Derius Davis' 53-yard punt return got the Chargers off and running in the first quarter. It led to a 7-0 lead, which Los Angeles never surrendered. (Los Angeles Chargrers)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst of the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Instant takeaways from Browns' 27-10 loss to Los Angeles Chargers …
1. Clock strikes midnight: Jameis Winston’s impersonation of Joe Flacco had a short run. After energizing the Browns in his first start, the offense was as bad as ever. And when Winston tried to make up a three-score halftime deficit, he was intercepted three times. Yes, the Winston magic wore off in a convincing 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Cedric Tillman dropped a key pass at the goal line, David Njoku had a drop early, Jerry Jeudy a drop late, and Elijah Moore had at least two miscommunications with Winston. Tillman made a great catch in the end zone for a 17-yard TD with less than a minute to go. Winston was 26 of 46 for 235 yards, with the one TD and three INTs. He was sacked six times. The special teams contributed negatively, surrendering a 53-yard punt return and having a 51-yard field goal try blocked. The defense? Two blown coverages resulted in two Justin Herbert passing TDs and J.K. Dobbins added two TD runs. So Jim Harbaugh avenged his older brother’s loss here last week as his Chargers improved to 5-3 and in the AFC playoff hunt. The Browns’ loss buries hopes of a late-season playoff surge and heightens speculation of one or more trades before Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Browns are 2-7, including 1-4 at home.
2. Kicker’s graveyard: Even on a beautiful fall day, kicking in Huntington Bank Field is no walk in the park. In the fourth quarter, Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker missed wide left on a 44-yard field goal try into the Dawg Pound end zone. It was the first time in 59 attempts in his NFL career that Dicker missed a field goal of less than 50 yards.
3. Second half dagger: After the second-half kickoff, the Browns had their finest drive, moving from their 30 to the Chargers’ 5. So it’s first-and-goal. Out of the shotgun, Winston fired to Cedric Tillman on a skinny slant. Perfect throw. Bangs off Tillman’s chest with his eyes perhaps glued on linebacker Troy Dye, who belted Tillman to the ground. Next play: Winston aims a floater to Jerry Jeudy in the right corner. Cornerback Tarheeb Still leaps high to deflect the ball and safety Elijah Molden corrals it for the INT in the end zone. Winston’s first interception after several near-misses in six quarters as the new starter.
4. Jekyll and Hyde: What a weird first half for the Browns’ defense. Out of 33 snaps on the field, the defense turned in nine negative plays – six sacks and three TFLs. Yet the Browns trailed, 20-3. How? Herbert was 14 of 16 for 250 yards and took advantage of two blown coverages for TDs of 27 yards to Joshua Palmer and 66 to Quentin Johnston. Also, J.K. Dobbins blew through the JOK-less middle of the defense for a 16-yard TD run, untouched.
5. Offense? What offense?: Meanwhile, the magic of Winston disappeared in the first half. Winston directed only 57 yards total offense. He was 6 of 13 for 47 yards and was sacked four times. And almost intercepted once. The Browns squandered favorable field position to start drives at the Chargers’ 44 and 46. They had first-and-10 from the Chargers’ 13 on the latter drive and had to settle for a 38-yard field goal after Chubb was stopped for no gain, Winston threw incomplete for Jerry Jeudy and Winston was sacked.
6. Myles is back: Myles Garrett broke out of a four-game sackless streak with three in the first half. Two came within the span of three plays just before the end of the first quarter with the Chargers ahead, 7-0. At that point, it looked as if Herbert would be in for a long day.
7. Um, those special teams: Once again, the Browns’ special teams failed them early. Corey Bojorquez’s first punt was returned 53 yards by Derius Davis. It set up the Chargers’ first touchdown.
8. Bye bye, Z?: During the first half of the game, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reported a trade sending defensive end Za’Darius Smith to Detroit would be consummated either Sunday night or Monday. Smith played the entire first half and had ½ sack to bring his season total to 5.5.
9. Chief concerns: Tight end David Njoku got off to a rough start. On the first series, he was flagged for a false start. On the second series, he dropped a Winston pass.
10. Pre-game notes: Dawand Jones remained the starter at left tackle even though Jedrick Wills was a game-day active. Also, as expected, Denzel Ward cleared concussion protocol and was active. And running back Jerome Ford was active after missing two games. Inactives: quarterback Bailey Zappe, running back D’Onta Foreman, linebacker Jordan Hicks, tackle Germain Ifedi, and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.