The Browns are looking to build off their 29-24 win over the Ravens in Week 8 when they host the Chargers at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday.
The Chargers are off to a 4-3 start after beating the Saints 26-8 in Week 8 and are looking for their fifth consecutive win over the Browns.
Here are three burning questions ahead of the Browns' Week 9 matchup.
Can the Browns secondary contain WR Ladd McConkey?
Chargers WR Ladd McConkey is coming off a career performance against the Saints in Week 8, finishing with six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
"A talented young player," head coach Kevin Stefanski said of the rookie out of Georgia. "Very fast. […] Can catch the ball in a variety of areas. Had a nice play at the back of the end zone, can catch option routes. They're utilizing him in a bunch of different ways."
McConkey's biggest play of the day was a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter. McConkey hesitated as if he was to block the Saints defensive back while QB Justin Herbert faked a handoff before the speedy receiver took off. McConkey made an impressive contested catch over a Saints defender before taking off for the end zone.
"He's a crispy route runner. He had a crazy catch last week too, so he can catch the ball as well," S Grant Delpit said on Thursday.
Eliminating McConkey's ability to make explosive plays will be key for the Browns secondary, who have given up 27 passing plays of 20 or more yards – the fourth-most in the NFL.
With a strong-armed quarterback in Herbert, a deep shot to McConkey will be a threat whenever No. 15 is on the field.
"[Herbert] definitely has a great arm, you can see plays where he doesn't even have to step into throws and he's still throwing the ball in the money, 20 or 30 yards," Delpit said. "He has a nice number one receiver that's developing right now so I think he's found his guy and they're kind of hitting their stride right now."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Los Angeles Chargers at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda and the safeties during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Director of High Performance Shaun Huls during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) and Offensive tackle Lorenzo Thompson (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Coaching Consultant Mike Vrabel during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Roy Istvan during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive Quality Control Coach Jeff Anderson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning/Sports Science Coach Josh Christovich during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Safety Trey Dean (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Coaching Consultant Mike Vrabel during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Head of Athlete Health and Performance and Strength and Conditioning Dustin Nabhan during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Will QB Jameis Winston follow up last week with another strong performance?
Making his first start as a member of the Browns, QB Jameis Winston threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns' Week 8 win over the Ravens.
"It was a blessing, man," Winston said after the game. "I'm so happy and grateful that God gave me this opportunity to lead this team. I've been starving for this opportunity."
Winston will have another opportunity to start in Week 9 against the Chargers, as head coach Kevin Stefanski named him the starting quarterback moving forward this season. In order to put together another successful performance against the Chargers defense, Winston will need to be poised in the pocket and limit turnover-worthy plays.
The Chargers have 10 takeaways this season and feature a pass rush that can force quarterbacks to get the ball out quickly, led by OLB Khalil Mack and DE Joey Bosa.
"You've got Khalil Mack, you have Joey Bosa, you have great interior guys, great linebacker group, great DBs," Winston said on Wednesday. "But, man, I believe in us. I believe that we're a great, physical team."
On the final drive against the Ravens, Winston threw a ball that was nearly intercepted by Ravens S Kyle Hamilton, who lost control of the ball before securing the catch. The interception would have likely sealed the win for Baltimore and handed Cleveland its sixth straight loss.
"Oh, I started praying instantly," Winston said after the game. "And I think when situations like that happen, you always sit back and you're like, 'Man, I still got stuff to work on.'"
Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said that both ball placement and decision making will be paramount if Winston is to avoid throwing costly interceptions against the Chargers defense.
The quarterback had plenty of instances against the Ravens when he did put the ball in the perfect position to allow his receiver to run after the catch, including on his game-winning 38-yard touchdown pass to WR Cedric Tillman.
"That's a constant thing you're harping on the quarterbacks about," Dorsey said on Thursday. "You're constantly talking about, one, decision-making and making sure we're doing the right things with the football, and then two, ball placement. Ball placement is huge for us to obviously guarantee completions and then maximize [run after catch] opportunities for our receivers."
Can the Browns build off last week's success in the run game?
Last week against the Ravens, RB Nick Chubb had his best game since returning from a season-ending injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Chubb finished Week 8 with 52 yards on 16 carries, with his longest run of the day going for 15 yards.
"It felt better. Felt a lot better than the first time," Chubb said of his second game this season. "I think as far as me just seeing everything better, it was more clear, it wasn't as fast."
As a team, the Browns rushed for 80 yards, with RB D'Onta Foreman adding 26 yards and averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
With a productive rushing attack, the Browns were able to run play action effectively, with Winston throwing for 147 yards and a touchdown on play action plays, per NFL Pro. The Browns averaged +0.58 expected points added on play action plays, its best rate of the season.
Dorsey said that establishing a run game and an effective play action can make life easier for the Browns offensive line.
"Hopefully we can continue to mix the run game, the drop back game, the quick game, the play action game, and have a good mix to make sure that we're not one dimensional for them," Dorsey said. "Especially because that's big in protection and as much as we can stay multidimensional that's only going to, I think, help those guys out up front."
