Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Chargers Prediction, Pick and Preview, October 10 (10/10): NFL Week 5

Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Chargers Prediction, Pick and Preview, October 10 (10/10): NFL Week 5

Credit: photo by Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 3:05 p.m. EST
Browns money line +122
Browns spread 2.5
Chargers money line -125
Chargers spread -1
Over / under 47.5

 

2021 season stats
  Browns Chargers
Record 3-1 3-1
Road / home record 1-1 1-1
Points per game 25.0 23.8
Points allowed per game 16.8 18.5
Pass yards per game 212 284
Rush yards per game 177 108
Total yards per game 411 402
Total yards allowed per game 250 332
Turnover ratio -1 +3

 

Preview

The Cleveland Browns will visit SoFi Stadium in LA on Sunday night for a primetime matchup against AFC West leaders the LA Chargers.  Cleveland is on a 3 game winning streak after losing their opening game to the Chiefs but will face a real test in Week 5 coming up against Justin Herbert and the Chargers.  LAC is the surprising division leader one month into the season having already beaten the Cheifs and the Raiders in their own division.  Both of these teams have playoff aspirations and will look to build on their 3-1 records.

Offensive matchup

The Browns' passing offense hasn't been very consistent.  Both Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry have been dealing with injuries.  Kareem Hunt is actually the team's leading receiver with 12 receptions for 121 yards.  The ground game has been the main outlet for the Cleveland offense.  Nick Chubb ranks 2nd only behind Derrick Henry in rushing yards so far this season with 362 yards through 4 games and Hunt has also a tremendous contribution rushing with 234 yards of his own.  Baker Mayfield hasn't had the best start to the season either having only an 89.7 passer rating, but he has been seemingly managing an offense well enough that is spearheaded by the duo running back committee.

The Chargers have been a surprise in the AFC.  Justin Herbert has been getting the best out of his receiving corps with both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen in the top 20 in receiving yards with 306 and 294 yards respectively.  Williams is also joint 3rd in the league with 4 TDs.  Jared Cook looks reborn in LA's offensive scheme and has 181 yards from 16 receptions for 1 TD and Austin Ekeler is a top 10 running back with 283 yards on the ground and 2 TDs added to a further 141 yards and 2 TDs through the air.  Justin Herbert has already thrown for 1,178 yards

Defensive matchup

Cleveland boasts the 2nd best defense in the league through 4 games giving up only 250 yards per game to opponents.  The defense has been able to hold up their offense on days where the offense can't get it going, which was the case in Week 4.  Myles Garrett has been exceptional in getting pressure on opposing QBs and leads the team in total tackles with 19.  Corner Denzel Ward leads the team in solo tackles with 13 but is yet to record a pick.  The new addition, 2014 #1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney has also contributed heavily with 10 tackles. 

The Chargers' defense has also been impressive this season.  Asante Samuel Jr. has two INTs already this season and fellow corner Derwin James is proving to be one of the best in the league at the position.  James has 1 pick himself added to 26 tackles, one behind safety Nasir Adderley in the team.  Joey Bosa has also had an excellent start to the season contributing with 11 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.

Prediction

LAC head coach Brandon Staley has the Chargers looking like a well-oiled unit.  He's also put a lot of faith in Justin Herbert who has rewarded that faith.  The Chargers have been able to close out games and just last week held off an attempted comeback from AFC champs the Chiefs.  The Browns rank in the middle of the league on offense but their defense is stellar and the running game is the best in the league.  This will be a test for both teams but ultimately the Chargers should be able to see this game through on the back of Justin Herbert.

PICK: Chargers money line (-125)

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