For the second straight week, a member of the Harbaugh family will come to Huntington Bank Field in search of a win.
A week after defeating John Harbaugh's Ravens, the Browns will face the Chargers, who are led by Jim Harbaugh in his first season back in the NFL after spending nine seasons at the University of Michigan.
"Great challenge this week – AFC opponent, really well-coached, have a ton of respect for their staff," head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday. "Big week of preparation for us and we're starting that right now."
The Chargers have jumped to a 4-3 start this season, with their most recent win against the Saints in Week 8. Their defense allowed just eight points from the Saints, who were without starting quarterback Derek Carr.
Against the Chargers, the Saints only made one trip to the red zone, on their final drive of the game already down 18 points. The Chargers have one of the best red zone defenses in the league this season, allowing touchdowns on just 41.7 percent of opponents' red zone trips, the fourth-best rate in the NFL.
"The defensive stats are really impressive," Stefanski said. "They're not giving up points. They're not giving up red zone drives, just not a lot of plays in the red zone. So, they're doing a great job."
The Chargers have allowed only 13 points per game, the fewest in the NFL. They've also only given up over 20 points just once this season in Week 3 against the Steelers. With a pass rush led by LB Khalil Mack and LB Bud Dupree, the Chargers have a strong unit that will be a challenge for the Browns offensive line.
Mack and Dupree lead the team with sacks, with 3.5 and 3, respectively. Mack had the fourth-most sacks in the NFL last season with 17 and has the 13th-most quarterback pressures with 31.
"You've got Khalil Mack, you have Joey Bosa and you have great interior guys," QB Jameis Winston said of the Chargers defensive front. "But, man, I believe in us. I believe that we're a great, physical team. I believe in Nick Chubb. I believe in Wyatt Teller. I believe in Ethan Pocic. I believe in Joel Bitonio. Like, our guys are physical, our guys are up for the challenge."
While Mack leads the team in sacks, LB Joey Bosa is a game-wrecker when healthy.
Bosa, the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year, has 69 career sacks and had seven forced fumbles in a single season in 2021, the most recent of his four Pro Bowl seasons. Only 11 players with 50 or more pass rush attempts have a better sack percentage this season than Bosa's 3.6 percent, per NFL Pro.
However, injuries have limited Bosa's time on the field over the past three seasons, with the former Ohio State Buckeye making appearances in just 19 games in three years. Bosa has logged two sacks this season but has played in four of the Chargers' games, playing over 20 snaps just once this season in the Chargers' Week 1 win over the Raiders.
Against the Raiders, Bosa had a forced fumble, one of 10 total turnovers the Chargers have this season. The Chargers have a +6 turnover differential, the fifth-best rate in the NFL.
The Browns had one turnover in Sunday's win over the Ravens, a fumble caused by S Kyle Hamilton. Through the season's first eight weeks, the Browns have turned the ball over nine times.
QB Jameis Winston earned his first start with the Browns in Week 8, leading the Browns to a 29-24 win. He threw for 334 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27), Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) and Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
The Week 8 Captains Photo before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5)after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston's pads before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
One area in which the Chargers have struggled at times is allowing explosive plays. The Chargers have allowed 26 rushing plays of 10 or more yards and 21 passing plays for 20 or more yards, ranking 16th in the NFL with 57 explosive plays allowed per NFL Pro.
The Browns had six explosive plays, one run and five passes, against the Ravens in Week 8. Three went for touchdowns, part of what earned Winston the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.
But for Winston, the hardware is the last thing on his mind.
"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.
