CLEVELAND, Ohio -- So many in the media and with the Cleveland Browns assume Josh Gordon will immediately be the Browns best player Sunday.

Maybe he will.

He does have the innate natural ability. He's only 26. Of course, he last played well in the NFL in 2013.

Gordon coming back certainly doesn't hurt the Browns chances to win in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

But will they win?

Before answering that, I looked at the quarterback situation.

Not the Browns. Fans of the orange helmets know that story.

But at Philip Rivers, who has started the last 187 games in a row for the Chargers. With the benching of Eli Manning, Rivers has the longest active streak in the NFL.

I kept thinking about that ... having a quarterback who has been a starter for 187 games.

Before getting to any other stats, the 187-game streak is amazing when you consider how quarterbacks are injured.

Not Rivers.

His career record is 102-85. Pretty good, but not great.

In his 11 full years as a starter, his teams have made the playoffs five times. No Super Bowls.

So this is his 12th season as a starter.

In that same span, the Browns have started nine different quarterbacks ... ON OPENING DAY!

Overall, they have had 21 different starting quarterbacks since Rivers took his first snap with the Chargers in 2006.

Probably if Rivers played in Cleveland, fans would be complaining that he failed to lead the team to the Super Bowl.

But imagine having a viable, professional quarterback year after year.

TOUGH ASSIGNMENT

For all the local discussion of how the Browns passing game can possibly improve with Gordon, look at the man throwing the ball for the Chargers.

Rivers will turn 36 on December 8.

He is completing 62 percent of his passes, 20 for TDs compared to seven interceptions. He has been sacked only 12 times.

He's a smart veteran quarterback. He has played for an organization that certainly isn't close to the best run in the NFL.

He has played for four head coaches, including three who passed through Cleveland: Norv Turner (2013), Anthony Lynn (2007-08) and Marty Schottenheimer (1980-88).

The Chargers lost their first four games of the season. There was trauma involving the move from San Diego to Los Angeles. Rivers was one of several players not thrilled about it.

The Chargers are playing in a 30,000-seat soccer stadium and their crowds have been in the 25,000 range. Not a lot of interest in the team in La-La Land.

But since that 0-4 start, the Chargers are 5-2.

Rivers was the quarterback when the Browns upset the Chargers in Cleveland on Christmas Eve. It was the only win of Hue Jackson's tenure as coach.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

I don't feel good about this game.

Not at all.

The Chargers are on the edge of the playoff race.

Their defense is outstanding against the pass -- it ranks No. 4.

Ohio State product Joey Bosa has 10 sacks for the second year in a row. Former Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley is the Chargers defensive coordinator, and he's well-suited for that position.

I've always liked receiver Keenan Allen, and he has 67 catches this season.

Former Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin has caught 23 passes, averaging 16.3 yards per catch. Three have been for TDs.

Former Kent State basketball player turned future Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates has 16 receptions at the age of 37.

Prediction: Chargers 31, Browns 13.