LA Chargers vs Cleveland Browns Picks and Odds (Oct 10)

LA Chargers vs Cleveland Browns Betting Preview

WagerTalk handicapper Andy Lang offers his LA Chargers vs Cleveland Browns NFL Week 5 betting preview. At the time of posting, the Chargers are -1.5 home favorites over the Browns with the total sitting at 47 points.

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Chargers vs Browns Prediction

This game features two defense that have been really good this season, and should cause problems for the opposing offenses this Sunday. Both teams feature top-five passing defenses, and Cleveland also boasts a top-five rush defense as well so points could be at a premium in this game which is why the UNDER is going to be my plan of attack for this game.

The four opponents of the Chargers this season have had their lowest point total of the year against the Chargers, so while Justin Herbert may be getting the attention, the defense has been the backbone of their success. If there is a way to exploit the Chargers it can be on the ground as they give up a little bit under 140 yards rushing so we can be assured to see a lot of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in this game. My concern with this Browns teams is that they are looking more and more like a team that can’t win a shootout or come from behind as Baker Mayfield’s accuracy remains a question. He doesn’t have more than 21 completions in a game this season, and is 19th in completion percentage with weapons in the passing game that don’t scare anyone right now. If the Chargers can get a lead and force the Browns out of the run game in the 4th quarter the advantage goes to LA, but if the Browns have the lead late look for their dominant offensive line and running game to dictate the clock and close out a win for Cleveland.

For the Chargers, we’ve seen Justin Herbert’s passing yards dropping the last three games, but they haven’t needed them as their last two wins have come as a result of turnovers, and the running game which bodes well for them if those will be consistent contributions for this team throughout the season. Herbert has no interceptions the last two games (both wins), and if he keeps his efficiency going it will be a great chess match between the Chargers passing game and the Browns defense. The Chargers are middle-of-the-pack in rushing yards per game and against this defense I wouldn’t expect a big day on the ground, but Ekeler is always a threat in the passing game, and they won’t abandon the run completely as they have been a fairly balanced team rushing and passing.

Final Thoughts: The defenses should have the offenses on their heels most of the day. The pressure of the Chargers pass rush will make passing difficult for Mayfield, and the Chargers will surely expect the one dimensional Browns to rely on the run allowing them to stack the box on running downs. The Browns front line should be able to slow down the run enough to not need help from the safeties allowing Cleveland to leave enough defenders in the secondary to make passing difficult for Herbert. Touchdowns will be few and far between, and the kickers could be very busy setting up for a close, but low scoring game. Prediction: UNDER 47

3-0 First quarter unders. They continue to be one of the best, if not the best part of my NFL wagering portfolio.

— Andy Lang (@BumpSports) October 3, 2021

LA Chargers vs Cleveland Browns Analysis from The GoldSheet

The Browns and Baker Mayfield struggled (Mayfield was just 15-of-33 passing for 155 yards with no TDs), but rode a stellar defensive effort and a solid ground performance from Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (combined 35 carries for 169 yards and Cleveland’s only TD) to an old-style, 14-7 victory last Sunday at Minnesota. Chubb and Hunt now have 596 yards rushing and six rushing TDs on the season, while Mayfield has completed 74% of his passes. The Browns’ defense held Minnesota to just 255 total yards, as the combination of DEs Myles Garrett (league-high 6 sacks) and Jadeveon Clowney continue to form one of the most feared pairs in the league. The Cleveland defense collected Kirk Cousins’ first interception of the season, as well as holding him to just 255 yards passing.

The Chargers are have been benefitting from QB Justin Herbert’s continued maturation. SoFi Stadium will again likely have its own fans balanced out no better than 50-50 with transplanted Browns supporters. Cleveland has played with some of the best (led Kansas City by nine in the fourth quarter in their only loss) and they catch the Chargers coming off short rest. Herbert doesn’t always work miracles, especially if Garrett and Clowney are chasing him down. The under has hit in all four of the Chargers’ games this season.

Chargers vs Browns Preview

With both the Chargers and Browns sitting at 3-1 on the season, this could be a potential AFC Playoff preview. WagerTalk NFL handicappers Drew Martin, Andy Lang and Andrew McInnis offer their betting preview of Sunday’s AFC showdown at SoFi Stadium.

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