The Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns are squaring off for the third consecutive year with the Browns being significantly better than years past.
TheLos Angeles Chargerstake on the improving the Browns after a dominant performance last week.
The Chargers defeated their divisional rival the, Oakland Raiders, 26-10 at home.Philip Riversthrew for over 300 yards and had multiple touchdowns for the 5th consecutive game. Running backsMelvin GordonandAustin Ekelerboth scored as well.
The offense will be a key to this game as Rivers will look to continue his consistency of dissecting defenses through the passing game.
Rivers spreads the ball around to multiple areas including his running backs Gordon and Ekeler, as well as star receiverKeenan Allenand the duo of Tyrell andMike Williams. Allen leads the Chargers with 372 receiving yards. Additionally, he still has aged, but still serviceable, tight endAntonio Gatesat his disposal.
The defense will also look to put together a dominant performance against Cleveland rookie quarterbackBaker Mayfield.
Last week, they sackedDerek Carrthree times, forced him into an interception and had him under pressure all game long. Though he did throw for over 250 yards, most of it was when the team was down 26-3.
WithJoey Bosastill out until November at the earliest,Melvin Ingramwill continue to hold down the interior and Casey Heyward leading the defensive back group.
Cleveland has been on a rise since the new season started. The offseason acquisition of superstar wideoutJarvis Landryand picking of Baker Mayfield andDenzel Wardhave given the Browns a good foundation for the future. They already have more wins this year (2), than they did all year last year (0).
Cleveland is led by number one overall pick Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has taken strides since being inserted into the game against the New York Jets leading Cleveland to two wins. He has the tendency to scramble a bit out of the pocket which could present a problem for the Chargers.
Nevertheless, he has been prone to rookie mistakes like throwing unnecessary interceptions and extending plays instead of throwing the ball away. The Los Angeles Chargers look to make Mayfield uncomfortable in every way possible dialing up blitz packages and pressuring him up the middle.
The meetings between these teams has been even as they have split the last four meetings. Although, in the last meeting in Cleveland in 2016, the Browns were victorious 20-17 at home.
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