Chargers vs Browns: The best of the offensive line

The Chargers offensive line had some embarrassing games to close out the season, but not every 2018 appearance was so bad.

A closer look back at some of the Chargers’ worst performances of 2018 (losses to the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots) revealed major flaws along the offensive line, though nothing previously unknown to fans who watched the team play at the end of last year. The starting five as a unit were embarrassing in those two games against some of the league’s smartest and most talented defenses; but not every game last year was so bad. Instead of looking into another poor performance from the offensive line, how about reviewing one of their finest moments: The throttling of the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.

The overall stats:

• 24 first downs (15 rushing)
• 449 total yards
• 7.7 yards per play
• 246 rushing yards

Final score: Chargers 38, Browns 14

Chargers drive one:

1-10: Gordon for four yards.

2-6: Gordon for 16 yards. Untouched for 14 of those yards.

1-10: Allen for 16 yards. Green and Pouncey out in front, Allen makes it to sideline untouched.

1-10: Allen for 17 yards. Only three rushers, but all picked up.

1-Goal: Gordon four-yard touchdown. Tevi makes a key block.

https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1051523437385175040

Charger drive two:

1-10: Tyrell Williams for 44 yards. Slight bend in the middle, but line holds up.

1-10: Tyrell Williams 45-yard touchdown. All the time in the world for Rivers.

Chargers drive three:

1-10: Gordon for 14 yards. Pouncey gets out in front to clear first down.

1-10: Allen for 16 yards. Pouncey blocks, nudges Allen, blocks two more.

1-10: Gordon for 14 yards. Solid pocket.

1-10: Incomplete.

2-10: Mike Williams for four yards.

3-6: Tyrell Williams 29-yard touchdown. No pocket pressure.

#Chargers QB Philip Rivers to Tyrell Williams for a 29-yard TD. Williams has 3 catches 118 yards and 2 TDs in the last two drives. #Chargers up 21-3#LACvsCLE

— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) October 14, 2018

Chargers drive four:

1-10: Gordon 10-yard touchdown. The linemen find someone to block, Gordon weaves clean.

Melvin Gordon with a pair of TDs vs the Browns in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/egDigLJlWa

— Stadium (@Stadium) October 14, 2018

Chargers drive five:

1-10: Ekeler for seven yards.

2-3: Allen for nine yards.

1-25: Allen for 20 yards.

2-5: Allen for five yards.

1-15: Incomplete pass.

2-15: Ekeler for 16 yards. Tevi and Green do a great job blocking in front.

1-10: Incomplete pass.

1-10: Ekeler for 13 yards. Pouncey almost doesn’t get the job done, but may have done enough. Ekeler is too strong here.

1-10: Ekeler for five yards.

2-5: Mike Williams for 11 yards. Feeney makes two blocks in front, Green with a great block coming across the line.

1-10: Gordon for 11-yard touchdown. Okung sends a defensive back into another dimension with an abusive face plant. Feeney blocks final man for touchdown.

#Chargers slice up the #Browns defense and Melvin Gordon scores his third rushing touchdown of the game. Bolts have 181 rushing yards in the game. #Chargers up 35-6

— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) October 14, 2018

The Chargers’ offensive line, particularly on these drives, was outstanding. The Browns were picked by many to win this game, particularly with the Chargers having to play on the road. Instead, the offense brought power and dominated. This is exactly what kind of team the Chargers need to be in 2019; not one that barely squeaks out wins (though it doesn’t matter in the end), but one that dominates for four quarters and doesn’t let up until the score is so far out of reach there’s no chance for a comeback by the opposing team. The Chargers are a well-rounded team with a great roster; it’s time for them to bully the AFC.