National Football League
L.A. Chargers 38, Cleveland 14
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 14, 2018
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Temperature: 51°
Head Official: Brad Allen
Attendance: 67431

Los Angeles quarterback Philip Rivers threw two touchdowns, Melvin Gordon ran for three scores and the Chargers shut down the Browns in a 38-14 win on Sunday in Cleveland.

The Chargers' offense confused the Browns with reverses, misdirection and pinpoint passing, handing Cleveland its first loss at home this season.

The Chargers' defense harassed rookie Baker Mayfield and shut down the NFL's second-leading rushing attack

Los Angeles (4-2) compiled 449 total yards, including 246 on the ground, and held Cleveland (2-3-1) to 317 total yards.

Rivers' numbers (11-of-20 for 207 yards and an interception) weren't spectacular, but two touchdown receptions by Tyrell Williams were.

On his first touchdown, Williams, surrounded by three Cleveland players, ripped the ball from a defender in the end zone at the 6:34 mark of the second period to put the Chargers up, 14-3.

The second Rivers-Williams strike was good for a 29-yard score and gave the Chargers a 21-3 lead with 51 seconds left in the half.

Williams finished with three receptions for 118 yards. Gordon rushed 18 times for 132 yards.

The Chargers scored on their first possession of the game, the first time they had accomplished that feat since Dec. 24, 2016.

Rivers made it look easy, marching the Chargers 57 yards in five plays with Gordon scoring a touchdown in his fifth straight game.

Cleveland's special teams, specifically punt returner Jabrill Peppers, gave the offense great field position in the first half.

But Mayfield was only able to produce three points. Penalties and pressure from the Chargers -- he was sacked four times in the first half -- stymied any momentum Cleveland might have had.

Mayfield was hobbled throughout the first half after slipping on a downs marker. The Browns also were down to just three healthy wide receivers -- Jarvis Landry and rookies Antonio Callaway and Damion Ratley.

Mayfield finished 22-of-46 for 238 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
Rushing
L.A. Chargers   Cleveland
Melvin Gordon III Player Duke Johnson Jr.
18 Attempts 2
132 Yards 36
7.3 Avg Yards 18.0
3 Touchdowns 0
16 Long 23
Receiving
L.A. Chargers   Cleveland
Tyrell Williams Player Damion Ratley
3 Receptions 6
118 Yards 82
39.3 Avg Yards 13.7
2 Touchdowns 0
45 Long 27
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
L.A. Chargers 449 246 203 5 1 2 5.0 0
Cleveland 317 103 214 1 2 1 1.0 0
Upcoming Games
  • Cleveland will play their next game on the road against Tampa Bay. The Browns have a W/L % of .000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
  • L.A. Chargers will play their next game at home against Tennessee. The Chargers have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.