The latest Cleveland Browns news and notes from around the NFL in the Saturday Dawg Chow.
The next few days are going to be important ones for the Cleveland Browns.
A win on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers would keep Cleveland’s slim playoff hopes alive for another week, while a loss would just about end the dream of another run to the postseason.
The game will also help to set general manager Andrew Berry’s agenda for the following 48 hours in the run-up to the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Win and Berry may be browsing in the buyer’s aisle to possibly add a defensive back, linebacker, or some protection for the offensive line.
Lose and Berry could be turning on the blue light special to sell off a series of players who are not in the plans for next season.
We will all know soon enough. Until then, let’s get the weekend started with today’s edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Browns, Chargers Week 9: Unstoppable force meets immovable object (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at home in what should be a picture-perfect, calm fall day in Northeast Ohio. Aside from the weather, nothing about the matchup in the trenches will be described as “calm”.
- Browns vs. Chargers: Week 9 Need to Know (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns are looking to hit the bye with a two-game winning streak. Can the Los Angeles Chargers derail those plans? Here is everything you need to know about the game.
- Former GM on ESPN proposes the only Myles Garrett trade Browns would at least listen to (Jared Mueller) – There is almost zero chance that the Cleveland Browns are accepting phone calls about trading DE Myles Garrett much less thinking about dealing him. That did not stop former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum from presenting an absurd Garrett to the Detroit Lions deal on ESPN.
- Should a win on Sunday get any Browns off the trade block? (Damon Wolfe) – After a big win on Sunday the Cleveland Browns appear to have altered the outlook on the season. Should winning again this week take any players out of trade discussions?
- Chargers top defense easily could be fool’s gold (Jared Mueller) – When the Cleveland Browns face off with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9, all eyes will be on the home team’s offense with QB Jameis Winston and RB Nick Chubb. On the other side of the ball is one of the top-ranked defenses in the NFL in a variety of ways. It is possible, however, that Los Angeles’ rankings are a little bit of fool’s gold.
- Browns NFL trade deadline: 6 players to acquire after a Week 9 victory (Jared Muller) – What if the Cleveland Browns beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 to pull, potentially, within a game of a playoff spot? Could GM Andrew Berry become a buyer, not a seller, before Tuesday’s trade deadline?
- Browns vs Chargers Week 9: 3 things Cleveland needs to get another victory (Curtiss Brown) – Week 9 could be important for many in the NFL including the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers before the NFL trade deadline.
Cleveland Browns:
- Cedric Tillman makes good on prediction with first two TDs of career (Browns Zone) – Cedric Tillman saw his breakout coming. He even talked about it. Sort of.
- What Browns DE Za’Darius Smith said about possibly being traded by Tuesday, to the Lions or elsewhere (cleveland.com) – Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith was back on the practice field Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with an illness — but will he be here after the 4 p.m. trade deadline on Tuesday?
- Ken Dorsey credits ‘communication’ for Browns offensive explosion against Ravens (Beacon Journal) – Ken Dorsey was back in a familiar place last Sunday. The Browns offensive coordinator was sitting upstairs in the coaches booth, play sheet in front of him, and was calling plays.
- Jameis Winston breathing life into Cleveland Browns’ offense (ESPN) – Jameis Winston stood at the center of the Cleveland Browns’ pregame huddle before last Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens. His eyes squinted intently as he animatedly addressed his teammates. Tight end David Njoku was close by, bouncing up and down and nodding in approval.
NFL:
- Anthony Richardson’s benching could help the Colts win now. But at what future cost? (The Ringer) – Sure, starting Joe Flacco might bring the Indianapolis Colts closer to making the playoffs. But is that worth taking reps away from Anthony Richardson now—and potentially hindering his development long-term?
- Who will win the NFC West? It’s a four-team race (ESPN) – At this time last week, the Seattle Seahawks were alone atop the NFC West at 4-3. But by Sunday night, they could find themselves in last place. A loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field would assure as much regardless of whether the Arizona Cardinals win or lose on the road against the Chicago Bears. Such is life in the NFL’s tightest division.
- Bengals likely to be without Tee Higgins, Orlando Brown Jr. and Zack Moss vs. Raiders (cincinnati.com) – The Cincinnati Bengals are likely to be without three key offensive players against the Las Vegas Raiders as wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad), left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (knee) and running back Zack Moss are all doubtful to play Sunday.