Cleveland Browns vs L.a. Chargers Chargers Picks and Predictions November 3rd 2024

Browns vs Chargers November 3rd 2024

The Chargers are favored on the road with a -2 point spread as they take on the Browns at 1:00 ET on Sunday, November 3rd at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. The Chargers’ money line odds are -126, while the Browns have +106 odds. The over/under line is currently at 42 points. This week nine AFC matchup is being televised on CBS.

After a week 7 loss to the Cardinals, the Chargers bounced back with a 26-8 win over the Saints in week 8, bringing their record to 4-3. Los Angeles was favored by 7.5 points and covered the spread, but the 34 combined points fell short of the 41.5-point line. The Chargers have gone under in two straight games and are 1-6 on O/U this season.

Heading into week 9, the Chargers have a +5.9 scoring margin and are 4-2-1 against the spread. They are 4-1 ATS as favorites but 0-1-1 as underdogs. Our projections give them a 60.4% chance of making the playoffs, but they rank 20th in our NFL power rankings.

Heading into week 9, the Chargers are 18th in our offensive power rankings. They are 24th in the NFL in points per game (18.9) and 22nd in yards per game (311.1). Los Angeles ranks 23rd in passing attempts and passing yards per game, averaging 194 yards through the air. On the ground, they are 10th in rushing attempts and 20th in rushing yards per game. The Chargers have been strong on 3rd down, converting 40.4% of their attempts, which ranks 9th in the league. They are also 2nd in the NFL in red zone conversion percentage.

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Justin Herbert has been playing well, posting a passer rating of 111 in week 8, with 279 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Saints. He has not thrown an interception in his last 3 games. J.K. Dobbins had 57 rushing yards on 17 carries in week 8, while Ladd McConkey led the team with 6 catches for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Chargers’ defense was outstanding on third downs in their most recent game, allowing the Saints to convert just 12.5% of their chances. They also had five sacks and held the Saints to 117 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Despite allowing 366 total yards, the Chargers didn’t give up a touchdown, as the Saints managed only two field goals in their 26-8 win.

Against the pass, the Chargers gave up 249 yards on 22 completions, with the Saints managing just a 52.4% completion rate.

With a 2-6 record, the Browns sit 4th in the AFC North and 17th in our power rankings. They have an 8.3% chance of making the playoffs and a 0.8% chance of winning the division. Cleveland is 1-1 in division games and 2-2 against the AFC. They are 1-3 both at home and on the road.

Against the spread, the Browns are 3-5, with all three of their wins coming as underdogs. In week 8, they beat the Ravens 29-24, covering the +7 line. The teams combined for 53 points, going over the 44.5-point line. Cleveland’s O/U record is 3-5 this season.

Heading into week 9, the Browns’ offense ranks 30th in our power rankings, with a passing attack that is 28th in the NFL, averaging 179.8 yards per game. Despite ranking 3rd in passing attempts, they have struggled to convert on 3rd down, with a 29th-ranked conversion rate of 27.7%. Cleveland is 27th in rushing, averaging 92.5 yards per game on 22.5 attempts.

Jameis Winston took over at QB in week 8, throwing for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns on 27/41 passing. Cedric Tillman led the team with 7 catches for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Nick Chubb had 52 rushing yards on 16 carries.

The Browns’ defense held the Ravens to a 20% conversion rate on third down in their 29-24 win over Baltimore. Despite this, they allowed 124 rushing yards on just 21 attempts, giving up 5.9 yards per attempt. Cleveland’s defense also allowed 263 passing yards, with two passing touchdowns and a 60.5% completion rate for the Ravens.

Even though they allowed 387 total yards, the Browns did come up with three sacks and had one more tackle for loss than the Ravens. This helped them secure the win, even with some struggles defending the run.

Our pick vs. the spread for this week nine matchup between the Chargers and Browns is to take the Browns to cover as home underdogs. The point spread is currently sitting at +2 in favor of the Browns, and we have them winning by a score of 26-21.

