Cleveland offense vs. San Diego defense

	BROWNS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	29
	Pass	29
	Tot. Yds.	31
	Scoring	31
	Int's allowed	11
	Sacks allowed	45
	CHARGERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	12
	vs. Pass	26
	Total yds. allowed	21
	# of Ints.	11
	# of Sacks	22
	Turnover differential	-8

The Cleveland offensive scheme hasn't had much of a chance this season, due to the infidelity of their offensive line. The Browns front line has yielded a league high 45 sacks of rookie QB Tim Couch and have failed to provide RB's Karim Abdul-Jabbar, (2. 8 yards a carry) and Terry Kirby (3. 3 yards a carry) with any room to run.

The Chargers' defense is ranked 12th against the run and 26th against the pass. This should work for Browns' coach Chris Palmer, as he has put a great deal of time and effort into bringing along Couch this year. Couch has thrown 12 touchdowns, versus nine interceptions while ducking and side stepping opposing tacklers.

The Chargers defensive backfield has been riddled with injuries all season long. Pro-Bowler Rodney Harrison and his back up, Greg Jackson, have both been sidelined, leaving the door open for quarterbacks to expose rookie Jason Perry. The Browns will be taking lots of chances up top in the middle of the field, testing the likes of Perry on Sunday.

Cleveland's running game has floundered all season and it won't be rectified on Sunday. While the Chargers defensive line may have trouble rushing the passer, they are skilled at stopping the run. And with help from their talented linebacking corps, shutting down the Brown's running game will not be a difficult task.

The Browns offense is not only outmanned up front, but they're no match for the Charger linebackers either. Cleveland lacks the big blocking back necessary to clear out holes for Abdul-Jabbar. LB's Junior Seau and Eric Hill will be able to beat Cleveland FB Marc Edwards all day, getting to the Cleveland ball carrier before he has a chance to get to them.

Cleveland's passing game has been efficient of late, thanks in large part to the adjustments made by Couch. Couch has become accustomed to the heavy pressure allowed by a weak offensive line. This has led to his near perfection of the timing route and growing rapport with budding WR Kevin Johnson. Palmer has also let Couch work out of a shotgun set comprised of five receivers from time to time, allowing the rookie to use his vision while spreading opposing defenses all over the field.

The Chargers have had trouble figuring out how they want to cover teams this year and it has come back to haunt them. Defensive coordinator Joe Pascale has been forced to use zone coverage too often this year, resulting from secondary-decimating injuries that have created mismatches against three receiver sets and led to successful third down conversions by enemy offenses. Look for Couch to capitalize on this Sunday.

For the Chiefs, Means return couldn't have come at a better time. The Cleveland defense is last in the NFL in rushing defense, yielding 167 yards a game, so something has got to give. Despite Means' return, San Diego's ailing running game won't be cured overnight. Even when he healthy, Means struggled, averaging a mere 2.6 yards a carry.

However, even with Means surfacing in the Charger lineup, San Diego will still look to throw the ball first. The Bolts have had a great deal of success throwing recently, with Harbaugh passing for 882 yards and four TDs in his last three starts. Led by LCB Ryan McNeil, the Browns are 13th among NFL defenses in stopping the pass, but rank last in NFL in sacks, so Harbaugh will have time to probe the Cleveland secondary and locate second and third options.

Behind veteran OT Jon Jackson, the Chargers have shown improvement up front, but most of their progression has come in their protection of Harbaugh, although the loss of LG Aaron Taylor, who has been hampered by a sore leg, won't help.

Up front the Browns' defensive line is beginning to gel. Last week they kept Eddie George in check, using their speed and athleticism to get upfield and disrupt the Titan blocking schemes. Look for active Cleveland DT's Stalin Colinet and Darius Holland to stunt often in an attempt to rattle fill-in Kendy Jacox. Jacox is a true center and playing guard in Taylor's absence has him exercising poor angles and techniques while trying to pick up slants and rips by opposing DT's.

San Diego QB Jim Harbaugh has done a nice job avoiding blitzing linebackers and penetrating defensive lineman lately, buying time for himself in the pocket. Time in the pocket is significant because, when hurried by the blitz, Harbaugh is forced to throw short to the likes of Kenny Bynum and TE Freddie Jones. Bynum turned a five yard leave from Harbaugh into an 80-yard score last week in Minnesota and Jones is currently second among AFC TE's in receptions (42) and yards (496).

Cleveland's secondary has been using more one-on-one coverage lately, but against Charger WR Jeff Graham this could serve as a problem. Graham has been the beneficiary of Harbaugh's recent roll, catching 11 passes for 224 yards over the past two games. If Graham is pressed at the LOS by the likes of CB Ryan McNeil, he'll use his natural athleticism to get behind the corner and big plays will follow.