The third quarter was an embarrassing one for the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders used a 35-yard fake field goal from Shane Lechler to Kevin Boss to take a commanding 24-7 lead after the three quarters in Oakland.
The Browns were without running back Peyton Hillis the entire quarter. Word came through late in the third quarter that Hillis had tweaked his hamstring and his return is questionable.
Hillis’ replacement, Montario Hardesty, has largely been ineffective all game. He dropped another pass in the third quarter. It was Hardesty’s sixth pass drop in two games.
The troubles with the passing game don’t simply lie with Hardesty. Quarterback Colt McCoy has thrown several errant passes on the game. For the day, he’s just nine of 24 for 103 yards.