Dawgs By Nature
A season lost as the Browns fall to the Chargers and we share winners and losers from the game
When the Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Ravens last weekend, it set into motion that maybe, just maybe, all this team needed was a decent quarterback and some quality play-calling. Hmmm.....
Then the realization set in that the Browns were just two games out of a Wild Card playoff seed. Hmmm.....
And all the while, Browns fans were trying to decide whether to root for their ballclub to lose out and gain a high draft pick, or continue to fight each week and attempt to win some ball games. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and the consensus was perhaps Cleveland should sell off some of their higher-salaried players and begin fresh next season.
RELATED: GAME GRADES AFTER DISAPPOINTING LOSS
And now a very winnable game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Maybe not just a game, but a stepping stone in this here season. Win, and suddenly a two-game win streak becomes reality. Lose, and yes, perhaps the franchise should drape the “wait till next year” banner outside the stadium.
Against the Chargers, the Browns were pathetic on offense and took a beating 27-10.
So who played well for the Browns? Who didn’t?
DE Myles Garrett - The future Hall of Famer showed up big time against the Chargers. RT Joe Alt had no magic formula to keep Garrett out of the offensive backfield and gave up three sacks. Garrett was a wrecking crew for most of the contest as he enticed Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert to attempt to leave the pocket on several occasions into the waiting arms of another Browns defender. Five total tackles, three tackles for loss, and five QB hits to go along with his multi-sack game.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson - Although stout against the run, Tomlinson was able to bull rush into the passing pocket several times past C Bradley Bozeman. He sacked Herbert 1.5 times and just missed out on two other sacks. Was never moved out of his gap all game which proved problematic for the Chargers’ run game. The final LA touchdown, Tomlinson had the middle stonewalled before RB Dobbins bounced it outside and scored. Three QB hits, two tackles for loss, and three tackles.
WR Cedric Tillman - Before the season began, Tillman was vying for the fourth receiver spot. Now that Amari Cooper is gone, Tilly is quietly claiming the WR1 position. He had 11 targets and caught six for 75 yards. He is becoming QB Jameis Winston’s favorite target. The meaningless touchdown catch with 49 ticks left on the clock was a remarkable feat for Tilly to get his left toe down as he was falling. He converted a second-and-eight play early in the second quarter to move the chains. With 7:29 left in the first half, he caught a short pass on the left side and then turned it into a 19-yard grab.
**P Corey...
