I’m A Browns fan and I will always watch the Browns. Last week the Browns beat the Vikings and the Chargers won against the Raiders. This Sunday the Cleveland Browns travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers. So, what am I watching this week?
Browns Defense Vs Chargers Offense. The Chargers offense is very explosive. Second-year quarterback Justin Herbert has an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 87.5, fourth in the NFL. Herbert has two very talented wide receivers, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. Williams leads the team in touchdowns and receiving yards and Allen, through four weeks has been the most targeted wide receiver in the NFL with 42 targets with 28 catches for 294 yards and a TD. The Chargers run the ball with Austin Ekeler who has 50 carries for 283 yards. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield with 18 catches for 141 yards and two TD’s. The Chargers are a pass-heavy team, they throw the ball 62% of the time. Their offensive line is good, not great and has a rookie at left tackle. LT Rashawn Slater has allowed only six total QB pressures. If the Browns can pressure Herbert up the middle, this will force the Chargers to play Slater one on one with Myles Garrett. The Browns defense is currently the second-best defense in the NFL and is great against the run (66.5 yards per game). They have allowed the fourth-fewest receiving yards to opposing running backs, 105 yards and one TD. I expect more dime packages to help cornerbacks Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward covering Allen and Williams. Look for big games from DT Malik McDowell, S John Johnson, III, S Ronnie Harrison, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, DE Takk McKinley and DE Jadeveon Clowney.
Browns Offense Vs Chargers Defense. The Chargers defense is anchored by their defensive line. It ranks eighth in quarterback pressures (40.2%). Defensive end Joey Bosa is second in pass rush win rate (28.4) and QB pressure percentage (23%). He leads the Chargers with 2.5 sacks. Their defense is ranked ninth in the NFL allowing 332 yards a game, 192.5 yards passing and 139.5 yards rushing. In their only loss against the Cowboys, the Chargers gave up 198 yards rushing. It was announced that OT Chris Hubbard will have season-ending surgery leaving a question mark at left tackle. Who’s going to face Chargers DE Joey Bosa? The answer is right tackle Jack Conklin. Bosa has lined up at left defensive end 80% of the time this season. On the left side, it looks like injured LT Jedrick Wills will start. The Browns need to keep doing what they do best, run the ball. Against the Vikings, the Browns dominated the time of possession by over 11 minutes because they ran the ball and kept the Viking offense on the sideline. The Chargers secondary is very good and they attempt to limit big plays by opposing offenses. Because of this, the Browns can take advantage of underneath routes which could mean a big day for the Browns tight ends. The Chargers defense has allowed the seventh most receiving yards (257) and is tied for second in most touchdowns (3) in the NFL to opposing tight ends. The Browns offense can soften up the deep routes with all the underneath routes. RB Demetric Felton could have a big day. Finally, as always, no turnovers. The Browns are undefeated when they don’t turn the ball over.
Special Teams. A very clean game last week, thank you.
The Chargers are similar to the Vikings, an explosive offense with a slightly better defense. Let’s hope the outcome is the same for the Browns. Everyone enjoy the game.
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