2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 5

Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2)

Sunday, October 9, 1:00 PM ET

Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season seems to be all about teams with similar records going on completely different trajectories. The Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns both have pretty talented rosters at the top end but struggle with depth in certain areas. Injuries and/or suspensions have caused these teams to be testing their depth early on in 2022.

The Chargers have Justin Herbert under center, which gives them a clear advantage going into this game or pretty much any other. Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and because of his presence, the Chargers are capable of going off for 30-40 points on any given week. Unfortunately, injuries have caused this team to also be a bit enigmatic and we’ve seen instances of that multiple times already in 2022.

The Browns, on the other hand, are very straightforward as of right now. They have gotten stretches of decent play from Jacoby Brissett in the first four weeks of the season, but this team goes as the running game and defense go. Unfortunately, a car accident caused Myles Garrett to miss this past game, and thankfully that was the extent of his injuries up to this point. His situation is in wait-and-see mode at this point and that makes predicting this game a little bit easier.

A fully healthy Myles Garrett and strong running game combined with the home atmosphere in Cleveland would all work together to give the Browns a decent edge, but with Garrett’s status in question and Jacoby Brissett anything but a sure thing to out-duel Justin Herbert, the smart bet here is probably Los Angeles.

Prediction: Chargers win 27-20