Tag: Browns

Browns name their starting QB for Week 11 vs. Saints

Jameis Winston will get to start against his former team in Week 11. The former Saints QB is going to lead the Browns out of the tunnel at the Caesars Superdome:

Jameis Winston will get to start against his former team in Week 11. The former New Orleans Saints quarterback is going to lead the Cleveland Browns out of the tunnel next Sunday at the Caesars Superdome. Winston stepped into the lineup after injuries sidelined Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and he hasn’t looked back.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday that Winston will remain the team’s starter coming out of their bye week, which means Winston has an opportunity to beat the last team he suited up for. Winston spent the last four years of his career with New Orleans, but he’s played against the Saints before. He started five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So what was his record against the black and gold?

Winston went 3-9 against the Saints during his time with Tampa Bay, throwing nearly as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (11) and taking 24 sacks. He’s grown a lot since then but  remains a volatile passer with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in just two starts with the Browns.

So we’ll see if he can take advantage of a banged-up Saints secondary to make some plays on Sunday. Winston made a lot of friends in the New Orleans locker room during his four years with the team, but when they kick off this week it’ll be all-business between thee whistles.

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Game Balls: 5 standouts from Chargers’ blowout win in Week 9

The Chargers put together yet another impressive performance with a blowout victory over the Browns.

The Chargers dominated the Browns from the first snap on Sunday. The victory moves Los Angeles to 5-3 on the season, and their sights are fully set on making the postseason now.

Once again, it was a total team effort from all three phases of the ball on Sunday. With that, here are five of the Chargers who stood out the most in the 27-10 win.

RB J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins didn’t have a game with over 4.0 yards per carry since Week 2 against the Panthers. A large reason for that was his inability to break longer runs as of recent. That changed on Sunday when he reeled off a 34-yard run, something we haven’t seen since those first few weeks of the season. Dobbins finished with an efficient 85 yards on just 14 carries in addition to two touchdowns on the ground. He added in two catches for 20 yards, and this running back job continues to be his.

WR Quentin Johnston

Johnston returned to action after missing the last two games, and he looked phenomenal. It was arguably the best game of his career, which included a 66-yard touchdown. The second-year product finished with four catches, a career-high 118 yards, and that long touchdown. It was the first 100-yard game of his NFL career, and he’s already doubled his touchdown total from 2023.

CB Tarheeb Still

The fifth-round rookie had the best game of his young career. Still snagged one of the defense’s three interceptions, which was the first one of his career. Additionally, he added three impressive pass deflections. Still was tremendous in coverage throughout the day and may have just earned himself more playing time moving forward.

S Derwin James Sr.

Similar to Still, James was phenomenal in pass coverage on Sunday. The star safety registered two pass deflections on the day as well as seven total tackles. It was one of his better performances in 2024, and the Chargers secondary as a whole was extraordinary in Week 9.

EDGE Tuli Tuipolotu

Make that back-to-back impressive performances for Tuipolotu. As a result, he receives his second consecutive game ball. He was continuously in Cleveland’s backfield on Sunday and finished with a career-high 2.5 sacks in the contest. All 3.5 of his sacks on the season have now come in the last two games. It’s been quite the response from the second-year edge rusher, as he continues to get better each week.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 9 win over Browns

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Browns.

In Week 9, the Chargers defeated the Browns, 27-10.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

That said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

OT Rashawn Slater — 75.7

QB Justin Herbert — 74.7

WR Ladd McConkey — 72.6

WR Joshua Palmer — 70.8

WR Quentin Johnston — 70.1

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 89.0

LB Troy Dye — 86.9

S Derwin James — 85.7

S Alohi Gilman — 81.4

CB Tarheeb Still — 79.4

Bottom 5 Offense

OL Zion Johnson — 41.9

TE Will Dissly — 45.7

TE Eric Tomlinson — 51.5

RB Kimani Vidal — 51.9

WR Jalen Reagor — 53.8

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa — 46.0

CB Cam Hart — 47.6

DL Otito Ogbonnia — 48.0

LB Denzel Perryman — 53.3

EDGE Bud Dupree — 64.0

Social media reacts to Chargers’ win over the Browns

Here is how social media reacted to the Chargers’ win, with most praising Jesse Minter for engineering another strong defensive performance.

The Chargers defeated the Browns on Sunday.

The Bolts are now 5-3.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Week 9 win:

Everything to know from Chargers’ win over Browns

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ 27-10 win over the Browns.

The Chargers beat the Browns on Sunday afternoon, improving to 5-3.

Here’s our recap of the Week 9 win.

It was over when…

The Chargers went up 20-3 right before the half. The offense was rolling, and the defense was stymying Jameis Winston and company. The defensive dominance carried over into the second half.

Notable number

According to NextGen Stats, Justin Herbert has reached 100+ passing yards on passes over ten air yards in three straight games since their Week 5 bye. He totaled just 145 yards on such attempts in Weeks 1-4.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: Herbert put together yet another strong performance, completing 18-of-27 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
  2. WR Quentin Johnston: Johnston led the team in receiving with 118 yards on four catches, including a 66-yard TD.
  3. Defense: 6 sacks, 3 interceptions

Quick hits

  • The Chargers defense pitched a near-shutout. Jesse Minter’s unit allowed a field goal before a garbage-time touchdown in the final minute. The Browns managed only 57 yards in the first half. They sacked Jameis Winston six times and picked him off three times.
  • The Chargers had the best scoring defense coming into the game, and they only improved as they gave up just 10 points.
  • Fifth-round pick Tarheeb Still played a vital role in the defense’s solid day. Still had an interception and two passes defended.
  • The interior pass rush hasn’t been effective this season, but they finally got a spark from Morgan Fox, who had two sacks.
  • The run defense was stout, limiting Nick Chubb to just 2.9 yards per carry.
  • Herbert posted his third straight total of over 275 passing yards and second consecutive contest of multiple passing touchdowns. He also didn’t throw an interception, marking his sixth straight game without a pick.
  • J.K. Dobbins had two rushing touchdowns, including a scamper for 34, but he was largely ineffective outside of that carry as he struggled to find running room.
  • The Chargers’ second-half offensive struggles popped up again. They only managed one first down on their first five drives.

