Tag: Nick Chubb

Saints starting linebacker expected to play through injury vs. Browns

Pete Werner is a gametime decision, but he is expected to play as the Saints aim to continue Nick Chubb’s slow return from injury:

The New Orleans Saints are expected to have their full compliment of linebackers against the Cleveland Browns. While Demario Davis and Willie Gay were healthy, Pete Werner was managing a hand injury that kept him out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

At Friday’s practice, Werner was able to get on the field in a limited capacity. That didn’t add any certainty to his status for Sunday, as Werner was listed as a game time decision. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, the expectation is Werner will play.

The Saints will need all of their linebackers to contribute versus the Browns. Nick Chubb has struggled to regain form since returning from injury, but you still remember the player he used to be and know he can snap back at any moment.

Cleveland will look to run the ball, so having Davis, Werner, and Gay all at your disposal will help neutralize that aspect of the offense.

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Saints can’t allow Nick Chubb to have a bounce-back performance

Nick Chubb has struggled since returning from a major injury, and the Browns’ bye week may have been exactly what he needed. The Saints can’t allow him to bounce back:

This can’t be the game Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb returns to form, not if the New Orleans Saints want to win a second consecutive week.

Prior to being injured at the beginning of the 2023 season, Chubb was one of the best running backs in the league. There was hopes he could help add a spark to the Cleveland Browns offense upon his return. That simply didn’t happen.

Chubb’s best game was against Baltimore, where he averaged 3.2 yards per carry and ended with 52 yards.

Struggles should have been expected, and surpassing those expectations should have been a welcomed surprise.

Coming off a bye week seems like an optimal time for Chubb to step up his performance. Facing the Saints’ struggling also presents a chance to return to form. Missed tackles have plagued New Orleans this year.

Allowing Chubb to have a bounce back game will allow to the Browns to unlock their preferred method of offense. It also attacks the weaker point of the Saints defense. That’s a double whammy New Orleans can’t afford.

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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 vs. Browns: Going behind enemy lines to preview Week 9 matchup

To get an idea of what to expect from the Chargers’ Week 9 opponent, we went Behind Enemy Lines with Browns Wire editor Cory Kinnan.

The Chargers head to Cleveland on Sunday for an AFC matchup with the Browns. Both rosters look vastly different from the last time the two teams played in 2022.

To get an idea of what to expect from the Browns, we went Behind Enemy Lines with Browns Wire editor Cory Kinnan.

What impact has Jameis Winston’s insertion into the starting lineup had on this Browns offense?

It’s pretty hard to deny the impact of the quarterback position in Cleveland after seeing Joe Flacco routinely throw for 300 yards, then none for the first seven games of the 2024 season, then one the week a quarterback change happened. This is a talented roster, and the most important aspect inserting Winston changes is the protection up front. With Winston getting the ball out on time, the pass protection looks night-and-day different.

Cleveland is playing like a league-average defense after finishing first in EPA/play last season. What’s changed on that unit?

They kind of got back into a rhythm last week against the Ravens. Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. has certainly shown some regression, which is hurting the defense as a whole. For the most part, however, they have just been on the field way too much. With sustained offensive drives a week ago, the defense was able to catch its breath and retake the field well-rested.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was ruled out early in the week. How does his absence affect what the Browns want to do defensively?

Losing a battery in the middle of the defense is not easy, especially with their MIKE linebacker out as well in Jordan Hicks. However, they have gotten stellar play out of former undrafted linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, which softens the blow. However, Devin Bush will likely start at WILL in place of Owusu-Koramoah, and that is a massive blow to the Browns defensively. There is no replacing the ability to avoid blocks and instantly shoot gaps that Owusu-Koramoah brings to the field.

How close is Nick Chubb to 100%? Should Chargers fans be worried about him going for 134 yards and 2 TDs as he did last time these two teams met?

He showed signs of his old self last week against the Ravens, finding narrow backside cuts that only a select view backs have the vision to hunt out. Chubb has shown he’s not bracing for contact and isn’t fearing initiating it, either. He’s pretty close if he isn’t 100 percent yet. The run blocking up front is the main issue here, not the health of Chubb.

What’s your score prediction for the game?

This Browns roster is excellent. They were a year ago and had been anchored by inept quarterback play. They could still make a run in a down AFC over the next few weeks. That run continues this week. It won’t be easy against a physical and well-coached Chargers team, but the Browns pull it out 27-24.

5 Browns players to watch vs. Chargers

The Browns look like a different team with Jameis Winston at quarterback, which should make for a solid Week 9 matchup against the Chargers.

It’s been a disappointing year for the Browns after they went 11-6 and made the postseason in 2023. The AFC North side has already matched its loss total from last year, as they are 2-6 through two months of the season.

The Browns did upset the Ravens last week though, and the offense looks completely different with Jameis Winston under center. With that, here are some players that the Chargers will have to keep an eye on this upcoming weekend.

