Cleveland Browns 2022 opponent preview: Los Angeles Chargers

Oct 10, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns get their rematch with the Los Angeles Chargers in a Week 5 game. Both teams will be looking to get off to a good start on the season

The Cleveland Browns will have a chance to seek revenge on one particular loss a year ago when they play the Los Angeles Chargers at home in a Week 5 matchup. A year ago, Cleveland went to Los Angeles and looked in control of an early-season game but lost late.

Mistakes by the Browns defense giving up big play after big play and an offense that sputtered in the second half led to the Charger’s comeback victory.

That was then and this is now.

Cleveland has a new quarterback in Deshaun Watson and the team should be better prepared in a home game not to have a collapse like they did last time.

Los Angeles Chargers 2021 season

Despite the Chargers getting off to a 4-1 start, the team faltered again down the stretch and finished the season with a 9-8 record. They also lost the last game of the regular season to the Las Vegas Raiders to keep them out of the playoffs.

It was the second season for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert who has had a lot of hype coming into the league. His team has come close in his two seasons so far but has not been able to get a playoff berth. They had big wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles last year.

They beat the Browns too a year ago in a high-scoring affair winning 47-42.

The Chargers and new coach Brandon Staley had a habit of going for it on fourth down attempts and they had early season success against teams like Cleveland. But as the season dragged on some of those attempts backfired and led to losses.

There will be mounting pressure on the young Herbert to produce and get his Chargers to the playoffs this season.

Key offseason moves

One of the bigger moves this offseason for the Chargers was their trade for veteran defensive end Khalil Mack. The former Raider and Chicago Bear still has a few good years left in the tank. The All-Pro EDGE has 76.5 career sacks and should give the Chargers defense a boost playing along with new teammate Joey Bosa. Another defensive addition was J.C. Jackson, who had 17 picks the last two seasons with New England.

The Chargers also picked up another offensive guard in the draft named Zion Johnson, out of Boston College. He and Rashawn Slater, the left tackle the team picked up in last year’s draft should help protest their valuable quarterback.

When do the teams meet?

The Cleveland Browns and L.A. Chargers face off in Week 5 on October 9th down at First Energy Stadium at 1:00 pm.

Cleveland will have returned from Atlanta the week before. The Chargers will be coming from Houston where they had a Week 4 matchup with the Texans.

The last time the Cleveland Browns played the Los Angelas Chargers

You don’t have to look too far back as these two teams played in a Week 5 matchup a year ago. The Browns lost in a shootout 47-42. Cleveland lost the lead in the second half after their defense gave up big plays. The Browns struggled to move the ball in the second half.

Running back Nick Chubb had a great first half and finished the game with 21 carries for 161 yards that including a beautiful 52-yard run touchdown in the third quarter. It helped put his team up 27-13 and should have been the nail in the coffin, but the Brown’s defense played poorly, and the Browns decided to go away from running the ball.

Player to watch

We mentioned DE Khalil Mack before, and he could cause havoc in the Browns backfield. There’s also their quarterback Justin Herbert and his favorite wide receiver Mike Williams. These two dissected the Browns a year ago in that comeback win.

If the game a year ago was any indication of what to expect in this year’s rematch expect more fireworks.

I would imagine the Browns have circled Week 5 as one of those “must-wins” to return the favor on the Chargers.

Schedule