What’s next?

The Chargers are back home to face the Titans next Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1:05 pm PT.

Chargers highlight: Tarheeb Still, Elijah Molden combine for the interception vs. Browns

That was Jameis Winston’s 100th career interception.

Elijah Molden has his third interception of the season.

The Chargers allowed the Browns to engineer a 14 play, 65 yard drive to open the second half as Cleveland grinded their way all the way to LA’s 5 yard line. On first and goal, a Jameis Winston slant to Cedric Tillman was dropped before a hard hit by linebacker Troy Dye, setting up second and goal.

With Tarheeb Still in the game for the injured Ja’Sir Taylor, who left with a fibula injury he’s been dealing with for the better part of the season, Winston looked his way. The fifth round rookie was lined up against Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland’s best receiver this season.

Jeudy ran a corner route as Winston tried to layer the ball over Still’s head, but the rookie got up and tipped the ball with one hand. The tip brought the ball back into the field of play with no other Browns players near it, allowing Molden to safely make the catch and get down for a touchback.

The interception widens Molden’s team lead in picks, as he is the only Chargers player with multiple interceptions on the season. It was also Winston’s 100th career interception.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1853164099909099748

Chargers highlight: J.K. Dobbins breaks through for 16-yard touchdown

Los Angeles is starting to pour it on.

Los Angeles is starting to pour it on.

After the Chargers defense forced another three and out of the Browns offense, aided by a Jerry Jeudy illegal motion penalty, LA took over for another offensive drive on their own 40 yard line.

The Chargers found another third down conversion after Browns cornerback Denzel Ward dropped back too far in anticipation of another deep pass, leaving Quentin Johnston open for a 21 yard gain on an out route. On the ensuing first down, Justin Herbert found Ladd McConkey over the middle for 19 yards to bring the Chargers into the red zone.

JK Dobbins had been having a tough game, with 4 carries for just 5 yards. But because of the strength of the passing game, a sweep handoff to the left fooled the Browns into thinking it was a play action pass. Dobbins cut the handoff back inside and found running room up the middle for a 16 yard touchdown.

Dobbins’ score, his fifth of the season, gave the Chargers a 20-3 lead in the second quarter. It’s the second straight game Dobbins has scored in after finding the end zone against the Saints and his third touchdown in the last four games.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1853154173996413088

Chargers highlight: Justin Herbert, Quentin Johnston connect for 60-yard touchdown

The Chargers have gotten two huge coverage busts from Cleveland in the first half.

The Chargers have gotten two huge coverage busts from Cleveland in the first half.

Joshua Palmer scored on a third and 20 play in the first quarter, when a miscommunication between the Browns secondary left the receiver wide open down the sideline for a 27 yard touchdown to open the scoring.

With a third and 6 from their own 34 after Myles Garrett’s third sack of the game earlier in the drive, it seemed like the Chargers were well on their way to their third straight three and out.

Justin Herbert dropped back and ran a few feet to his right before resetting his feet and delivering a strike downfield, revealing a wide open Quentin Johnston down the sideline as the broadcast camera panned downfield. Browns cornerback Denzel Ward and safety Juan Thornhill had miscommunicated about who was supposed to take Johnston’s route.

Johnston looked the ball into his hands, making the catch and speeding down the sideline to beat Thornhill to the corner for a 66 yard touchdown, the longest reception of his career. The touchdown was also his fourth of the season and first since Week 3.

It was also Herbert’s tenth passing touchdown of the season, giving the Chargers a 13-3 lead after Cameron Dicker missed his third extra point of the season.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1853150947049943520

Chargers highlight: Justin Herbert hits Joshua Palmer to open the scoring vs. Browns

The Chargers are off to a 7-0 lead.

The Chargers are out to a 7-0 lead.

After a big punt return from Derius Davis to the Browns 30 yard line, Los Angeles had a rocky drive stalled by a Joe Alt hold, negative JK Dobbins run, and a sack allowed on Justin Herbert.

With 3rd and 20 from the 27 yard line, nobody would have blamed the Chargers for trying to get into better field goal position. Instead, Los Angeles sent receivers to the end zone, trying to find a touchdown to finish the fortuitous drive.

Joshua Palmer and Ladd McConkey lined up on the right side and both streaked down the field. The Browns safety followed McConkey inside down the seam, leaving Palmer free to run by cornerback Denzel Ward to the corner. Ward thought he had safety help behind him, declining to run with Palmer.

Herbert found the open man quickly, delivering a throw to Palmer for the wide open touchdown to open the scoring. The touchdown, Herbert’s ninth and Palmer’s first of the season, gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1853140534120050837

Chargers inactives: See who’s in and who’s out for Week 9 vs. Browns

Find out if DJ Chark Jr. will make his Chargers debut on Sunday.

The Chargers are about 90 minutes away from kicking off Week 9 against the Browns.

Here is a look at their inactive players today:

QB Easton Stick (emergency 3rd QB)

CB Kristian Fulton

WR DJ Chark

OL Brenden Jaimes

OL Jordan McFadden

TE Stone Smartt

DL Justin Eboigbe

Despite being activated from injured reserve on Saturday, Chark will not make his Chargers debut today.