A week after losing a very winnable game in Atlanta against the Falcons, 23-20 to drop to .500, the Cleveland Browns return home to host the Los Angeles Chargers. Every game certainly is important. But some are more important than others for how they can shape a season. This game today certainly seems to be one of those for the Browns. If they win this game, it'll be a huge confidence builder going into a tougher part of the schedule. If they lose? They very well could be put into a bit of a freefall with the Patriots and Ravens coming up after today. The difference between 3-2 and 2-3 may as well be the Grand Canyon.
The Browns certainly can win this game. But in order to do that, Kevin Stefanski needs to stick with the Browns' biggest strengths and call a common-sense, smart football game. I'm still scratching my head from last week when Nick Chubb wasn't out there on the final drive of the game against the Falcons. There's certainly a time and place for opening things up and taking shots, or trying trickeration plays. But the Browns seem to have often gotten away from what drives their success.
There also aren't many more opportunities left to right the ship if Cleveland truly wants to compete for a playoff spot, or the AFC North Championship. They've already lost two games they should've won. And in excruciating fashion, too. They should be 4-0. But they find themselves in this predicament. It's time for them to dig themselves out, get going, and bring home a big win in front of the Dawg Pound. Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory to see how they'll get the job done.
Control the ball, play keep away and win the time of possession battle
I don't know who said it, but I've always loved the old saying, "If they can't score, they can't win." The Browns may need to take this to heart today, as the Chargers have the potential to light opposing defenses up in a hurry. They hung 34 points on Houston last week, and Justin Herbert threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
If the Browns dig in, run the ball and have long, methodical, sustained drives, that will go a long way toward keeping this high-octane Chargers offensive unit off the field. And it will play right into the biggest strength Cleveland has: controlling the football. The Browns have the best backfield in the league, and it's not even close. If Stefanski is smart, he'll call on both his workhorse running backs to get the job done today. And they'll both be out there if the game is hanging in the balance late in the fourth quarter. If they're not? He'll have a lot of explaining to do. Hopefully he just goes with smart, common sense football plays. He doesn't need to try and prove that he's the smartest guy in the stadium. Smart decisions do plenty of talking on their own. And I can't think of anything speaking louder in this kind of game, than the Browns showing up and running the football down LA's throat!
"Get home, Garrett!"
I am truly happy that Myles is okay from his freak car accident last week and ready to go. Many things are more important than football, and his safety and life are certainly at the very top of that list. Thank God he's okay! But from a football standpoint, I can't tell you how many times I've yelled this phrase at my TV already this season. We're only four games into the season, and going into this one. But Myles Garrett has yet to show up in any huge way. So far, he's got five solo tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. I really think he's due for a multi-sack game, or the classic strip sack, scoop and score play. He needs to show why he was drafted #1 back in 2017. He's been quiet all season long. But if there was ever a time Garrett's play needed to be loud? This is it. Jadeveon Clowney likely won't be out there with him today, and he very well may need to take this defense on his back and wreak havoc.
I don't trust the secondary. But as Myles Garrett goes, so goes this Browns defense. if Myles is leading the pass rush and the Browns are getting after Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, that will put a normally shaky Browns secondary in an advantageous position. So far, the secondary has been reactionary. That's not a good thing when they're playing soft zone coverage. If Garrett has himself a day, that will give the secondary opportunities to possibly make plays on the ball. Herbert doesn't make many mistakes with the football. But I'd be willing to bet he'd make a mental mistake if there's a 6'4, 272-pound defensive lineman right in his face, and about ready to make him eat dirt!
APB: Amari Cooper
The Browns absolutely have to get Cooper going today. He only had one catch for nine yards last week. That will never get the job done. Big play opportunities may not often present themselves. But when they do? Cooper needs to be open so Brissett can hit him for big strikes. If the running game gets going with Chubb and Hunt, that will force the Chargers' defense to creep up. Once that happens, Cooper should be able to break free using pure speed off the line, or a double move to lose the cornerback for a big gain or a touchdown. Cooper has been great when he's had good days. But last week was his first bad game as a Brown. If he has a big day? That will go a long way toward getting this team a big win.
Prediction: Browns 27, Chargers 24
I just can't see the Browns holding the Chargers under 20 points. The defense is sometimes about as porous as Swiss Cheese. But I can see the Browns scoring plenty to win if Kevin Stefanski uses common sense. This team has the potential to be offensively explosive. If the Chargers win, they could win by a couple scores. But if the Browns win, it'll be a close one. And I'll likely need to test my heart to see how healthy it is for the fifth week in a row. This one could come down to the wire. It's put up or shut up time for the Browns. My gut tells me they get it done!
Sources: ESPN, Charger Report on FanNation, cleveland.com
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
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