We're only five weeks into the 2018 NFL season and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is on a historic pace.
If he continues at this rate, he is on track for career-highs in touchdowns and completion percentage.
Though Rivers is in his 15th season, the success he's had doesn't surprise the team's Week 6 opponent – the Cleveland Browns.
"He's one of the best quarterbacks in this league," Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson said. "He's still playing at a high level (and) completing over 70 percent of his passes, so I expect nothing but that from Philip. I see no decline in him at all. If anything, I've seen him continuing to get better."
"I love Philip Rivers," added quarterback Baker Mayfield. "I think he's an unbelievable competitor. He's a guy that gets the ball out quickly, gets it in his playmakers' hands (and) puts his team in position to win. I love the passion for the game side of his mentality. That's something I really do respect, and I'm looking forward to the challenge come Sunday."
The Browns know stopping Rivers won't be an easy task. Particularly, with all the weapons at his disposal.
"When you look around, having the young player out of Clemson, the receiver Mr. (Mike) Williams and obviously, you can't take anything away from 13 (Keenan Allen)," Jackson continued. "He's been as good as anybody in the league. The running backs are playing at a high level. I think they've been together long enough now that those guys know how Philip likes to play, and so now they're creating those special plays among the team."
Flipping to the other side of the ball, Mayfield will be the second rookie QB to go up against the Bolts' defense this season. According to Mayfield, it's not only what that stands out about the unit, but who as well.
"Number 54 (Melvin Ingram)," Mayfield mentioned. "You've got to keep your eyes out for him. (They're) doing a good job of putting him in situations, mixing him around where he's at on the line of scrimmage, mixing the looks up, confusing offensive fronts. They're not bringing a whole lot of people but they're really, really good at what they're doing, so I think we need to be fundamentally sound to take care of that."
Another defensive player the Browns will have their eye on this Sunday is safety Derwin James. Jackson called the rookie a "tremendous player" while Mayfield raved about how multiple he is.
"I wouldn't do him justice to (name just) one particular thing (he does well)," Mayfield said. "I think he's a do-it-all safety, and that's what the buzz was about him before the draft. He's just making all that come true now. He's doing everything on the field. He can blitz (and) he can get back there in coverage. It's impressive to see a rookie be able to do that for a defense."
