Browns vs. Chargers: 4 keys to victory

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam talks with quarterback Josh McCown (13) before the game against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Every game is important over the course of an NFL season. But with a record of 1-2, the Browns need a victory this week to avoid falling to 1-3 before a tough stretch of the schedule.

The Chargers have a lot to play for as well, as they are also 1-2, with games against the Steelers and Packers following this Sunday.

While the Chargers were quietly preparing for this game like most teams do, the Browns had to deal with a possibly fabricated TMZ “report” on how several Browns players want Johnny Manziel to be the starting quarterback.

Things like this only serve as distractions, no matter if it is true or false. Even if the report is accurate, there is bound to be some detractors on an NFL roster. My only question is why the players would talk to TMZ compared to other news outlets, while still remaining anonymous.

See, this nonsense report has me all confused when I should be focusing on this Sunday as well.

There is a desire in the mainstream media to continue focusing on Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown when the team has a great deal of problems to deal with that do not involve either player.

The defense has been terrible, there have been special teams miscues, and the running game has been inconsistent and nowhere near where it needs to be for the Browns to avoid another wasted season. So let’s stop focusing on a small pocket of the problem, and look what the Browns must do as a team to win against the Chargers.

Next: Contain Melvin Gordon