The Chargers have gotten two huge coverage busts from Cleveland in the first half.
Joshua Palmer scored on a third and 20 play in the first quarter, when a miscommunication between the Browns secondary left the receiver wide open down the sideline for a 27 yard touchdown to open the scoring.
With a third and 6 from their own 34 after Myles Garrett’s third sack of the game earlier in the drive, it seemed like the Chargers were well on their way to their third straight three and out.
Justin Herbert dropped back and ran a few feet to his right before resetting his feet and delivering a strike downfield, revealing a wide open Quentin Johnston down the sideline as the broadcast camera panned downfield. Browns cornerback Denzel Ward and safety Juan Thornhill had miscommunicated about who was supposed to take Johnston’s route.
Johnston looked the ball into his hands, making the catch and speeding down the sideline to beat Thornhill to the corner for a 66 yard touchdown, the longest reception of his career. The touchdown was also his fourth of the season and first since Week 3.
It was also Herbert’s tenth passing touchdown of the season, giving the Chargers a 13-3 lead after Cameron Dicker missed his third extra point of the season.
