Cleveland Browns Instant Reactions: Bad defense spells doom

Cleveland Browns Instant Reactions: Big plays, bad defense spell doom against Chargers

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: The Cleveland Browns defense pushes Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers into the endzone for a Chargers touchdown during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1 of 4

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 10: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

A loss to the Los Angeles Chargers drops the Cleveland Browns to 3-2 on the season and ends their three-game winning streak

The Cleveland Browns had the chance to head to the sunny skies of California this week as they battled the Los Angeles Chargers today. Both teams were 3-1 coming into the game. The game ended up being a shootout in the second half as both teams went back and forth and the Chargers were the last team standing winning 47-42.

There was a lot of chatter prior to the game of how Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield would perform after a couple of sub-par games and a recent shoulder injury. The Browns defense had played very well the previous two games only giving up single digits in each game. How would they do this game?

It didn’t take long for those answers as the Browns were off and running behind their run game and Mayfield’s solid start. The defense forced a late first-half fumble and helped the Browns extend their lead at the half.

However, the Chargers kept coming in the second half and eventually took the lead 28-27 in the 4th quarter. Then the game went back and forth as the Browns took the lead back 42-35 behind big plays. But the Chargers fought back and won going away.

Mayfield reverted to playing some bad football in the second half. Browns coach Stefanski also had some very suspect play calls late and didn’t use his running back Nick Chubb late in the game after Chubb had had a great game.