QB Justin Herbert, Chargers’ defense team up to rout Browns

CLEVELAND — Quarterback Justin Herbert threw two first-half touchdown passes and the Chargers’ defense took care of the rest during a 27-10 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Browns. The Chargers intercepted Browns quarterback Jameis Winston three times in the second half.

Elijah Molden, Alohi Gilman and Tarheeb Still had interceptions for the Chargers, who went into the game giving up only 13 points per game, the best in the NFL through eight weeks. The Chargers’ bend-but-don’t-break defense more than made up for a malfunctioning offense during the second half.

Winston threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman with 44 seconds left, ending the Chargers’ lengthy streak without giving up a touchdown.

The Chargers’ defense last gave up a touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth quarter of their 17-15 loss Oct. 21 to the Arizona Cardinals. They surrendered only two field goals in a 26-8 victory Oct. 27 over the New Orleans Saints and then denied the Browns a touchdown, too.

Ex-Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins kicked a 38-yard field goal for the Browns’ only score during a first half in which the Chargers built a 20-3 lead. Herbert picked his spots against the Browns, connecting with Joshua Palmer for a 27-yard touchdown and with Quentin Johnston for a 66-yard touchdown.

Herbert was sacked six times in the first half, including three times by Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, otherwise he might have inflicted more damage on the Browns’ flimsy secondary. Herbert completed 14 of 16 passes for 250 yards in the first half. Johnston had four catches for 118 yards in the first half.

J.K. Dobbins accounted for the Chargers other first half score, a 16-yard touchdown run with 3:30 left in the half. Derius Davis set up the Chargers’ first touchdown with a 53-yard punt return that gave them the ball at the Browns’ 30-yard line. Herbert then hit Palmer for a TD.

Dobbins’ 7-yard touchdown run made it 27-3 with 4:16 left in the game. Dobbins set up the score with a 34-yard run to the Browns’ 7 after Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart blocked Hopkins’ 51-yard field attempt with his facemask with 6:30 remaining in the game. Dobbins had 85 yards on 14 carries.

It was Dobbins’ third career multi-rushing TD game.

More to come on this story.