Los Angeles quarterback Philip Rivers threw two touchdowns, Melvin Gordon ran for three scores and the Chargers shut down the Browns in a 38-14 win on Sunday in Cleveland.
The Chargers' offense confused the Browns with reverses, misdirection and pinpoint passing, handing Cleveland its first loss at home this season.
The Chargers' defense harassed rookie Baker Mayfield and shut down the NFL's second-leading rushing attack
Los Angeles (4-2) compiled 449 total yards, including 246 on the ground, and held Cleveland (2-3-1) to 317 total yards.
Rivers' numbers (11-of-20 for 207 yards and an interception) weren't spectacular, but two touchdown receptions by Tyrell Williams were.
On his first touchdown, Williams, surrounded by three Cleveland players, ripped the ball from a defender in the end zone at the 6:34 mark of the second period to put the Chargers up, 14-3.
The second Rivers-Williams strike was good for a 29-yard score and gave the Chargers a 21-3 lead with 51 seconds left in the half.
Williams finished with three receptions for 118 yards. Gordon rushed 18 times for 132 yards.
The Chargers scored on their first possession of the game, the first time they had accomplished that feat since Dec. 24, 2016.
Rivers made it look easy, marching the Chargers 57 yards in five plays with Gordon scoring a touchdown in his fifth straight game.
Cleveland's special teams, specifically punt returner Jabrill Peppers, gave the offense great field position in the first half.
But Mayfield was only able to produce three points. Penalties and pressure from the Chargers -- he was sacked four times in the first half -- stymied any momentum Cleveland might have had.
Mayfield was hobbled throughout the first half after slipping on a downs marker. The Browns also were down to just three healthy wide receivers -- Jarvis Landry and rookies Antonio Callaway and Damion Ratley.
Mayfield finished 22-of-46 for 238 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
--Field Level Media
L.A. Chargers | Cleveland | |
Melvin Gordon III | Player | Duke Johnson Jr. |
18 | Attempts | 2 |
132 | Yards | 36 |
7.3 | Avg Yards | 18.0 |
3 | Touchdowns | 0 |
16 | Long | 23 |
L.A. Chargers | Cleveland | |
Tyrell Williams | Player | Damion Ratley |
3 | Receptions | 6 |
118 | Yards | 82 |
39.3 | Avg Yards | 13.7 |
2 | Touchdowns | 0 |
45 | Long | 27 |
Yards | Scoring | Defense | ||||||
Team | Tot | Rus | Pas | TD | FG | INT | Sck | FF |
L.A. Chargers | 449 | 246 | 203 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5.0 | 0 |
Cleveland | 317 | 103 | 214 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 |