Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview & Picks

Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview & Picks

Ayden Fahlstrom
2 years ago
3 min read
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview & Picks

One of the most intriguing games on the Week 5 NFL schedule features the Cleveland Browns visiting the Los Angeles Chargers, as both teams enter the game at 3-1. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Current betting odds list the Chargers as two-point favorites at home with the over/under set at 47 points.

The Browns are already 0-1 against the AFC West this year after losing to the Chiefs in Week 1. However, Cleveland has been on a roll since that loss, knocking off the Texans, Bears, and Vikings in consecutive weeks. Of course, three straight wins are only good enough to put the Browns in a three-way tie atop the AFC North with the Bengals and Ravens, who are also 3-1.

The Chargers are in a similar position, as they are tied with the Broncos and Raiders at 3-1. The caveat is that Los Angeles is already 2-0 inside the AFC West with wins over the Chiefs and Raiders. Through four weeks, a home loss to the Cowboys in Week 2 is the only blemish the Chargers have on their record.

Herbert, Fully Loaded

Justin Herbert seems to have the Los Angeles offense rolling over the past two weeks, scoring at least 28 points in back-to-back games. The Chargers left a lot of points on the board during their first two games with Herbert throwing three interceptions. However, he’s gotten more support from the running game lately, helping him to throw seven touchdown passes and no interceptions in wins over the Chiefs and Raiders.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles defense has been solid all season. Even against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, the Chargers held the KC offense to a modest 24 points while forcing four turnovers. With Joey Bosa coming off the edge, the LA defense can make things particularly uncomfortable for teams when the Chargers are playing with a lead.

Run It Up

Not surprisingly, the Browns have been the best running team in the NFL through the first four weeks of the season. Led by the tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who are both averaging better than five yards per carry, the Browns are gaining 177 yards from scrimmage per game on the ground. The caveat is that Hunt is the team’s leading receiver, so throwing the ball downfield is an issue, even with Odell Beckham back from injury.

On the other side of the ball, the Browns have a top-5 defense that’s giving up just 16.8 points per game. Outside of facing the Chiefs in Week 1, the Browns have lucked out a little with games against the Texans and Bears, who were both playing rookie quarterbacks. But with the way Cleveland stuffed Minnesota’s running game last week, the Browns are no fluke defensively.

Road Warriors?

Outside of a Week 1 game in Kansas City, this will be the biggest challenge the Browns have faced this season. With their running game, the Browns should be able to move the ball and give themselves a chance to win on the road. But after letting the game get away in Week 1, Cleveland could face a similar challenge against Herbert and the Chargers this week.

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