Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, July 3, 2026

Browns vs. Chargers 2015 picks and predictions: Experts don’t believe Cleveland can pull the upset

The Chargers are getting unanimously picked to roll through the Browns in Week 4.

The Cleveland Browns are still taking some flak for sticking with Josh McCown at quarterback, despite the team's only win of the season coming when Johnny Manziel led the way. Now, with McCown still under center, experts are giving the Browns zero chance to pull off a road upset against the San Diego Chargers in Week 4.

San Diego hasn’t been a juggernaut in 2015 by any means, stumbling out of the gates to a 1-2 start with back-to-back losses in Weeks 2 and 3. The Chargers have already turned over the ball eight times through three games, although the team still boasts top-10 numbers on offense and defense.

Philip Rivers has completed nearly 75 percent of his passes for 891 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions, and now has rookie Melvin Gordon behind him who is averaging a very solid 4.3 yards per carry.

That creates a tall task for McCown to overcome after a relatively strong showing in Week 3. Against the Oakland Raiders, McCown passed for 341 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but it wasn't enough in a 27-20 loss. Unlike the Chargers, the Browns rank near the bottom of the NFL in both total offense and defense, and have been especially bad at slowing down opposing running backs.

In Manziel's only start of the season, the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans, 28-14, although the former Heisman Trophy winner completed just eight passes all game for 172 yards and two touchdowns. With McCown out with a concussion, the Browns eased back on the reins and put the game in the hands of running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson instead.

Over at CBS Sports, all eight panelists are taking the Chargers to win. SB Nation's team agrees and is unanimously picking the Chargers to roll through the Browns. Not even ESPN's giant panel of 13 experts could find one person brave enough to pick Cleveland to pull off the road upset.

Ryan Van Bibber Stephen White Joel Thorman David Fucillo Danny Kelly Matt Ufford PFT Commenter OddsShark Computer
CLE @ SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD
See More:

More in NFL

From SBNationExternal Link
Who wins the NFC East?Who wins the NFC East?
From SBNationExternal Link
By Mark Schofield
NFL
Brendan Sorsby gets more bad news, this time from the CFLBrendan Sorsby gets more bad news, this time from the CFL
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has hit another hurdle on his road to the NFL

By Mark Schofield
NFL
NFL breakout candidates at every position in 2026NFL breakout candidates at every position in 2026
NFL

A team of NFL players poised to have breakout campaigns in 2026.

By Jarrett Bailey
NFL
Lions CB Terrion Arnold faces potential life in prison for alleged kidnappingLions CB Terrion Arnold faces potential life in prison for alleged kidnapping
NFL

The Detroit Lions defender faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

By James Dator
NFL
Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026
NFL

Another setback for the QB.

By James Dator
NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa