CLEVELAND — The Los Angeles Chargers escaped with a 30-28 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday when Cade York missed a 54-yard field goal with 11 seconds left.
The Browns jumped out to an early two-score lead as Nick Chubb ripped off a 41-yard touchdown score on the fifth play from scrimmage and Jacoby Brissett threw a touchdown pass to Amari Cooper to grab an early 14-0 lead with 4:01 in the first quarter.
However the lead would not last for long, as the Chargers would score 17 unanswered points to take their first lead of the game. Los Angeles would score the go-ahead touchdown after driving 99-yards to take a 17-14 lead. The drive was finished off when Austin Ekeler caught a 12-yard pass from Justin Herbert with 5:51 left in the first half.
Herbert, who came into the game leading the NFL in yards passing, finished the day going 22 of 34 for 228 yards and ended his streak of consecutive road games with at least 300 yards at seven.
Austin Ekeler had a career-high 173 yards rushing and scored twice as Los Angeles, which came in last in the league in rushing, leaned on its ground game in the victory. The Chargers finished with 238 total yards rushing, which was 174 more than their season average.
Cleveland would manage to answer with a score of their own as Chubb would finish off the 75-yard drive with a 2-yard run and Cade York added the extra point to give the Browns a 21-17 lead at intermission.
Los Angeles (3-2) kicker Taylor Bertolet, made his NFL debut, by kicking a 27-yard field goal early in the final quarter to put the Chargers ahead 30-28. Bertolet was called up from the practice squad this week to take the place of Dustin Hopkins, who was ruled out with a quadriceps injury
The Browns had a golden opportunity to take the lead and possible win with just under three minutes remaining in the game driving to the Los Angeles 9.
On a third-and-seven play, Chargers safety Alohi Gilman would intercept Brissett's pass in the end zone with 2:44 left. On the play, it appeared as if Brissett could have ran for a first down. But he forced the ball over the middle toward receiver Amari Cooper and Gilman stepped in to make the pick and set up one of the more confusing finishes this season.
Clinging to a two-point lead with 1:14 in the game, the Chargers opted to go for it on fourth down rather than punt. On the play, Herbert would attempt a short pass to Mike Williams that fall incomplete.
The Browns would get the ball went back, but York's last-second kick sailed right and allowed the Chargers to escape with a win and save Chargers head coach Brandon Staley from giving away the game.
Cleveland (2-3) had no timeouts and drove to the Chargers 35 to set up the winning attempt for York, but couldn't convert the try. He also missed a 45-yard attempt earlier.
Sunday was also Myles Garrett's first game back since being involved in his car crash, but the star defensive end had little impact as the Chargers offensive line pushed the Browns defensive front around all game.
Both teams combined for 908 total yards, 53 first downs and there were only three punts — all of those came in the first half.
Cleveland's Nick Chubb ran for 134 yards along with his two scores on the ground.
Charger receiver Mike Williams had 10 catches for 134 yards to lead all receivers for the game.
Browns will be at home to face the New England Patriots on Oct. 16.
Los Angeles 3 14 10 3 = 30
Cleveland 14 7 7 0 = 28
First Quarter
CLE — Nick Chubb 41 run (Cade York kick), 12:01 CLE — Amari Cooper 11 pass from Jacoby Brissett (Cade York kick), 4:01 LAC — Taylor Bertolet 28 Yd Field Goal, 2:26
Second Quarter LAC — Joshua Kelley 5 run (Taylor Bertolet kick), 13:39 LAC — Austin Ekeler 12 pass from Justin Herbert (Taylor Bertolet kick), 5:51 CLE — Nick Chubb 2 run (Cade York kick), 2:55
Third Quarter LAC — Austin Ekeler 22 run (Taylor Bertolet kick), 10:21 LAC — Taylor Bertolet 25 field goal, 5:47 CLE — Kareem Hunt 2 Yd Run (Cade York kick), :55
Fourth Quarter LAC — Taylor Bertolet 27 field goal, 9:29
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