Browns Recap 12.25.16: San Diego Chargers @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

THE CLEVELAND BROWNS FINALLY WON A GAME!!!! I REPEAT, THE BROWNS WON A GAME!!!! They pulled out a 20-17 victory against the Chargers. The Chargers totally "Charger'd" the game away and it was incredible.

The Browns played well enough to win this game even though they got out-gained by 105 yards (356-251). But the Browns won three key facets of this game; time of possession, penalties, and the turnover margin. The Browns won the possession game 32:29 to 27:31 mins. The Browns only committed four penalties while the Chargers committed nine penalties (three on the first drive which set up a Browns touchdown). And Jamar Taylor picked off Philip Rivers' pass for the only turnover in the game and the Browns capitalized on it a scored a field goal.

The Browns passing offense was hit or miss all day. RGIII threw for 164 yards on 17/25 attempts. Unfortunately, the offensive line struggled in pass protection, allowing 9 sacks for 48 yards, one of which caused RGIII to leave the game with a concussion. Gary Barnidge was the Browns leading receiver with five catches 42 yards. Terrelle Pryor had three catches for 36 yards and Corey Coleman had two catches for 15 yards including a nine yard slant route which extended the Browns last drive.

The Browns running game was headlined by Isaiah Crowell who ran for 54 yards on 16 attempts and two touchdowns. RGIII ran for 42 yards on 6 attempts and Duke Johnson had 28 yards on seven attempts. The Browns running game helped the Browns win the time of possession game.

The Browns defense did just enough to win this game. Rivers threw for 322 yards on 23/46 attempts, two touchdowns and one interception. The Chargers leading receivers were Antonio Gates with eight catches for 94 yards and one touchdown and former Brown Travis Benjamin who caught for three passes for 75 yards. Jamar Taylor (who was on of my five guys to watch) had one interception and three pass defections.

The Browns run defense completely shut down the Chargers running game. Kenneth Farrow was the Chargers leading rusher with 28 yards on 9 carries. And the Browns only gave up 34 yards total on 19 attempts. The Browns leading tackler was Christian Kirksey with 10 total tackles. Ed Reynolds had seven tackles and two hits on the quarterback.

The unsung heroes of the game was the Browns special teams. Returner Mario Alfred averaged 28 yards per kick return and defensive lineman Jamie Meder came up clutch and blocked a game-tying field goal attempt with just over three mins left in the fourth quarter.

Most Valuable Brown: Hue Jackson wins the award for this week. After a long season and losing 14 straight games the Browns finally pull out a win. This team never quit on him and you can see the emotion from Hue Jackson's post game speech. The record doesn't show it but he has this team believing in themselves and they believe in him.

"This one's for you."

Hue Jackson's emotional victory speech #SDvsCLE pic.twitter.com/9RWBAeiL6Q

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 24, 2016

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 10.5.15: #Browns v. #Chargers Recap

Offensive defense, penalties lead Browns to a 30-27 stinker against the San Diego Chargers
By @MarkW2112

Leave it to the Browns to find another way to lose against an opponent they should have beaten soundly.  The very thin on players San Diego Chargers managed to still beat the Browns, 30-27 in another "only the Browns" way.  With the score tied at 27 with less than a 1:30, Phillip Rivers led the Chargers down the field in order to get a Josh Lambo 39 yard field goal try with 2 seconds left.  Unbelievably, he missed the kick.  However, Tremon Williams is called for being off sides, which set up a 34 yard field goal by Lambo, this time good, to send the Chargers fans home happy and Browns fans frustrated with their ineptness yet again.

On the positive side, Josh McCown threw for 356 yards and 2 touchdowns with Duke Johnson catching one of them on a 34 yard pass to the corner of the end zone. He had a career day with 85 yards receiving and 31 yards rushing. Isiah Crowell led all rushers with 62 yards on 12 carries. 

Phillip Rivers was able to lead a depleted Chargers offense to 3 touchdown drives thanks to huge gains by Danny Woodhead and Dontrelle Inman, who hadn't even had a catch until today.  Rivers was 23 of 38 for 358 yards and 3 touchdowns.  The Chargers defense was able to sack McCown 4 times after only having 1 sack the first 3 games.

