Browns-Chargers primer: Myles Garrett makes return against prolific QB Justin Herbert

CLEVELAND − There's a case to be made things have lined up well for the Browns.

All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett is returning to the field after a game out following his car accident. Their other All-Pro defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney, has given every indication he's possibly playing after missing the past two-and-a-half games with an ankle sprain.

The Browns still have, statistically, the second-best rushing attack in the game with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. They have one of the best offensive lines in the game.

They're even in the first place in the AFC North. Yes, it's a three-way tie between 2-2 teams, but first place is first place.

Sunday, though, is where the picture starts to get a lot clearer for the Browns. They're back at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, playing one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL (Justin Herbert) who is leading what is statistically the best passing offense in the league.

There's questions about some of the Chargers' injury losses as well. Their All-Pro defensive end, former Ohio State star Joey Bosa, is out, as is their left tackle, Rashawn Slater, and arguably one of their best receivers, Keenan Allen.

Browns prepare for high-flying Chargers:League's best passing offense to test Cleveland secondary

Still, Herbert is there. So, too, are offensive skill players such as receiver Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. Oh, and Khalil Mack is still prowling quarterbacks from the other edge.

This game was always viewed as the start of the "tough stretch" of the Browns' season. The Chargers' injuries and the optimistic Browns injury news has changed the outlook of this game a bit, but it's still a challenge.

It's a challenge that can potentially show just what kind of team the Browns are as they wade into a season-defining two-month stretch.

Matchup to watch: Browns DE Myles Garrett vs. Chargers LT Jamaree Salyer

Garrett sounded on Friday like a player looking to make up for lost time. There was a lot more of the typical Garrett confidence in his words, something that wasn't there a week earlier as he talked following his accident.

At the heart of Garrett's words was a level of disappointment he wasn't able to help his teammates in a loss to the Falcons in Atlanta. There was a sense from him he could've been the difference between the Browns coming into this Sunday 3-1 instead of 2-2.

This is where Jamaree Salyer enters the frame. Salyer was a sixth-round draft pick out of Georgia this past April.

Salyer made his first NFL start last Sunday against the Houston Texans filling in for Slater. What he lined up against in that game isn't what he's lining up against this week, even if Garrett isn't at 100%.

The Browns need Garrett to make life miserable for Herbert off the edge for them to have a chance to slow down the Chargers. The Chargers need Salyer to slow down Garrett to have a chance to keep Herbert upright.

Cleveland Browns player to watch: QB Jacoby Brissett

Brissett regressed a bit in the loss to the Falcons from where he had been the previous two weeks against the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. His 68 quarterback rating was a season low, even if his 234 passing yards was a season high. There were times when he seemed to force it a bit, including on the game-sealing interception. Still, the first drive was a thing of beauty from Brissett, up until the fourth-down play. Even with the low QB rating, he still gave the Browns a chance both with his arm and, again, with his legs. The Browns are going to desperately need Brissett to, if not match Herbert, at least give them a puncher's chance to survive should things devolve into a shootout.

Los Angeles Chargers player to watch: RB Austin Ekeler

Mike Williams had the big plays and the big stats in the Chargers' 47-42 win over the Browns 364 days ago. Ekeler, though, may have been the X-factor. A year ago, he had 66 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, then added 53 yards and a TD on five catches. Much like Christian McCaffrey for the Carolina Panthers, he's a dynamic player who's capable of beating your team by running the ball − when they actually run the ball − and by catching the ball. The Browns don't need someone to tell them that. They already know from experience.

Three numbers: To run or not to run, that's the question

2nd vs. 32nd

The Browns have averaged 187.3 yards per game rushing the football this season, second-best in the league. Chubb's 459 yards are the same among all backs. Now comes the Chargers' offense, which, even with Ekeler, is averaging a league-worst 64.5 yards a game. The Browns need to continue to run the football that way against the Chargers to help grind out yards and time. What they don't need is for the Chargers to finally figure out how to get their running game going, much like they did a year ago when they netted 112 rushing yards against the Browns.

26.3 vs. 23

Take a guess what those numbers represent. Give up? They're the average points per game of the two teams in Sunday's game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Now, guess which team owns which number. At this point, you've probably already figured out that all of this set-up is simply a way to show the Browns have actually averaged more points a game than the Chargers have to this point. The Chargers' average is impacted by a 10-point showing in a 28-point home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Still, it's more to show the Browns' offense has been more than competent this season, especially the past three games. They're going to need it because, despite what the stats say, the Chargers' offense is capable of putting up the points.

149

David Njoku had a career day the last time he saw the Chargers. The 149 receiving yards the Browns' tight end had last Oct. 10 remains his only 100-plus receiving game. The seven catches that day stood tied for a career high until his nine-catch, 89-yard performance against the Steelers on Sept. 22. Njoku has 14 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown in the past two weeks. He's clearly becoming more involved in the passing game. Feeding him the ball against the Chargers has already proven to be a decision that pays off.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Myles Garrett makes return against Chargers' star Justin Herbert