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Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers halftime observations

The Cleveland Browns enter halftime leading the Los Angeles Chargers 21-17.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns enter halftime of their Week 5 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers with a 21-17 lead.

What follows are three observations that help tell the tale of Sunday's first half:

Hot start

The Browns couldn't have asked for a better start to their Sunday, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead. Nick Chubb struck first with a 41-yard touchdown, with Jacoby Brissett then finding Amari Cooper for an 11-yard score.

If there were any concerns about Cleveland enduring a hangover after last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, they didn't last for long. Unfortunately for the Browns, their hot start only lasted so long.

Familiar foes

Laying claim to one of the league's most potent offenses, the Chargers wouldn't stay quiet for long. But while Los Angeles entered Sunday laying claim to the league's top passing attack, it was the Chargers' running game that carried the load.

Tallying a season-high 135 yards on 17 carries, Los Angeles scored 17 unanswered points, with Joshua Kelley scoring on a five-yard run and Austin Ekeler capping a 12-play, 99-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown on a screen pass. For a Browns defense that has been defined by its inconsistencies this season, Sunday has thus far been no different.

Bouncing back

Despite surrendering their early double-digit lead, Cleveland wasn't willing to fold. Aided by a roughing the passing penalty on third and goal, Nick Chubb capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with his second touchdown -- a 2-yard run -- to give the Browns a 21-17 lead.

Entering the second half, expect a heavy dose of Chubb, as well as Kareem Hunt, as the Browns look to maintain control of the game. But if the Chargers offense is any indication, Brissett is going to have to make some more plays and Cleveland's defense is going to have to break some familiar habits.

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