Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns - 10/9/22 NFL Picks and Prediction
The Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns face off on Sunday in a Week 5 NFL showdown at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Los Angeles Chargers come into this game with a 2-2 record but even in the games they have won, they haven’t looked that good. In the last game against the Houston Texans, they were outscored 17-7 in the second half but they still ended up winning the game 34-24. Justin Herbert completed 27 of his 39 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Ekeler also had a big game finishing with 13 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Mke Williams caught seven passes for 120 yards. The Chargers are averaging 23 points while their defense is giving up 27 points per game. Keenan Allen is dealing with a groin injury and he won’t be able to go in this game.
On the other side of this matchup is the Browns who sit with a 2-2 record overall but they are coming off a loss in their last game. Against the Atlanta Falcons, the Browns were outscored 13-7 in the 4th quarter and that led to the three point defeat. Jacoby Brissett completed 21 of his 35 passes for 234 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Nick Chubb finished with 19 rushes for 118 yards and a touchdown. The Browns are averaging 26.3 points while their defense is giving up 23.8 points per game. The Browns are expected to get Jadeveon Clowney back and that is a big boost for this team.
The Chargers are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games on grass. The Browns are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven home games. The Chargers are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight meetings against the Browns.
I don’t love this Browns defense, and they are going to struggle to defend in this game. Herbert and Ekeler are both going to find success in this game running up the score, and they are going to score at least 34 points like they did in the last game. This is going to be an easy victory for the Chargers. Back the Chargers against the spread.