Dawgs By Nature
Two of the league’s top offensive and defensive line units clash in what should be an explosive matchup on Sunday
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”.
The Browns' defensive line boasts some of the best individual talent in the league with guys like Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson wreaking havoc every week.
According to multiple sites and ranking experts, Cleveland’s defensive front is currently ranked in the top 5, while Los Angeles’ offensive line is ranked inside the top 8 units in the league through week 9 of the 2024 season.
Heading into the year, it was no secret that Jim Harbaugh was known for his love of running the football and “bullying” teams around at the collegiate level while at Michigan. It appeared that this was still going to be his game plan on the NFL stage as well due to the fact that some of his first moves as Chargers’ HC were to solidify the offensive line and add talent to the offensive backfield.
Instead of acquiring wide receiver help in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected mammoth-sized OT Joe Alt. He’s quickly become one of the best rookie offensive tackles in the league and has seamlessly paired with LT Rashawn Slater to form one of the better offensive tackle duos this season.
LA’s interior trio of Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, and Trey Pipkins have been average to above-average this year when former Ohio State standout and current Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins has been running inside this season.
Where this Los Angeles offensive line can be taken advantage of, however, is on the interior when they decide to throw the football. Bozeman and Pipkins have been liabilities at times when pass-blocking, so Cleveland DC Jim Schwartz might focus on that area.
We could see Schwartz blitzing linebackers in the “A” gaps or running interior stunts/twists with Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst, and Mike Hall Jr.
Though the matchup is scary for both units, the Browns should be able to emerge victorious as long as they don’t get lazy against the run, because that’s where this Chargers offensive line can bury them.
Are you excited for Cleveland’s trench matchup on Sunday? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
