Browns Game Recaps: Baker Mayfield tears Chargers D in Week 5’s 3 good and 3 bad

The Browns lost to the Chargers in a nail-biter.

The Browns lost to the Chargers in a nail-biter, 47-42, due to the defense utterly collapsing in on themselves in the second half. Baker Mayfield was absolutely magnificent all game, but the Browns’ lack of reliable receivers was on display when the team couldn’t get separation.

The Browns rushing attack was never better, but running backs are only great in ties or leads because once you’re playing from behind with minimal time, the best running teams have to rely on passing. That has been the issue with the Browns’ all season, the receivers absolutely cannot get open when needed.

The Chargers receivers proved what a great receiving corp looked like, taking advantage of the Browns’ soft coverage time and time again throughout the game. Too much zone coverage allowed the Chargers to mount a comeback the Browns defense never should have allowed. Most of Justin Herbert’s big passes on the third or fourth down came against at Browns’ defense that was either running bad coverages or broken coverages; allowing for big gains or scores.

The Browns handled Herbert, for the most part, holding his completions to just 60%, a number you’d think would be much higher considering he threw for 398 yards. The Browns need to make some decesions on who to fix this defense, because it’s not going to get much better. The elite offenses of the league will continue to assault them deep all game.

These are issues that have plagued the defense for the last two years. Maybe it wasn’t the former player’s fault after all.