The Los Angeles Chargers are headed to Cleveland on Sunday. Here are some ways they can stack up against the Browns:
Los Angeles Chargers 5 Keys to Victory
1. Keep Up The Quarterback Protection
The Chargers had some of the best pass protection all season on Sunday against the Saints. According to ProFootball Focus (PFF), there was an average grade of 89.3 in pass blocking for the entire team, the highest it’s been in 2024.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater and right tackle Joe Alt were flawless, as each was responsible for no quarterback pressures, hits, hurries, or sacks. Despite all the good, there was some bad as left guard Zion Johnson had issues. Saints defensive end Chase Young did get around Johnson during the first quarter to hit quarterback Justin Herbert. And later in the third, Saints defensive lineman Khalen Saunders sacked Herbert by getting around Johnson.
Right guard Trey Pipkins and center Bradley Bozeman were also responsible for pressure on Herbert. Pipkins, Bozeman, and Johnson must tighten up against this Browns defense, most notably defensive ends Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith. Both Garrett and Smith are tied with four sacks on the season. Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has three but will be out for this next game with a neck injury. Herbert was sacked three times on Sunday, so the offensive line will have to be extra sturdy this week.
2. Lean into the Passing Game
The run game has been up and down for the Chargers while Herbert’s passing yardage has picked up, really opening up this offense. It may be time to lean more into passing the ball. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey is making great plays and running back J.K. Dobbins has proved he can act as a receiver in a pinch, while wide receiver Joshua Palmer is reliable, and tight end Will Dissly continues to be that blocking and receiving tight end. So Herbert has options, and hopefully wide receivers D.J. Chark and Quentin Johnston will return soon from injury to add more stability to the passing game.
3. Don’t Underestimate This Browns Offense
With former Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper gone to the Bills, notable players like wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, running back Nick Chubb, and tight end David Njoku are being counted on to pick up the slack.
There are also the more obscure ones like wide receiver Cedric Tillman, who’s in his second year and just came off a career-high game of 99 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
There are also more seasoned veterans like wide receiver Elijah Moore, who’s reached half his reception number already from the previous season. Though Cooper was a force, this team still has talented pieces left, and with a decent quarterback in place like Jameis Winston, they can really make a dent.
The Chargers receiver coverage, especially the tackling, has been up and down, so that needs to be buttoned up for this matchup.
4. Keep All Defenders Involved In The Pass Rush
This last game reminded me of the Chargers’ Week 16 matchup against the Colts in 2022, where the Chargers’ defense ended the game with seven sacks. Last Sunday, the defense got a lot of players involved in the pass rush, giving Saints quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener a hard time, as they suffered six sacks between the two of them.
Edge rushers Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack, and Bud Dupree were each responsible for one while fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock, and defensive linemen Otito Ogbonnia and Poona Ford, had the others. This defense has been really doing its thing this year, and it’s great to have edge rusher Joey Bosa back.
That defensive pressure is going to be needed for a Browns quarterback like Winston, who is going to shoot for that high passing yardage. There needs to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to keeping him in the pocket and stopping those receptions.
5. Keep Letting the Rookies Shine
Ladd McConkey’s name has been echoing throughout the press this week with the way he showed up and showed out against the Saints. Cornerback Cam Hart is getting better each game, and I don’t think anyone can stop talking about Alt. The Chargers invested in some solid rookie players that are paying off already, so in this next matchup, I expect to see more impressive stats as they’re unleashed.
