Free Pick: Cleveland (3-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) 10/10/21

Two 3-1 teams hook up in this one and the winner will emerge as a legitimate playoff contender. Cleveland has won 3 in a row, but have been sputtering on offense against inferior teams. They are going have to step it up against the Chargers. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has been playing better opponents and have the more impressive resume’. Here are some matchups.

QUARTERBACKS:

Cleveland: Baker Mayfield 74 completions out of 113 attempts for 933 yards with only 2 touchdowns. He has been sacked 12 times.

Los Angeles: Justin Herbert 113 completions out of 164 attempts for 1178 yards with 9 touchdown and 4 interceptions.

Herbert has been outstanding in the first 4 games of his 2nd season. He is an emerging superstar. Mayfield has been struggling and he is going to have to step up in this one. Advantage: Chargers

RUNNING BACKS:

Cleveland: Nick Chubb 69 carries for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Kareem Hunt 43 carries for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Los Angeles: Austin Ekeler 50 carries for 283 yards.

The Browns have a great one-two punch in Chubb and Hunt. Ekeler has been good for the Chargers. Advantage: Cleveland

RECEIVERS:

Cleveland: Kareem Hunt 12 receptions for 121 yards. Austin Hooper 11 catches for 97 yards. Odell Beckham 7 for 104 yards.

Los Angeles: Keenan Allen 28 catches for 294 yards. Mike Williams 23 for 306 and 4 touchdowns.

Cleveland is missing Jarvis Landry and Mayfield is not getting them the ball. Herbert is in sync with these guys. Advantage: Los Angeles

DEFENSE:

The Cleveland defense has been playing very well but the competition has been offensively-challenged. The Chargers are a different animal altogether. I think the Browns’ front will cause Herbert some problems. Myles Garrett has been a one-man wrecking crew with 19 tackles and 6 sacks. The Chargers stats aren’t near as good but they have faced the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Raiders which all have great offenses. Cleveland doesn’t have a great offense. One glaring statistic however does stick out. The Chargers are having trouble against the run. Advantage: Cleveland

This should be a fun game to watch. Can Baker Mayfield start playing better? Will the Chargers be able to keep playing at championship level after great wins against the Chiefs and the Raiders? Cleveland is going to try and run the ball and play the ball-control game they like. If they can do that, we are in for a great game. Los Angeles is a 1.5-point favorite.

AARON’S PICK: Cleveland +1.5

PAPA DUDES PICK: Los Angeles -1.5