Browns Preview 12.23.16: San Diego Chargers @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Chargers travel to Cleveland this week to play the Browns on Christmas Eve (Saturday). Both teams lost last week. The Chargers lost 19-16 to the Oakland Raiders and now have a record of 5-9. The Browns obviously lost last week to the Bills 33-13. This could mark the last time the "San Diego Chargers" play a game in Cleveland, with the speculation of them moving to LA in the near future.

Browns Offense vs Chargers Defense

The Browns will be starting Robert Griffin III but is apparently on a short leash. The past two weeks the offense struggled passing the ball and keeping drives going. And some of the blame goes on Griffin. He's missed easy check down throws multiple times and has forced unnecessary shots down field. For this week, Griffin needs to correct these problems and not force anything crazy or else Cody Kessler will take some snaps this week.

The most important thing for the Browns to do though is to keep Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa out of the backfield. Ingram has seven sacks on the year and Bosa has 7.5 despite only playing in 10 games this year. The Browns have given up the most sacks this year (53) so whether its RGIII being able to shift the pocket and use his legs to stay upright and extend plays.

The running game seems to be a lost cause. And Hue Jackson said that once the Browns aren't down by a huge margin is when he will give Crowell 15+ carries. So with two weeks left in the season and 0-16 staring them in the face its highly unlikely the running game will be a major part of the game pan. The only way the running game will used is in the read option with RGIII at quarterback, which has worked at points these past two weeks.

Browns Defense vs Chargers Offense

Its unclear if Melvin Gordon will play this week. If he does, the Browns need to keep him contained. He is only 3 yards away from 1000 for the season, has 12 total touchdowns (10 rushing) and has 41 catches. He is a threat in all facets of the game. If he doesn't play Kenneth Farrow will start.

The passing game is lead by Philip Rivers, who is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He's prone to force throws at times so the Browns secondary needs to stay alert to potentially pick off a pass. Rivers has thrown 29 touchdowns and 18 interceptions this season and is 205 yards away from 4000 yards this season.

Rivers has many weapons on offense. He has three solid receivers, Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman, and former Brown Travis Benjamin. Those three are his top receivers, totaling 154 catches, 2,242 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Browns corners are going to have a tough day stopping the passing game. And that doesn't count the two tight ends the Chargers throw out there. Rookie Hunter Henry has 32 catches and seven touchdowns this year, and 36 year old Antonio Gates is still out there catching 40 balls this season and five touchdowns.


Five Guys to Watch

Robert Griffin III: His days as an NFL starter seem to be coming towards an end. He might be playing for a job next year at this point so he is going to have to win this game to keep the Browns from going 0-16 and quite possibly his NFL dreams alive.

Terrelle Pryor: Pryor is another guy playing still playing for next year. He's been quiet the past two weeks and is now playing hurt with a torn ligament in his finger. This could be one of those game where he comes out and proves the haters wrong once again.

Jamie Collins Sr: Its unclear what the Browns are going to do with Collins this off-season but he has been a bright spot on this team since joining back in October. Collins vs the Chargers' tight ends should be a fun match-up to watch.

Jamar Taylor: Taylor needs to contain whoever he is matched up with this week. Rivers should be targeting he a lot this weeks.

Emmanual Ogbah: Ogbah has played well since being moved to defensive line. He's grown as a reliable pass rusher the past few weeks and he should get many chances to get to Rivers.





Weather Report:

Injury Report: 
Betting Line: Chargers -6


Predictions: 24-20 Browns

I said the Browns were going to win a game this year and its setting up to be this game. The Chargers have to travel across the county to play the 0-16 Browns on Xmas Eve...yeah ITS HAPPENING...or maybe ITS NOT HAPPENING (as in the 0-16 parade). But seriously this is setting up to be final straw in the Mike McCoy era in San Diego or where ever they are going to play in 2017.

On The Mark 12.7.14: #Buckeyes & #Big10Championship Recap

Big 10 Champions! Ohio State Destroys Wisconsin 59-0
By @MarkW2112

The Ohio State Buckeyes, 4 point underdogs coming in to the game, completely outplayed Big 10 West champions Wisconsin Badgers in every facet of the game for a dominating 59-0 win.  It was no contest from the start, when Cardale Jones, the sophomore third string quarterback from Glenville, threw a 39 yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith to start the game.  After that, the Buckeyes offense could do whatever they wanted to against the #2 ranked Wisconsin defense.  2 series later, Ezekiel Elliot blasted an 81 yard touchdown run, making it 14-0.  Elliot had an incredible night, rushing for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jones threw 2 more more touchdown passes to Smith, who had 137 yards total yards on 4 receptions.  Curtis Samuel also contributed 2 touchdowns at the end of the game to complete the blow out.

But the story of the night was the domination of the Buckeyes defense against Heisman candidate Melvin Gordon and the Badgers offense.  Gordon, who came in to the championship game with over 2200 yard rushing, came away with only 76 yards on 26 carries.  Joey Bosa, Michael Bennett (wearing #53 in tribute to late lineman Kosta Kerageorge) and Adolphis Washington led a determined defensive line to stop Gordon dead in his tracks more often than not.  Doran Grant and Vonn Bell both had interceptions against Joel Stave, who finished 17-of-43 for 187 yards.  The pressure from the defensive line was just too much for Stave to get anything going all night.  The biggest highlight for the defense was Michael Bennett punching the ball out of Gordon's hands, then having Bosa recovery the fumble in the end zone to make it 38-0 before halftime.

My take:  I still can't believe what I witnessed.  The Buckeyes, you were 4 point underdogs to the Badgers, came out with fire and passion that outmatched anything they had done during the previous 12 games.  Cardale Jones, the MVP for the Big Ten Championship game, surprised with his accurate and extraordinarily powerful arm.  He had time from his excellent offensive line, who have gelled nicely as the year has gone on as well as Ezekiel Elliot, out outplayed the much more hyped Melvin Gordon by a mile.  The defense, led by Joey Bosa and Michael Bennett, played their greatest game of the year if not one of the best in years for a Buckeyes team.  Hats off to Luke Fickell and Chris Ash who came up with a near perfect game plan against the Badgers offense.  The Buckeyes also made a monster of a case that they should be in the final spot for the 4 team playoff in 2015.

Play of the night: Cardale Jones' 39 yard touchdown pass to Devon Smith to start the game.  Jones made the throw look flawless and Smith adjusted to make an incredible catch in the end zone.  It set the tone for the rest of the game. 

Play of the night 2: Michael Bennett punching the ball out of Melvin Gordon's arms, causing a fumble which was pounced on by Joey Bosa in the end zone to make it 38-0 and seal the victory for the Buckeyes in the first half.

MVP: Along with being the game MVP, Cardale Jones was also my MVP.  The kid from Cleveland's Glenville High played with passion and determination in not only the biggest game of his life but also his first start of his Buckeye career.  He was an inspiration not only to his teammates but to the millions watching the game last night.

Co-MVP's: Michael Bennett and Joey Bosa.  They inspired the entire defense all night and came up with the game clinching fumble and touchdown.

Next up: to be determined.  On The Mark will have an update as soon as the playoff committee decides their final top 4 playoff teams.