For the over/under, we really like the over, with a projected combined score of 47 points. With the O/U line at just 42 points, there is a lot of value in taking the over in this one.

Browns’ Playoff Hopes Rest in Jameis Winston’s Hands Against Strong Chargers Defense

Jameis Winston’s resurgence in Cleveland is an unexpected storyline as the Cleveland Browns (2-6) prepare to host the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) this Sunday. Once a backup, Winston now steps into the starting role, charged with revitalizing a team fighting to stay in the playoff race after injuries to Deshaun Watson and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Winston showed he still has a powerful arm and sharp instincts, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 29-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This performance earned him the starting job for the remainder of the season, a decision head coach Kevin Stefanski made official early this week.

“My main focus is getting back out there and having a great practice today and continuing to lead this offense to do what we’re capable of doing,” Winston said on Wednesday, keeping his sights on steady progress rather than on personal accomplishments.

Winston’s Long Road Back to the Starting Lineup

Drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, Winston’s career trajectory has been anything but smooth. In 2019, Winston led the league with 5,109 passing yards but also threw an NFL-high 30 interceptions. The Buccaneers opted to move on, and after a four-year stint with the New Orleans Saints, Winston joined Cleveland in March as a backup to Watson. Now, with Watson out for the season due to an Achilles injury, Winston has the opportunity to show he still has what it takes to lead an NFL team.

“Our guys are physical. Our guys are up for the challenge,” Winston said, showing confidence as he looks ahead to the Chargers’ top-ranked defense.

Chargers Bring Defensive Heat to Cleveland

The Los Angeles Chargers present a formidable challenge. They lead the NFL in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 13 points per game, and rank eighth in total defense, limiting teams to 305.4 yards per game. They’re coming off a 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints, a game in which they showcased their defensive prowess and offensive depth.

Chargers rookie receiver Ladd McConkey emerged as a playmaker against the Saints, hauling in six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Herbert, coming off back-to-back games with over 275 passing yards, praised McConkey’s versatility.

“He’s a complete receiver,” Herbert said. “He’s been great with short routes, intermediate routes, and now you add the deep balls that you have to respect … we’ve got a true ball player on our hands.”

Defensive Battles and Injury Concerns

The Browns have built their season on physical defense, but injuries threaten to hamper their efforts. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a key playmaker, will miss the game due to a neck injury sustained against the Ravens, which led to a hospital visit. Cornerback Denzel Ward is in concussion protocol and remains day-to-day, while defensive end Za’Darius Smith is also questionable with an illness.

For the Chargers, defensive stalwart Joey Bosa returned last week after a three-game absence, contributing in limited snaps. His presence bolsters a defense that will look to pressure Winston early and often. Other Chargers dealing with injuries include tight ends Will Dissly and Stone Smartt, as well as linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Kristian Fulton.

Key Matchup: Winston vs. Chargers’ Pass Defense

For the Browns to have a chance at securing back-to-back wins, Winston will need to replicate his impressive performance against the Ravens, navigating a Chargers defense that is one of the league’s best in pressuring quarterbacks. This Chargers team, with its suffocating defense and potent passing attack, is a tough test for a Browns team struggling to stay in contention.

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Winston’s ability to connect with his playmakers will be crucial. A strong performance could position the Browns to start clawing their way back into the playoff conversation, while a misstep might send them further down in the standings.

What’s on the Line

This game holds significant playoff implications for both teams. The Chargers look to build on their recent defensive success and cement their place in the AFC playoff picture, while the Browns are battling to keep their postseason hopes alive. With Winston under center, Cleveland’s offense is adapting quickly, but only time will tell if this change can steer the team through the rough waters of the AFC playoff race.

As the Browns brace for a tough challenge, both teams are well aware of the high stakes and the importance of every game in a tightly contested AFC. For Cleveland, this game could mark the beginning of a new chapter—or the continuation of an uphill struggle.