My take:  The Browns always find ways to lose.  Today was no exception.  The Browns had many opportunities for touchdowns but were only able to get field goals by Travis Coons.  But the defense was yet another disaster.  Starting the game blitzing Phillip Rivers seemed to work at first but the offense was able to adjust and blow threw huge holes in the defensive secondary.  Pierre Desir did a good job in place of Joe Haden but it wasn't enough to stop several big gains and touchdowns.  The worst of it was the off sides by Tremon Williams after Josh Lambo missed the 39 yard field goal which would have sent the game to over time.  While not as bad as the Dwayne Rudd helmet toss of 2002, it was yet another embarrassing chapter in how to lose like a Brown.  The other non factor was Dwayne Bowe having 1 pass throw to him, which he subsequently dropped.  It's just another foot note in the on going saga that is the Cleveland Browns.

Player of the game:  Josh McCown.  No, the Browns didn't win, but he put them in a position to win with his 356 yards passing and 2 touchdowns

Turning point:  Josh Lambo missing a 39 yard field goal with no time left, only to have him kick it again from 34 yards after an off sides on Tremon Williams.

Next game:  In Baltimore against the Ravens, (can't wait to see how they screw that game up).

#Browns Preview 10.2.15: Cleveland Browns @ San Diego #Chargers

By @mrgroce

The Cleveland Browns have a lot of problems. The most glaring one is the quarterback position, but unlike most seasons I'm not sure that it is the biggest issue that we have. Before the season started it was noted by the team, experts, and fans that the strength of the team was offensive line and the defense with defensive secondary leading the way. The plan was to run the ball, stop the run, and force teams to pass into our defensive backfield that is loaded with pro bowlers. Three games in the team looks bad everywhere except for special teams. Penalties and turnovers have the Browns looking undisciplined and poorly coached. Rookies under performing or not even able to make the active roster and bad free agent signings (Dwayne Bowe) has started the rumors of GM Ray Farmer getting fired as soon as he returns from his four game suspension next Monday.

In my humble opinion, the Browns are the worst team in professional football. The defense looks slow, the offense looks like something from the '80s and the fans keep showing up and making excuses. 

Well, fresh off of getting embarrassed by a second year quarterback and rookie wide receiver the Browns travel to San Diego to take on Philip Rivers and the Chargers. San Diego, like the Browns, boast a record of 1-2 and have issues of their own. Injuries are starting to pile up, particularly on the offensive line. King Dunlap, Chris Watt, and Orlando Franklin have all missed practice this week. Another lineman D.J Fluker returned last week after missing time with an ankle injury. Starting cornerbacks Brandon Flowers didn't play last week and the other starting cornerback Jason Verrett didn't play in the second half. Strong safety Jahleel Addae was held out with an ankle injury. Tight end Antonio Gates is still out serving a four game suspension and his backup Ladarius Green missed last week's game due to a concussion. 

Despite the mash unit that is the Chargers defense, they still have Rivers at QB, Melvin Gordon at RB, and Keenan Allen and Malcolm Floyd at WR. Other than punter and defensive secondary, I give the Chargers the advantage at every single position. Quarterback Josh McCown will get the start, and as far as we know will hold on to that position as long as he's healthy enough to play. It's never smart to play the schedule game, but this may be the last "winnable" game that the Browns will come across for awhile. Regardless, I have the Chargers winning the game quite handily 27-13. I hope I'm wrong.


What: Browns vs. Chargers
When: Sunday 4:05 PM
Where: Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, California
TV/Radio: CBS, WKNR Cleveland 850, WKRK Cleveland 92.3 The Fan, WNCX 98.5

TV Tonight 9.8.14

By @neveRWilliams

NFL
Monday Night Countdown (ESPN, 5 PM)
Giants @ Lions (ESPN, 7 PM)
Chargers @ Cardinals (ESPN, 10:15 PM)

MLB
Cardinals @ Reds OR Braves @ Nationals (MLB Network, 7 PM)
Cubs @ Blue Jays (WGN, 7 PM)

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WWE Raw (USA, 8 PM)
Running Wild with Bear Grylls, SEASON FINALE (NBC, 8 PM)
Bachelor In Paradise (ABC, 8 PM)
MasterChef (FOX, 8 PM)

A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY (HBO, 9 PM)
American Ninja Warrior (NBC, 9 PM)
Dallas (TNT, 9 PM)

Anger Management (FX, 10 PM)
Teen Wolf, SEASON FINALE (MTV, 10 PM)
Under The Dome (CBS, 10 PM)