Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns
This isn’t your typical Cleveland Browns team. This team will not lay down. They’re competing to try to change the team’s narrative and so far it’s working. The talent on that roster alone makes them a decent threat.
The Chargers will definitely have some matchup issues against the Browns. The Chargers offense is this teams biggest strength, while the Browns defense is their headline. Which side will crack first?
The Browns defense will surely have some drives where they completely punk the Chargers offense. However, the defense isn’t going to be able to sustain it. The Chargers offense has too many weapons.
Running back Melvin Gordon is a an elite dual threat that makes him a matchup nightmare for defenses. The Browns have a stellar cornerback in Denzel Ward, so Keenan Allen will be in for a battle. Given Allen’s tenure in the league, I’m going to have to give him the edge.
The key to this game for the Browns to win is through their defense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield in a shootout against Phillip Rivers and his weapons is not ideal. This is going to be a much more challenging game for the Chargers than against the Raiders, so it’s possible they could be walking into this a bit arrogant.
Even with that, I think the Chargers get the job done and put the Browns back on the losing column.
Chargers 28 Browns 17