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CARSON, Calif. -- New Chargers kicker Travis Coons tied a career high with four field goals, and Keenan Allen added a touchdown catch as Los Angeles kept the Cleveland Browns winless with a 19-10 decision on Sunday at the StubHub Center. Coons, who was signed to replace an injured Nick Novak (back/injured reserve) on Saturday, missed his initial attempt and then rattled off four consecutive successful kicks.
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The Browns (0-12) lost their 27th game in their past 28 contests. Their lone win over that span came against the Chargers last year.
The Chargers (6-6) won for the sixth time in eight games after an 0-4 start. With the Kansas City Chiefs losing and the Oakland Raiders winning, the three teams are tied for first place in the AFC West.
There was no repeat by the Chargers of their 2016 stumble against the Browns, although Los Angeles was hardly dominant as it squandered numerous scoring opportunities in letting Cleveland stay close.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon played for the Browns, seeing action for the first time since 2014 because of off-the-field issues. The former Pro Bowler had four catches for 85 yards.
Los Angeles quarterback Philip Rivers completed 31 of 43 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown.
Allen was again Rivers' favorite target, pacing all receivers with 10 catches for 105 yards.
Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer was 15 of 32 for 215 yards and a score with one interception.
Los Angeles' Melvin Gordon led all rushers with 77 yards on 19 carries.
Zane Gonzalez pulled the Browns to within 19-10 with 12 minutes remaining on a 35-yard field goal.
With a minute left in the third quarter, Coons kicked his fourth field goal. The 27-yarder gave the Chargers a 19-7 cushion.
Rivers clicked with Allen on a 7-yard scoring strike five minutes into the third quarter. That pushed the Chargers ahead 16-7 as they finally notched a touchdown in their fifth possession that reached Cleveland's 20-yard line. Allen snagged his fifth touchdown reception of the season and his fourth in three games.
The Browns seized the lead 7-6 two minutes before halftime on a 28-yard scoring pass from Kizer to tight end David Njoku. Trevor Williams was beaten in single coverage on the play.
Los Angeles broke a scoreless tie six minutes into the second quarter on Coons' 21-yard field goal. Coons, the Chargers' third kicker of the season, missed his first effort in the opening quarter when his 38-yarder ricocheted off the right upright.
Coons' 40-yard field goal late in the second quarter extended the Chargers' lead to 6-0.
NOTES: Browns WR Josh Gordon played his first game in 1,078 days, his absence caused by NFL and team suspensions. ... The Chargers placed K Nick Novak (back) on injured reserve Saturday. ... Los Angeles DT Darius Philon started in place of Corey Liuget (foot). ...CB Casey Hayward returned to the Chargers after missing practices following the death of his brother. ... Los Angeles WR Mike Williams (knee) was inactive. ... QB DeShone Kizer was Cleveland's leading rusher with 46 yards on five carries.
