow him to handle the unit if forced to play in a pinch against the Raiders.

Dolegala has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Central Connecticut in 2019. Cleveland will be his fifth team after time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins.

The 6'7" New York native has never attempted a regular-season pass.

Cleveland's COVID-19 issues are occurring as the team attempts to make a late surge into the playoffs.

The Browns sit eighth in the AFC standings with a 7-6 record. The top seven teams in each conference qualify for the postseason. The Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, who are also 7-6, currently hold the last two spots based on tiebreakers.

How long the COVID outbreak continues to impact the team will be a major factor in their playoff hopes as it faces a difficult schedule down the stretch. After facing the Raiders (6-7), it takes on the Green Bay Packers (10-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1) and Cincinnati Bengals (7-6).

As the Cleveland Browns' game against the Las Vegas Raiders scheduled for Saturday approaches, quarterback Baker Mayfield wants the NFL to "make up your damn mind on protocols."

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reported quarterback Case Keenum was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, which is all the more notable because Mayfield was already among the many Browns already on the list.

The starter suggested the game has not been postponed to this point so the NFL can "make money" while not prioritizing player safety:

Actually caring about player safety would mean delaying the game with this continuing at the rate it is….
But to say you won’t test vaccinated players if they don’t have symptoms, then to pull this randomly. Doesn’t make any sense to me.

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 16, 2021

Mayfield continued, saying: "Tell me if this makes sense…. No tests this morning… then let our team gather for practice… then show up after practice to test them. Something seems off here." 

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported a league official suggested there will need to be "many more positives" for the game to be moved or canceled.

As of Thursday, the following players on the Browns were in the COVID-19 protocols:

• QB Baker Mayfield

• QB Case Keenum

• S John Johnson III

• CB Troy Hill

• DT Malik McDowell

• DE Ifeadi Odenigbo

• OG Drew Forbes

• TE Austin Hooper

• WR Jarvis Landry

• DE Takkarist McKinley

• OG Wyatt Teller

• OT Jedrick Wills Jr.

• WR JoJo Natson

• TE Ross Travis

• S Nate Meadors

• S Ronnie Harrison

The team also announced head coach Kevin Stefanski and running backs coach Ryan Cordell tested positive for COVID-19.

Mayfield calling for the league to make up its mind on protocols comes as the NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed to updated health and safety protocols Thursday. The league announced every team "will implement preventative measures that have proven effective," which include masks regardless of vaccination status, no in-person meals and no outside visitors for traveling teams.

What's more, fully vaccinated individuals who test positive are then tested every day until they have two negative tests 24 hours apart and are asymptomatic.           

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to updated COVID protocols. Statement from the league: pic.twitter.com/PyIYspmcTh

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

Here are the details from that memo on vaccinated players coming back from positive tests. It’s complicated, so I’ll give you all the language, for the 3 of you that are interested. pic.twitter.com/cZwaLRUBcL

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 16, 2021

In terms of actual football, Saturday's game is an important one in the AFC wild-card race.

Cleveland is one of five 7-6 teams in the AFC battling for positioning, while the 6-7 Raiders will remain a factor if they can pick up an important head-to-head win against a fellow contender.

The Cleveland Browns continue to be decimated by the recent rise in COVID-19-related concerns.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reported the Browns placed backup quarterback Case Keenum on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday. The move is made more significant by the fact that starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is already on the list and his status for Saturday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders is uncertain.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that there has been no indication that Cleveland's game against Las Vegas will be moved or canceled. "Would take more positives to get there," he added.

Mayfield took to Twitter to voice his frustrations about the league's health and safety protocols. He questioned the testing procedures and suggested that he believes postponing the game is necessary:

Actually caring about player safety would mean delaying the game with this continuing at the rate it is….
But to say you won’t test vaccinated players if they don’t have symptoms, then to pull this randomly. Doesn’t make any sense to me.

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 16, 2021

Mayfield's sentiment is shared by other members of the Browns organization. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported that a team source told her: "I really don’t know how we’re being asked to play this game Saturday. [Derek] Carr might eat us alive."

Sixteen Browns players were in COVID protocols as of Thursday, and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski tested positive Wednesday along with running backs coach Ryan Cordell.

Cleveland activated quarterback Nick Mullens off the practice quad Thursday, putting him in line to start against the Raiders. Mullens played in 10 games for the San Francisco 49ers last season, throwing for 2,437 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.