2024 Chargers 27, Browns 10
The Browns played a decent game, but the Chargers are so well-coached and disciplined that they’ll always come out and beat an erratic/weak team like the Browns. It felt like LAC had a two-score lead the entire game, they really impressed me with this win.
LAC (5-3) is so close to being a threatening playoff team, but no attempt for a WR at the trade deadline shows me that the coaches and FO aren’t serious about winning. They are Kimani Vidal starting at RB and a WR away from competing with Denver and KC. The Chargers have a very nice fantasy schedule for the rest of the season.
The Browns (2-7) are probably the best of all of the 2 win teams, and Winston is a big part of that. The O-line appears to be playing markedly better since Deshaun went down for the season. Funny how that works.
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QB Report:
- Justin Herbert (18/27 for 282 yards, 2 TDs) has played great the last 4 weeks, and has been incredibly efficient. He’s being overshadowed by other QBs because of a lack of TDs, but that’s always been the issue with the Chargers – this goes back to the Phillip Rivers days. Herbert is averaging 7.3 more FF-ppg in the last 4 games vs. his first 4 games.
- Jameis Winston (26/46 for 235 yards, 1 TD/ 3 INTs; 5 rushes for 37 yards) had a down game as expected, a slam dunk of a Pest play. The Browns are facing some of the best pass D’s and worst pass D’s the next 8 games of the season, so just play the matchups if you’re using Winston.
RB Report:
- Nick Chubb (15-39-0) is 2024’s forgotten player, I haven’t seen anyone talk about him at all, anywhere. It’s strange. I’d like to dedicate this section to everyone that remembers Nick Chubb, isn’t he freaking awesome?
- Since no one is talking about Nick Chubb he’s a great buy-low right now in dynasty. He hasn’t had a good game since Week 1 of 2023 because his leg blew up and then has faced two of the best run defenses in the league. He looks fine on tape and is going to have a big game as the defenses ebb and flow like Jameis will.
WR Report:
- Cedric Tillman (6-75-1/11) is proving to be matchup-proof, a set-and-forget receiver as long as Winston is playing. His status was saved by a late touchdown in this game, but he still SHOULD have had a big game… Tillman dropped a TD early, had a 20-yard catch wiped by a penalty, and another 10+ yarder the Winston underthrew.
- Jameis is turning Jerry Jeudy () into a good receiver just because there’s so much volume in this passing game. Winston has a license to throw which will boost everyone in this offense.
- Ladd McConkey (5-64-0/7) is Herbert’s top receiver and favorite receiver, but his game flow is always so strange. The first drive or two it’s as much Ladd as he can get. Then multiple drives or quarters will go by without a single look, then he gets every target late in the game as they try to go for a win or put the other team to bed. Nothing else you can do but ride it out as he’s the only real receiving threat LAC has, and has been getting as the season has progressed.
image source: (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)