The Cleveland Browns suffered a disappointing 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, bringing their record to a dismal 2-7 after the Week 9 defeat. The Browns' offense struggled to gain traction, managing just 58 yards in the first half and scoring only a single field goal. Meanwhile, the Chargers' offense exploded, racking up over 250 yards and three touchdowns in the opening half, including a 66-yard strike to wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Chargers' Explosive Start Proves Too Much for Struggling Browns

Chargers' Offensive Onslaught in the First Half

The Chargers' offense wasted no time in asserting their dominance, scoring 20 points in the first half fueled by a series of explosive plays. Quarterback Justin Herbert had five passing plays that went for over 20 yards, while running back J.K. Dobbins added two runs of 10 or more yards. The Browns' defense struggled to contain the Chargers' aerial attack, as Herbert found open receivers downfield with alarming regularity.After allowing a 53-yard punt return to start the Chargers' second drive, the Browns' defense managed to hold their own for a time. However, a series of penalties and blown assignments ultimately resulted in the Chargers building a comfortable halftime lead. The Browns' defense forced the Chargers into a third-and-12 situation, but a neutral zone infraction by defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo gave the Chargers a fresh set of downs. The Browns' defense once again forced the Chargers into a long third down after defensive tackle Shelby Harris sacked Herbert, but on third-and-20, wide receiver Josh Palmer found himself uncovered in the end zone for an easy touchdown.

Myles Garrett's Dominant First Half Overshadowed by Defensive Lapses

Despite the defensive struggles, Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett put together a monster first half, recording three sacks. However, even Garrett's heroics were not enough to overcome the Chargers' offensive onslaught. After Garrett and the Browns' defense held the Chargers to a third-and-6, the secondary once again missed an assignment, allowing wide receiver Quentin Johnston to catch a pass from Herbert and run 66 yards untouched to the end zone, further extending the Chargers' lead.On the Chargers' third scoring drive of the half, Herbert completed three passes for 45 yards before Dobbins ran 16 yards for a touchdown, capping off a dominant first-half performance by the Chargers' offense.

Quarterback Struggles and Offensive Woes for the Browns

The Browns' offense struggled to find any rhythm throughout the game, with quarterback Deshaun Watson finishing with 235 yards, one passing touchdown, and three interceptions. Watson's lone touchdown pass came on the Browns' final offensive drive of the game, after they had already fallen behind by three scores.The Browns' offensive woes were evident from the start, as they managed to gain just 58 yards in the first half and could only muster a single field goal drive. The Chargers' defense effectively shut down the Browns' passing attack, limiting their ability to move the ball downfield and sustain drives.

Defensive Bright Spots Overshadowed by Costly Mistakes

While the Browns' defense played well at times throughout the game, sacking Justin Herbert six times, they were ultimately undone by several big plays that proved to be the difference in the game. The defense held the Chargers to third-and-12 on multiple occasions, but penalties and blown assignments allowed the Chargers to extend drives and capitalize on their opportunities.Despite the defensive lapses, the Browns' defense did manage to generate consistent pressure on Herbert, with Myles Garrett leading the charge with his three sacks. However, the Chargers' offense proved too explosive and resilient, ultimately overwhelming the Browns' defense and securing a comfortable victory.