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Cleveland Browns: Grades from thrilling victory over the Chargers

By Jonathan Goehring

Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor (21) celebrates after making an interception during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor (21) celebrates after making an interception during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor (21) celebrates after making an interception during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor (21) celebrates after making an interception during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary: B

Even the secondary got in on the pass rushing efforts of the Browns, as Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Ed Reynolds were sent to force the ball out of the hands of Rivers prematurely.

Against San Diego’s receivers, this unit also thrived. Holding wide receivers to a total of 173 receiving yards on the afternoon, Cleveland’s pressure paid off. After an early Travis Benjamin catch of 50 yards on the opening play of the game, Joe Haden and company locked in and forced the Chargers to rely more on their tight ends.

Jamar Taylor also made a huge play by picking off Rivers in the second quarter, and he also had an additional pass break up. This sort of play seemed to be a common theme against San Diego, a reversed narrative from each other week this season when Cleveland’s secondary has been one of their primary weaknesses.

Moving forward, it would seem logical to bring more pressure on opposing quarterbacks in order to assist this secondary. With the way they performed on Saturday under these much different circumstances, Horton and the defense may be on to something.

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