Dawgs By Nature
Week 9 could be important for many in the NFL including the Browns and Chargers before the NFL trade deadline
Things have changed after the Cleveland Browns were able to get back into the win column last Sunday with an upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This will be the Browns last home game before the bye week, as Cleveland will look to build momentum and make a potential playoff push as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kickoff is at 1:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on CBS with Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala on the call.
Here are the three things to watch for in this pivotal matchup.
Considering how the Browns offense has looked for most of the year, last week’s performance was a step in the right direction. The passing offense looked crisp, the offensive line held up in protection, and the skill position groups rose to the occasion. Can it continue this week? Make no mistake, the Chargers defense will be a stiff test:
For Cleveland, playing a clean game should be the priority. Quarterback Jameis Winston played exceptionally last week but he also had some throws that should’ve been intercepted. Chargers defense is sound fundamentally and they can make the Browns pay if the offense makes mistakes. Expect the running game for Cleveland to gain some steam.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility. The Browns running game hasn’t been great this season but last week the running game started to get some traction. Running back Nick Chubb is close to getting back into his top 5 form:
As far as the Chargers run defense goes, Cleveland can exploit it. Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford is stout but the rest of the interior defensive line can be exploited. Guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio had one of their better outings of the season and they will look to build upon that performance.
With cornerback Denzel Ward being in concussion protocol, his status for Sunday’s game is in doubt. If Ward can’t go, the rest of the Browns cornerback room will have to step up. Cornerbacks Greg Newsome and Martin Emerson have had their fair share of struggles this season but the Chargers receiver corps have players who can create opportunities for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Rookie Ladd McConkey has emerged as a reliable option for Herbert. He’s someone who can generate explosive plays with his YAC ability. Cleveland’s secondary hasn’t been bad this season but they haven’t played to their standard. The matchups I would trot out if Ward doesn’t play on Sunday would be something like this.
