QB play, injuries difference in Browns loss to Chargers
A week after Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield had what he called “a (expletive)-poor performance” in a win over the Minnesota Vikings, he produced his best statistical outing of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Yet Mayfield didn't keep pace with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in the fourth quarter, and the Browns fell 47-42 in a dramatic shootout at Sofi Stadium.
Mayfield finished 23-of-32 passing (71.9%) for 305 yards and two touchdowns without an interception for a season-high rating of 122.5.
“I thought we were efficient in the pass game,” Mayfield said. “We just didn't make the plays we needed to, so I'm not going to be happy about it. We didn't win the (expletive) game. That's truly all that matters to me. I'm going to be hard on myself regardless. I didn't do enough today to win the game.”
Herbert did. He went 26-of-43 passing (60.5%) for 398 yards and four touchdowns without an interception for a rating of 122. He led the Chargers as they outscored the Browns 26-15 in a wild fourth quarter.
“That's a playoff-caliber team that we're probably going to see down the road,” Mayfield said. “We've just have to take care of business and see what happens.”
The Chargers look postseason bound due in large part to their signal caller, and coach Brandon Staley isn't shy about letting everyone know.
“To win a game like this, one that turns into a track meet, you have to have a superstar quarterback to win it. That's what [Herbert] is,” said Staley. “He was fantastic in the game.
“You can't win a game like that if you don't have a player like Justin Herbert.”
But part of the reason for Herbert's success against the Browns was that starting cornerback Denzel Ward left in the first quarter with a neck injury. Cleveland's other starting corner Greedy Williams (shoulder) and safety M.J. Stewart (hamstring) left the game in the fourth quarter and didn't return.
Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusukoramoah suffered a throat contusion and was taken to a hospital.
Defensive end Myles Garrett missed a few plays after being shaken up in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (elbow) was inactive. The Browns sacked Herbert just twice, with Garrett and defensive tackle Malik Mcdowell recording one sack apiece.