By james art 
Through the team’s first eight games of the 2024 season. The Cleveland Browns faced some of the best running backs in the league.
Matchups against Dallas’ Dak Prescott, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson have tested second-seeded Cleveland.
This week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers provides another test for this defensive unit, as the AFC West foe has signal-caller Justin Herbert under center.
Analyst Scott Petrak shared Browns cornerback Greg Newsome’s thoughts on the X matchup, and the fourth-year defensive end believes Herbert has one of the strongest throwing arms the team will see this season.
“He’s one of the few guys that can throw a dart off his back foot,” Newsome said, adding, “I definitely think he’s got probably the best arm talent that we’ve faced so far this year.”
#Brown CB Greg Newsome II says Chargers QB Justin Herbert has the best arm talent they’ve seen this year. pic.twitter.com/fu1owOTR5H
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) October 30, 2024
Newsome added that the Browns need to be great in all three phases of the defense to stop Herbert from taking over the drive.
This season, Herbert has completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 1,443 yards and eight touchdowns against just one interception.
The change in his significantly higher production from previous years is due to new head coach Jim Harbaugh and his offensive philosophy.
Herbert has thrown for more than 300 yards just once this season in a 17-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Still, the challenge of slowing down one of the league’s best quarterbacks falls heavily on the shoulders of Newsome and his defenders.
In 2024 Newsome has thrown a career-best three touchdowns this season through eight games and is allowing quarterbacks to complete 61 percent of his passes against him.
NEXT:
Jameis Winston reveals how he will prepare for Sunday’s game