Chargers Hang on to Beat Browns 30–28 After Coach’s Gamble

Denzel Ward (21) of the Cleveland Browns tackles Austin Ekeler (30) of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, on Oct. 9, 2022. Jason Miller/Getty Images

CLEVELAND—Rookie Cade York missed a 54-yard field goal with 11 seconds left as Los Angeles held on for a 30–28 victory over the Cleveland Browns after Chargers coach Brandon Staley inexplicably gambled on a fourth down.

York’s kick sailed right and allowed the Chargers (3–2) to escape with a win Staley tried to give away on Oct. 9.

With his team at its own 46 and leading by two, Staley called a timeout and then had Justin Herbert attempt a short pass on fourth–and–2 that fell incomplete, giving the ball back to the Browns with 1:10 left.

Cleveland had no timeouts and drove to the Chargers 35 to set up a shot for York, but the big-legged draft pick from LSU, couldn’t convert. He earlier missed a 45-yard attempt.

Austin Ekeler rushed for a career-high 173 yards and scored twice as San Diego, which came in last in the NFL in rushing, leaned on its ground game to win its second shootout in two seasons with the Browns (2–3).

Austin Ekeler (30) of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after his team's 30–28 win against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, on Oct. 9, 2022. Jason Miller/Getty Images

The teams combined for 908 total yards and 53 first downs.

The most notable defensive play came when Chargers safety Alohi Gilman intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass in the end zone with 2:44 left, setting up a confusing finish highlighted by Staley’s decision.

Cleveland’s Nick Chubb ran for 134 yards and had a 2-yard TD run.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams had 10 catches for 134 yards.

Bugging Out

Players on both teams spent pregame warmups swatting away midges, those small, winged insects that swarm along Lake Erie during the spring and fall.

The bugs made a famous appearance at the 2007 baseball playoffs in Cleveland. New York Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain was, ahem, bugged by clusters of midges, which engulfed him and affected his performance on the mound.

Road Show

With his fifth straight 100-yard receiving game on the road, Williams tied Chad Johnson for the AFC record. The NFL mark is six, shared by three Hall of Famers: Jerry Rice (twice), Calvin Johnson and Michael Irvin.

Injuries

Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer returned after leaving on the first series with an unspecified injury.

Starting RT Trey Pipkins III (left knee) also came back after getting rolled up on from behind in the second quarter.

Browns: Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward sustained a concussion in the fourth quarter and was placed in league protocol.

Up Next

Chargers: Host the Denver Broncos on Oct. 17.

Justin Herbert (10) of the Los Angeles Chargers attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, on Oct. 9, 2022. Jason Miller/Getty Images

Browns: Host the New England Patriots on Oct. 16.

By Tom Withers