A big play by running back Trent Richardson has the Cleveland Browns leading 7-0 over the San Diego Chargers after one quarter on Sunday afternoon. The rookie took a handoff 26 yards for the touchdown with roughly five minutes remaining in the quarter, putting the Browns ahead at home.
The Chargers began the game with a 10-play, six-minute drive into Cleveland territory on the first possession of the game, but the Browns stopped running back Jackie Battle on 4th-and-1 at the Browns' 30-yard line. Nine of the 10 plays on the drive were running plays, although Philip Rivers completed his only pass attempt for 14 yards.
Cleveland responded with a lengthy drive of its own, leaning heavily on Richardson during the 12-play, 70-yard drive highlighted by the rookie's scoring run. He's carried the ball eight times for 57 yards overall, a massive improvement compared with his recent performance while dealing with a recurring rib injury.
The Browns still need to limit an offense that includes Rivers (3-for-4, 21 yards) and Ryan Mathews (seven carries, 34 yards), but they're off to a solid start.