The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Cleveland Browns 38-14 Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium for their third straight win.
Los Angeles' high-powered offense was paced by running back Melvin Gordon, who scored three touchdowns on 150 total yards, 132 of which came on the ground (7.3 yards per carry). Gordon now has nine total touchdowns on the season. As a team, the Chargers rushed for 246 yards.
Wide receiver Tyrell Williams caught three passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns from Philip Rivers in the span of less than seven minutes in the second quarter. The Chargers manufactured 449 yards of total offense.
Cleveland was overmatched on both sides of the ball. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield went 22-of-46 for 238 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions -- both by cornerback Desmond King. Mayfield was also sacked five times.
The Browns offense stalled on the game's first series after safety Rayshawn Jenkins and defensive tackle Corey Liuget split a sack on Mayfield. Cornerback Desmond King's 32-yard punt return put Los Angeles' offense at its own 43-yard line.
In five plays, the Chargers went 57 yards for their first opening drive touchdown in 22 games. Gordon's four-yard score put Los Angeles up 7-0 after new kicker Michael Badgley made the extra point.
Mayfield was sacked three times in the first quarter – 1.5 of them by defensive tackle Damion Square on back-to-back plays. The Browns got on the board at the start of the second quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Greg Joseph to make the score 7-3.
Williams' explosive second quarter started with a 44-yard reception from Rivers. On the next play, Williams – surrounded by three defenders – hauled in a 45-yard touchdown. The two-play, 89-yard drive extended Los Angeles' lead to 14-3.
With 57 seconds remaining in the half, Rivers found Williams again – this time for a 29-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-6. Los Angeles led 21-6 at halftime.
The first of King's two interceptions came with 12:05 remaining in the third quarter. His 33-yard return put Los Angeles at the Browns' 10-yard line. On the next play, Gordon punched it in from 10 yards out to increase the lead to 28-6.
Rivers finished the game 11-of-20 for 207 yards, two touchdowns and an interception before giving way to Geno Smith. Badgley made all five of his extra points and added a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Chargers travel to London to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 7. Kickoff is on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 a.m. Pacific from Wembley Stadium (CBS). For more information on the Bolts' trip across the pond, visit chargers.com/london.
