CHARGERS (5-9) VS. BROWNS (0-14)
SATURDAY, 1 P.M. ET, FIRSTENERGY STADIUM, CLEVELAND uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 706
Announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
About the Chargers: The Chargers get their turn to worry about avoiding being the first team to lose to the Browns. And they have to leave sunny California to play in Cleveland on the day before Christmas. The big question is whether RB Melvin Gordon, who missed Sunday’s 19-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders because of a knee injury, will be able to play. In Gordon’s absence Sunday, (39 yards) and (34, helped by a 17-yard run) combined for 73 yards rushing and an average of 3.3 per carry. Sunday’s loss continued a familiar 2016 pattern of finding ways to lose games late. Two Oakland fourth-quarter field goals tied the game and then won it. After scoring a touchdown to take a 16-13 lead, the Chargers totaled 21 yards on 17 plays on their final four possessions. The Chargers are 2-5 on the road, and Sunday felt like a road game because of the Raiders fans in attendance.
About the Browns: With the season finale on New Year’s Day in Pittsburgh, this game is likely the last realistic chance for the Browns to avoid a winless season. In 14 losses, the Browns have been outscored 408-220, and Sunday’s 33-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills was their 10th double-digit loss of the season and the fourth by 20 points or more. Since losing to the New York Jets 31-28 on Oct. 30, the Browns have lost their last six games by a total of 108 points (18.0 per game).
is back at quarterback for Cleveland, and he was better against Buffalo than he was the previous week against the Cincinnati Bengals. He improved his passer rating from 38.4 Joey Bosa is coming off a solid week against the Raiders.
to 81.8 and scored another touchdown with an 18-yard run. Nine of his 17 completions were to running backs or tight ends for 120 of his 196 passing yards. WR had four receptions, but was held to 19 yards.
Matchup to watch: Browns offensive line vs. Chargers front seven. Cleveland does have LT Joe Thomas, but injuries had them playing Spencer Drango at left guard, Jonathan Cooper at right guard and
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
at right tackle. They will have to control DE and OLB
The rookie injured his neck the week before against the Carolina Panthers but practiced all week and then had one sack, four tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit against Oakland. Griffin has been sacked eight times in the last two games.
Eight of San Diego’s nine losses have been by a total of 39 points (4.9 average). All eight games were lost by one score or less.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Rivers in the cold: Chargers QB Philip Rivers needs 205 yards to reach 4,000 for the season and one touchdown pass to have 30. But he also has 18 interceptions, most in the league. Whether he can deal with bad weather will be important, especially if the running game isn’t working.
2. Speaking of the running game: Both teams struggle on the ground, especially the Chargers without Gordon. Cleveland’s
(28 yards, 25 long) and (31 yards, 13 long) combined for 59 yards on 13 rushes against Buffalo, but only 21 yards on 11 attempts other than the long runs.
3. Psychologically speaking: It’s difficult to be confident with a record of 0-14, but the Browns likely will believe they can win at home against a Chargers team away from the comfort zone of California and one that will be asked all week about playing a winless team.
Howard Balzer