The similarities between the teams are clear. Both have star defensive ends dealing with serious injuries, long-term concerns about their quarterbacks, and each team holds a 1-2 record.
The game on Sunday between the Browns and Raiders could be crucial for both squads.
The stakes are particularly high for the loser, as only 42 teams that started 1-3 have made it to the playoffs since the merger in 1970.
Cleveland and Las Vegas are both coming off losses — the Browns lost 21-15 to the Giants, while the Raiders were defeated 36-22 by the Panthers. That loss led to some deep reflection in the Las Vegas locker room and a team meeting on Monday.
Both teams have reasons to play urgently, but they also face significant challenges.
For Cleveland, Myles Garrett, the reigning Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, is determined to play despite injuries to his feet, Achilles tendon, and thigh.
“I try to spend every moment preparing my body for the rigors of the season, sometimes for bumps and bruises like I have now,” Garrett said. “An injured animal is the fiercest, so I’m going to be at my best.”
The Raiders expect to face Garrett as if he were fully healthy.
“You watched a couple of those runs against the Giants last week, and he is just a wrecking shop,” Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said. “It’s two guys on him and it doesn’t matter.
They chip him, it doesn’t matter. Run away from him, he chases it down. We see this every day with Maxx (Crosby). We hardly ever see this effort and this physicality from another player.”
As for Crosby, he didn’t practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago in Baltimore. Crosby, who had 14.5 sacks last season, was limited to three tackles against Carolina and missed some snaps for the first time this season.
