Around this time last year, almost to the day, the Chargers hosted the Browns. The 2021 faceoff between the teams turned into an instant classic.
The matchup was an offensive shootout with 1,025 yards of total offense, 683 passing yards, and 52 first downs. Los Angeles and Cleveland tallied a combined 41 points in the fourth quarter.
Justin Herbert accumulated 398 passing yards and five total touchdowns. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen totaled 165 and 75 yards, respectively. The two made up 25 of 42 targets. Austin Ekeler had 119 yards from scrimmage and three scores.
It was a day of accolades for Herbert, who earned his record 11th 300-yard game and tied a career-high four passing touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield, who was then the Browns’ starting quarterback, had a torn left labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Still, he had his 10th career 300-yard passing game in his 50th start.
The Bolts’ run defense had been an issue all season, but this marked their worst efforts. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ran wild for 230 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries.
Yet despite their best efforts, the Browns became the first team in the NFL to lose a regular-season or playoff game when scoring 40-plus points with 500 yards and no turnovers.
However, the Chargers proved early in the season that they could rally in close games and beat competitive teams like the Browns, winning by the score of 47-42.