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Browns vs. Chargers: Preview, score prediction for Week 13

By Derek Snyder

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 04: Melvin Gordon #28 of the San Diego Chargers carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Qualcomm Stadium on October 4, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 04: Melvin Gordon #28 of the San Diego Chargers carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Qualcomm Stadium on October 4, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns meet up in a crucial Week 13 match-up between two AFC squads. Okay, maybe it’s not an important game for the Dawg Pound faithful, but it’s definitely a must-win scenario for the Bolts. If they can beat the Browns in the StubHub Center, they’ll even their record back up at (6-6).

Needless to say, that’s a huge accomplishment after they started this season with four straight losses to the Broncos, Dolphins, Chiefs and Eagles.

That said, here are keys to victories for both teams in Week 13:

Chargers Keys to Victory:

Protect the Football: I’m not one to say that an NFL team has zero chance of beating another squad, but in terms of the 2017 Cleveland Browns, they come pretty darn close to that feat. While the Browns are still terrible this year, the Chargers have actually been playing great football over the last month.

If Los Angeles plays a clean football game, I expect them to win easily. However, if they get careless with the football, Cleveland could end up taking them down. If that happens, it’ll likely be because of turnovers.

Start Fast: In a game where Los Angeles could finally get back to a .500 record, they must put the Browns away early. That means converting on third-downs early in the first-half and getting points on the board. If they can do that, Cleveland will start to fold. If they cannot, they’ll leave a door open for the Browns that could derail the Bolts AFC Playoff chances.

Browns Keys to Victory:

Crowell and Johnson Must Have Great Games: If the Browns have one decent match-up against Los Angeles this weekend, it’s Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell versus the Chargers poor rush defense. These two guys are the best offensive players Cleveland has on their roster, but they could definitely give the Bolts problems.

We’ve seen dynamic running backs tear right through the Los Angeles defense this season, so it could definitely happen again in Week 13.

Feed Josh Gordon: For the first time in what seems like forever, wide receiver Josh Gordon will reportedly play for the Browns. We all know how talented this guy is, but we’ve yet to see his full potential. While he hasn’t played since 2014, Cleveland needs to take a chance and feed him the football as much as possible. Who knows, maybe Gordon will surprise us all and lead the Browns to their first win of 2017?

Odds:

Point Spread: Los Angeles -14
Moneyline: Cleveland +700, Los Angeles -1,100
Over/Under: 42.5

Next: 20 Bold predictions in NFL Week 13

Prediction

One of these teams is looking like a legitimate playoff contender, and the other has been a complete train-wreck from Week 1. That said, expect the Chargers to get a lead early in the first quarter, and keep it for the rest of the afternoon thanks to another great performance from Philip Rivers.

Pick: Cleveland Browns: 10, Los Angeles Chargers: 27

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