Chargers QB Justin Herbert has piled up some impressive numbers in his first two seasons. It's time for him to take his team to the postseason. (Los Angeles Times)
Cleveland Browns scouting report: Los Angeles Chargers
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in FirstEnergy Stadium
Record: 2-2.
Last game: Defeated Houston Texans, 34-24, Oct. 2, in Houston.
Coach: Brandon Staley, 11-10, second year.
Series record: Chargers lead, 18-9-1.
Last meeting: Chargers won, 47-42, Oct. 10, 2021, in Los Angeles.
League rankings: Offense is seventh overall (32nd rushing, first passing), defense is 20th overall (14th rushing, 17th passing) and turnover differential is plus-1.
Things to watch
1. After an off week in a terrible loss to Jacksonville, Justin Herbert was more himself against Houston with a 340-yard, two-TD performance, allaying fears that his rib cartilage fracture injury suffered in Game 2 would be a lingering problem. The Chargers expect this third season to be Herbert’s breakout year – meaning, his first trip to the postseason. Despite the rib injury, Herbert is first among NFL quarterbacks in passing yards (1,250), fifth in touchdowns (nine) and fifth in passer rating (102.2). He torched the Browns for 398 yards and four TDs in a 47-42 Chargers win last year.
2. For several reasons, the Chargers have not been operating on all cylinders on offense. No. 2 receiver Keenan Allen has missed three games with a hamstring injury and could miss again on Sunday. The Chargers’ 258 yards rushing rank 32nd, as does their 2.7-yard rushing average. When the team lost franchise left tackle Rashawn Slater to a biceps tendon injury, the fear was things would get even worse. But rookie sixth-round pick Jamaree Salyer stepped in and had a great NFL debut. The Chargers believe they have a chance to win any game with a healthy Herbert at quarterback.
3. The Chargers’ offseason was devoted to improving the defense. They traded second- and sixth-round draft picks to Chicago for defensive end Khalil Mack, and then invested $102.5 million in free agency to sign cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson. The Chargers finished 23rd overall in defense last year and 30th against the run. Have the new investments paid off? They rank 14th in run defense but are only 20th overall in defense.
4. Defensive end Joey Bosa, their best defensive player, is out 8-10 weeks after a groin tear that necessitated surgery. Bosa had three sacks in three games against the Browns.
Did you know … ?
1. The Chargers were third last season with 34 offensive snaps on fourth down. Only Detroit (41) and Chicago (36) had more. Coach Brandon Staley was praised and criticized for his aggressiveness on fourth down, which proved his undoing in a win-to-get-in final game last year against the Raiders. This season, the Chargers are tied for fourth with 5 of 9 conversions on fourth down. Arizona is 10 of 16, Detroit is 8 of 12 and Philadelphia is 7 of 11 on fourth down conversions. The Browns are 6 of 9.
2. Khalil Mack’s five sacks rank second in the AFC and are tied for third in the NFL.
3. Brandon Staley played quarterback at University of Dayton. In his two years as the starter, the Flyers were 16-5.
4. Since 2021, running back Austin Ekelar has score more points (142) than any non-kicker. His total includes an NFL-high 23 touchdowns.
5. Under Staley, the Chargers are 3-1 in 1 p.m. games in the Eastern time zone. Among Pacific Time Zone teams, only San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan (4-0) and the Rams’ Sean McVay (3-0) have better records.
Small world: Brandon Staley is a native of Perry and served as John Carroll University defensive coordinator in 2013, 2015-16 … General Manager Tom Telesco attended John Carroll 1991-95 … Pass game specialist Tom Arth is a graduate of St. Ignatius HS and played quarterback at John Carroll (1999-2002), was offensive coordinator at JCU (2010-12) and head coach (2013-16). He also was head coach at Akron (2019-21) … Senior director of college scouting Kevin Kelly was a Browns area scout (2001-08). He also was defensive coordinator at Case Western Reserve (1995) and linebackers coach at John Carroll (1994) … Area scout Patrick Ryan is a Cleveland native and was a Browns scouting assistant (2012) … Area scout Donovan Beidelschies had different roles with the Browns (2005-12).
