Browns vs. Chargers: Week 9 Need to Know

Cleveland is looking to hit the bye with a two-game winning streak. Can the Chargers derail those plans? Here is everything you need to know about the game.

The Cleveland Browns close out a three-game home stand on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Browns reminded everyone last week that there is nothing wrong with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense that a mostly competent quarterback can’t fix. Quarterback Jameis Winston made his standard knucklehead plays that would have cost Cleveland the win if Baltimore’s defensive backs were not substandard, but he also hit the biggest touchdown pass of the season at the end of the game, so all is good.

The win helped the Browns keep their playoff hopes at least in the realm of possibility, and putting up another win before heading into a much-needed bye week would be a nice way to kick off the month of November.

The Chargers are part of a group of AFC teams that are in the middle of the pack, and quarterback Justin Herbert has started to heat up a bit in recent weeks. So while the Chargers may not be good, the Browns are in no place to take anything for granted.

It’s Browns vs. Chargers in downtown Cleveland, and here is everything you need to know about the game.

Game Info

Records: Cleveland is 2-6. Los Angeles is 4-3.

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Stadium: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio

TV: CBS

Announcers: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, and Aditi Kinkhabwala (sideline reporter)

Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 89.1 FM La Mega (Español)

Announcers: Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura, and Je’Rod Cherry (sideline reporter)

Last meeting: The Chargers won the last meeting, 30-28, in Week 5 of the 2022 season.

First meeting: The Chargers won the first meeting, 27-10, on November 1, 1970.

All-time series: The Chargers lead the all-time series, 19-9-1. The Browns have lost four in a row to the Chargers, but have split the last four meetings in Cleveland.

Weather: 61 degrees and partly cloudy, with a 15 percent chance of rain. Winds from the east/southeast at 10 mph. (weather.com)

Uniform: The Browns are keeping it stylish this week with brown jerseys and orange pants:

Injury report: Browns – Out: Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck), and linebacker Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps). Questionable: Cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion), and linebacker Khaleke Hudson (ankle). Chargers – Out: Cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring), and wide receiver Brenden Rice (shoulder). Doubtful: Tight end Stone Smartt (ankle). Questionable: Defensive end Joey Bosa (hip), wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (groin), and linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe).

The line: Browns are +1 to +1.5 on the various betting apps.

News and Notes

• The Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense as they are allowing just 13 points per game.
• Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert has averaged 288 passing yards over the past three games, while Cleveland’s defense has allowed more than 200 passing yards in three of their past four games.
• Herbert is fourth in the league on intermediate throws (10 to 19 yards) with a PFF passing grade of 91.7. Cleveland’s defense counters with the league’s third-best work on intermediate throws, with a team coverage grade of 53.8, according to Pro Football Focus.
• The Browns also have PFF’s No. 2-ranked defensive line, which could be key as Herbert has struggled under pressure this season, completing just 49 percent of his passes when pressured, according to PFF.
• Los Angeles linebacker Khalil Mack has four sacks in four career games against the Browns.
• This week’s game poster is appropriately enough “electric”:

• Cleveland running back Nick Chubb has averaged 7.8 yards per carry in three career games against the Chargers and has gone over 130 rushing yards in two of those games.
• The Chargers are at No. 28 in the NFL as their run defense allows 4.8 yards per carry.
• Cleveland wide receiver Cedric Tillman and Los Angeles wide receiver Ladd McConkey both had two touchdown catches last week.

In Case You Missed It

Browns, Chargers Week 9: Unstoppable force meets immovable object

Browns Week 9: Chargers top defense easily could be fool’s gold

Should a win on Sunday get any Browns off the trade block?

Browns NFL trade deadline: 6 players to acquire after a Week 9 victory

Browns vs Chargers Week 9: 3 things Cleveland needs to get another victory

Browns vs Chargers: 3 players who can wreck Cleveland’s turnaround

Browns, NFL trade deadline: What a Za’Darius Smith trade could bring

NFL Picks Week 9, and media picks for Chargers vs. Browns

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns: Week 9 TV Map

Browns schematic change resulted in better pass pro against Baltimore

A Final Quote

Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone on the Chargers return game (quote via a team-provided transcript):

“I would say they have elite speed at the returner position. All the guys that they have. You have Ladd McConkey, who’s a high 4.3 guy, you have Derius Davis who has elite speed, Jalen Reagor who can run. All those guys have speed in the return game. So, we’re going to have to do a good job of playing leverage, understanding what they’re trying to do with their schemes relative to what we’re trying to do in ours. So, I would say the number one trait that they have in their return game is speed.”

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What are you looking for from the Browns in Sunday’s game against the Chargers?