There were plenty of question marks surrounding Browns running back Trent Richardson this week, with a rib cartilage injury pestering the rookie running back the past two weeks. He had just eight yards on eight carries against the Colts in Week 7 and was severely limited in the second half. Pat Shurmur indicated this week that Richardson looked much better in practice, and that was apparent on the Browns opening possession against the Chargers.

It's an ugly day on Lake Erie, and the Browns repeatedly fed the ball to Richardson on their opening drive. He responded with 49 yards on five carries, including a 26-yard touchdown scamper. Richardson went to his right looking for running room, finding a little space and bursting through the first level. He ran into his own lineman, Shawn Lauvao, who held him and an boosted him up the middle for the early 7-0 Cleveland lead.

Statistically, the Chargers had one of the top rush defenses in the league through the first seven weeks, but in nasty weather, it looks like the Browns will continue to pound it on the ground with Richardson.