Oakland Raiders: 3 Things to Watch for in Matchup Against Cleveland Browns

The Oakland Raiders host the Cleveland Browns in their first home game since the death of long-time owner Al Davis, and it's a sellout.

The Raiders will honor Davis in a pregame ceremony, and emotions will undoubtedly be running high. But Davis himself would want the team to concentrate more on winning the game than on his memory.

Here are three things to watch for as the Raiders take on the Browns.

Darren McFadden: Can He Rebound from Last Week's Performance vs. Houston?

Darren McFadden has finally developed into the workhorse back that the Raiders expected when they drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft.

He leads the NFL in rushing with 519 yards and is averaging 103.8 yards per game.

Last week in Houston, McFadden had his worst game of the season, when he carried the ball 16 times and gained only 51 yards.

Look for him to rebound this week against a Cleveland team that ranks 25th in the NFL in rushing defense.

The Raiders Will Try to Put Pressure on Colt McCoy Early and Often

Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy ranks 23rd in the NFL in passing yards and 25th in quarterback rating.

But McCoy has been solid in his decision making, throwing six touchdowns and just three interceptions, and he's been sacked just seven times this season.

Look for the Raiders to put pressure on him from the start of the game. Keep an eye out for Raiders defensive tackles Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly as well as defensive end Jarvis Moss to be in McCoy's face.

Peyton Hillis: More Fallout from the Miami Game?

One doesn't normally think of Cleveland as a hotbed of controversy, but the star running back's contract status sure has caused plenty.

Peyton Hillis sat out the Browns' September 25 contest against Miami with a case of strep throat.

He later made comments that his agent had advised him to do so, immediately calling into question whether Hillis not playing was due more to his unhappiness with the Browns balking on giving him a new contract than an illness.

Last week, he returned to the lineup, but the workhorse back was given only 10 carries in the Browns' loss to Tennessee.

Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur has insisted that the issue is dead, but Hillis' workload vs. the Raiders will be something to watch this afternoon.