Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett vs. Slater highlights 4 matchups to decide Week 5
The Cleveland Browns look to extend their winning streak to four games when they face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. These matchups, including Myles Garrett vs. Rashawn Slater, that will decide the game
The Cleveland Browns head to Los Angeles to take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers. Both teams enter the late Sunday afternoon AFC matchup with identical 3-1 records, and both squads are tied for the lead in their respective divisions.
This will be the Browns’ first time playing at SoFi Stadium, which also happens to be the site of Super Bowl LVI. The Chargers are a surging team and are serious contenders to make the postseason.
Here are four matchups to watch for in this possible AFC playoff preview.
Cleveland Browns Matchup No. 1: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah vs Austin Ekeler
The Browns struck gold when they selected Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Luckily for the Browns, the majority of NFL front offices got cold feet on draft night, and the standout playmaker from Notre Dame fell squarely in their laps on day two.
So far into JOK’s rookie campaign, everything he put on tape in college has transferred nicely to the professional level. His ability to decipher, diagnose and attack has made JOK an immediate candidate for NFL defensive rookie of the year as well as a fan favorite.
Koramoah’s next assignment will be his toughest test yet. The Chargers’ Austin Ekeler has quietly become one of the league’s most versatile running backs. So far on the young season, Ekeler has 50 carries for 283 yards and two rushing touchdowns. But what makes Ekeler especially dangerous against the Browns is his ability as a pass-catcher and a chain mover.
Ekeler has 18 receptions on 20 targets for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Of Ekeler’s 18 catches eight have gone for first downs. He has become a highly effective security blanket for Justin Herbert.
It will be up to JOK to sift through the traffic and get Ekeler on the ground shy of the first down marker on third downs. Limiting Ekeler’s ability to move the chains and stalling the Chargers’ offense will be critical to the Browns overall success.