Chargers at Browns: Highlights, score and recap

The Cleveland Browns got their first win of the 2016 NFL season after beating the San Diego Chargers 20-17 at FirstEnergy Stadium on Christmas Eve. Here are highlights and key players from Week 16’s game.

Josh Lambo missed a 45-yard field goal attempt for the San Diego Chargers as time expired, to hand the Cleveland Browns their first win of the 2016 NFL season.

It was the second time Lambo had the chance to win the game for the Chargers. Browns defensive lineman Jamie Meder had already blocked a 32-yard FG attempt that would have won the game earlier in the fourth quarter.

The Browns came from behind to avoid going 0-16 and snap a 17-game losing streak, despite losing quarterback Robert Griffin III to a concussion.

It looked like business as usual for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers against a struggling Browns defense early on. Rivers got the ball rolling by hitting former Brown Travis Benjamin for 50 yards, before connecting with Antonio Gates from a yard out for a 7-0 lead.

The Browns hit back quickly with two touchdown runs from Isaiah Crowell either side of a Lambo field goal. A pair of Cody Parkey field goals made it 20-10 before Rivers started hitting back. He found Tyrell Williams from a yard out to move the Chargers to within three.

San Diego was able to keep things close thanks to a dominant pass-rushing performance. The Chargers logged nine sacks and knocked RG3 out of the game. However, Rivers couldn’t take full advantage when his drive for a winning score stalled. Lambo stepped up for what should have been the tying points, but Meder had other ideas.

Rivers and gates still did what they could to bring the Chargers back, though. But Lambo handed out an early Christmas present when he missed again from 45 yards as time expired.

Highlights

Highlights will be added and updated as and when they happen.

Three Stars

1. Joey Bosa

He’s been the most dominant rookie pass-rusher in football, and Joey Bosa didn’t let up in Week 16. He was in on two of the Chargers’ nine sacks and spent the whole day caving in the pass pocket. There are plenty of building blocks in San Diego, and Bosa is one of them. He’s set to be the focal point on defense for years to come.

2. Isaiah Crowell

Crowell is perhaps the most boom-or-bust runner in the NFL. Thankfully for the Browns, he was more of the former quality against the Chargers. Crowell showcased the combination of power and speed that makes him such a threat on two scoring runs. The second came from four yards out and showed how decisively Crowell can hit the hole. If only Cleveland’s lead workhorse could deliver this level of production every week.

3. Antonio Gates

Gates didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. In fact, the future Hall of Famer deserves better than what the Chargers have done for him in recent seasons. The 36-year-old has no chance of reaching the playoffs this season, but still played to win in Cleveland. Gates was good for 94 yards and a score on eight catches. It was his 25-yarder on the game’s final drive that gave Lambo another chance to win it. The missed kick summed up the relationship between Gates and the Chargers. He dominates, but his teammates let him down.

Next: NFL Mock Draft: Week 16

Next Week

Both teams will wrap up their respective seasons against division rivals. The Browns will be on the road against bitter AFC North foe the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Chargers will host AFC West enemy the Kansas City Chiefs.