5 bold predictions for Browns against Chargers
By John Buhler
3. Justin Herbert will outperform Baker Mayfield in their quarterback battle
With Baker Mayfield dealing with injury and Justin Herbert being, well, Justin Herbert, this will be a game where the Browns are at somewhat of a quarterbacking deficit. It is not of the egregious variety, but the Bolts do have the leg up over the Browns here. While Cleveland has the roster and the coaching staff to potentially overcome this, Herbert will way outperform Mayfield on Sunday.
Even if Mayfield had been healthy, this was probably going to be the case anyway. While both are franchise quarterbacks, Herbert has the higher ceiling of the two professionally. However, the Chargers are still trying to figure things out under first-time head coach Brandon Staley. Given that the Browns are playing with so much confidence under Kevin Stefanski, they should be just fine.
It may not be a banner day for Mayfield under center, but he will make the best of what he has got. This means game-managing the Browns down the field on several well-orchestrated drives. If he is a turnover machine, then the Browns have no chance in this game. With that in mind, Mayfield will have great awareness in this game on Sunday to help give Cleveland a great shot at being 4-1.
Herbert may play better than Mayfield, but the final score is the only thing that truly matters here.