By Daniel Popper, Zac Jackson and Jelani Scott
Another week, another top-tier performance for the Los Angeles Chargers defense as the unit turned in a near-shutdown effort during Sunday’s 27-10 road win over the Cleveland Browns.
The Chargers defense, helmed by coordinator Jesse Minter, entered Week 9 allowing a NFL-best 13 points per game. On Sunday, the unit allowed only a second-quarter field goal and a late-game touchdown while limiting Cleveland to 292 yards on the day, but only 57 total yards across six first-half drives.
Minter’s group also posted six sacks and three interceptions, effectively forcing Browns quarterback Jameis Winston and his offense back down to Earth following his 334-yard performance in Week 8 that earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Postgame, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Winston is still the starter going forward.
With their defense dominating and forcing quick drives, the Chargers offense enjoyed a fruitful day, outside of allowing Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett to record his fourth-career three-sack game (all of which came in the first half). Quarterback Justin Herbert capitalized on a pair of horrible blown coverages in the first half for two touchdowns and 94 yards en route to a 250-yard half and 282 yards to end the game. Running back J.K. Dobbins also made a big impact with 85 rushing yards and a pair of scores.
Chargers defense dominant once again
The Chargers defense nearly went two full games without allowing a touchdown. The Browns scored one in garbage time with less than a minute remaining. Before that, the last touchdown scored against the Chargers came in the fourth quarter of a Week 7 loss at the Arizona Cardinals. The Chargers entered this game with the best scoring defense in the league. They improved in that statistical category Sunday.
The key was forcing turnovers, and rookie corner Tarheeb Still played a big role in that production. He tipped a pass in the corner of the end zone to Elijah Molden, erasing what was a promising Browns drive. He also picked off Winston in the fourth quarter, jumping a route over the middle. The fifth-round pick is emerging as a pivotal piece in the Chargers defense.
let’s go heeb!!!!
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/qJhmv9PldS
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 3, 2024
The Chargers continue to beat up and handle business against bad teams. They will need more complete performances, particularly offensively, when the level of competition heats up later this month and into December. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer
Cleveland’s season sinks further as future looms
The fact that trade rumors regarding Browns DE Za’Darius Smith made the internet rounds during Sunday’s first half reinforced the state of things. This Browns season is long over, and last week’s rally to beat the Baltimore Ravens was just a temporary detour. The Browns were up to their old tricks with a flurry of penalties and blown coverages Sunday, and the Chargers’ defense just totally suffocated a stale Browns offense. It was a masterclass by Minter as Winston threw three interceptions — and the Chargers dropped at least two others.
At 2-7, the Browns are playing for the future, which means hard decisions lie ahead on an aging roster and complicated salary-cap situation.
Smith also left the locker room postgame without talking to reporters. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
Chargers offense built a lead, and defense put the game away
That was the formula in Cleveland.
Herbert had his unit rolling the first half. The downfield passing game was open. Herbert delivered two explosive touchdowns in the opening two quarters, one to Joshua Palmer and one to Quentin Johnston. The offense sputtered in the second half, though, which has been a recurring problem all season.
The Chargers only gained one first down on their first five drives. They squandered numerous opportunities given to them by Minter’s defense. The Chargers picked off Winston three times in the second half. They also forced a turnover on downs. The Chargers did not score points off any of those turnovers. But the dominant defense pulled them through. — Popper
Myles Garrett offers bright spot amid continued struggles
After not recording a sack in the previous three games, Garrett served an instant reminder that he’s one of the league’s most dominant forces as he logged three sacks in the first half. But the Browns otherwise have a lot of questions to answer, and the blown coverages behind Garrett put Sunday’s game out of reach quickly.
Myles Garrett has THREE sacks in the first half already!
📺: #LACvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/atZgl79TmP— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
The Browns can’t trade Garrett now, but there will be difficult conversations in the offseason about the state of a franchise that went all in on Deshaun Watson and has flopped this season. — Jackson
Required reading
- NFL Week 9, trade deadline live updates: Latest news, rumors, grades and coverage maps
- Five Chargers predictions at NFL midseason: Justin Herbert will be MVP worthy in second half
- The Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense. Are they for real?
- Browns ahead of the trade deadline: Could Za’Darius Smith soon be moved?
- Jim Donovan was a relentless worker who lived out his childhood dream calling sports
(Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
