The Chargers believe they are AFC playoff contenders in their first year under their new superstar coach, Jim Harbaugh. (Los Angeles Chargers)
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Browns v. Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Huntington Bank Field
Record: 4-3.
Last game: Defeated New Orleans Saints, 26-8, October 27, in Los Angeles.
Coach: Jim Harbaugh, 4-3, first year; 48-22-1 overall.
Series record: Chargers lead, 19-9-1.
Last meeting: Chargers won, 30-29, September 10, 2022, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is 23rd overall (20th rushing, 24th passing), defense is eighth overall (11th rushing, ninth passing) and turnover differential is plus-6.
Things to watch
1. Two things grab your attention right away. The Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense, yielding 13 points a game, and are third with a plus-6 turnover differential. They’re one of three teams that have been intercepted only one time.
2. Jim Harbaugh has turned quarterback Justin Herbert from gunslinger to game manager. In his four seasons, Herbert averaged 39 pass attempts per game – not only the most of his time but the most in NFL history. Through seven games under new coordinator Greg Roman, Herbert is down to 28 attempts per game. Harbaugh seeks to smash-mouth defenses with a strong offensive line and sometimes a two-back look. With former Raven Gus Edwards on injured reserve, J.K. Robbins has been Harbaugh’s feature back. Robbins is 10th in the NFL with 535 rushing yards after consecutive games of 131 and 135.
3. The Chargers have been without some key offensive players besides Edwards. Receiver Quentin Johnson (ankle) missed the last two games, tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) missed the last three, and receiver D.J. Chark (groin) has been on injured reserve.
4. The injury bug also infected the defense. The Chargers have been starting two rookie cornerbacks – Cam Hart of Notre Dame and Tarheeb Still of Maryland. Both were drafted in the fifth round. They’ve been subbing for Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder), who’s been on injured reserve, and Kristian Fulton (hamstring).
5. With Joey Bosa saddled all season with a hip injury, the Chargers’ best pass rushers have been a pair of 30-somethings – Khalil Mack, 33, has 3.5 sacks and Bud Dupree, 31, has 3.
Did you know … ?
1. The Chargers have two interceptions turned in by nose tackles. Both starter Poona Ford and backup Teair Tart have batted passes at the line of scrimmage and come down with the ball.
2. Kicker Cameron Dicker, aka Dicker the Kicker, has never missed a field goal from less than 50 yards. In three years, he’s 58 of 58. Not too shabby from 50+, either (11 of 15).
3. Defensive end Joey Bosa has missed 23 games because of injury the past three seasons. He has missed three games this year with a hip injury and logged fewer than 20 snaps in three others.
4. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was Harbaugh’s coordinator on his University of Michigan national championship team. Before that, Minter served as a defensive assistant for four seasons under Jim’s brother, John, with the Baltimore Ravens.
5. Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey leads the Chargers with 30 receptions and four touchdowns. Last week he became the first Chargers rookie in 11 years to post a 100-yard receiving game.
Small world: Senior offensive assistant Marc Trestman was Browns offensive coordinator in 1988-89.