RB Nick Chubb

One of the best running backs in the league when healthy, Chubb returned to action in Week 7 after a gruesome knee injury last year. In his first two games of the year, he’s ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts. After just 30 snaps in his season debut, he ramped up to playing 60% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 8. Expect that number to continue to increase, and the Chargers defense must contain them if they want to win this game.

TE David Njoku

After the best season of his career in 2023, Njoku is rounding back into that form over the last few weeks. In the last two games, he’s caught 15 passes for 137 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He’s one of the best tight ends in the NFL when healthy and with Winston now at quarterback, he has someone that can get him the ball. Slowing Njoku down should be the Chargers’ #1 priority in the passing game.

RT Jack Conklin

The trenches will be where this game will be won on both sides of the ball. Conklin will likely face Khalil Mack most of the game, and that will be the matchup of the day. Mack continues to be an elite edge rusher for Los Angeles, and Conklin has been solid in 2024.

EDGE Za’Darius Smith

While Myles Garrett gets all of the attention, Smith is still quite the player at 32 years old. The Chargers’ elite offensive tackle duo will have their hands full on Sunday with the Browns pass rush. In eight games this season, the three-time Pro Bowler has 5.0 sacks in addition to five tackles for loss. Smith is on pace for the fourth double-digit sack campaign of his career.

S Juan Thornhill

The former Chiefs safety has helped solidify the safety position for the Browns in 2024. He’s played in just three games as he dealt with a calf injury for awhile, but he’s now back in the lineup. Albeit in limited action, Thornhill has been highly effective against the run this season. We’ll see what kind of impact he has against J.K. Dobbins and the Chargers’ rushing attack.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 9 opponent: Browns

Here are some important things to know about the Browns ahead of the Week 9 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are on the road to face the Browns on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 11:00 a.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 9 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Browns are 2-6 on the season. Cleveland is coming off a 29-24 win over the Ravens. Before that, they had lost five straight games.

Jameis provides a spark

Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, and Winston got the start in Week 8 against the Ravens. The veteran journeyman stepped up in a big way, completing 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. His performance was a much-needed boost for a struggling offense. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Winston will continue to start at quarterback.

Stalled on the ground

The Browns’ rushing offense hasn’t been anything to write home about. Nick Chubb, who suffered a gruesome injury last season, is back in the fold. Slowly working his way back, Chubb has carried the ball 27 times for 74 yards and a touchdown in his two games. Overall, Cleveland is 27th in rushing, averaging only 92.5 yards per carry.

Middle-of-the-pack defense

The Browns rank 18th in points allowed (23.3 ppg), 12th against the pass (200.6 yards per game) and 18th against the run (125.9 ypg). Cleveland could be without a couple of defensive starters. Cornerback Denzel Ward is in concussion protocol. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is out with a neck injury. Jordan Hicks has been out the last three of four contests with an elbow/triceps injury.

Look out for…

Edge rushers Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt have been lights out this season, and they must continue to play at a high level against two premier pass rushers. Garrett and Smith have 36 and 24 quarterback pressures, respectively.

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

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Will Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry’s success change how RBs are viewed in free agency?

Will Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry’s success change how the running back position is viewed in free agency?

Five of the NFL’s top ten leading rushers in 2024 were on different teams in 2023, and three of those players, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs, were vocal about running backs getting the short end of the stick when it comes to contracts, and a fair pay scale for the position.

Before this season, only Christian McCaffrey ($19M) and Alvin Kamara ($15M) were the outliers for massive contracts for running backs. Since then, Jonathan Taylor scored a deal for $14 million per season, while Barkley ($12.5M) and Jacobs ($12M) have proven the doubters the wrong on dishing out considerable contracts to running backs.

Ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the Bengals, Barkley was asked if his and Derrick Henry’s success this season can change how the position is viewed in free agency and when new deals are discussed.

Barkley is among the top five in rushing yards, while Henry is on pace to shatter the league’s single-season rushing record. Joe Mixon, David Montgomery, and Aaron Jones flourish with new teams or deals.

James Conner (Cardinals), Jones, Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, J.K. Dobbins, and Chuba Hubbard are among the big names who’ll test free agency, and this new theory that dual-threat running backs deserve to be paid like their counterparts at wide receiver.

Nick Chubb keeps football from ‘special’ first touchdown since return

A touchdown he’ll always remember

There were many emotions as running back Nick Chubb took the field for the first time in 3. his Cleveland Browns uniform.

One of the tearjerkers of the day was seeing the favorite back in the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season. When asked why he kept the game ball, Chubb, known for being quiet and minimizing celebrations after touchdowns, responded, “That one was special.”

Chubb’s return wasn’t all that he and the fans had hoped for. He and the other running backs were on the losing side of the battle in the trenches for most of the day, limiting their ground game production. With the possible return of Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller in Week 8, Chubb and company would surely benefit from him being on the field.

Chubb and company would undoubtedly benefit from having Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller on the field, who is hopeful to return in week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens.