Browns scouting report: Los Angeles Rams
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., in SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Record: 5-6.
Last game: Defeated Arizona Cardinals, 37-14, November 26, in Phoenix.
Coach: Sean McVay, 65-44, seventh year.
Series record: Rams lead, 13-11 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Rams won, 20-13, September 22, 2019, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is 17th overall (14th rushing, 14th passing), defense is 16th overall (16th rushing, 17th passing) and turnover differential is minus-3.
Things to watch
1. After mortgaging their future to reach -- and win -- Super Bowl 56 two years ago, the Rams appear to have survived the worst. They slumped to 5-12 last year and cleared the decks of high-salaried veterans Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey. After beating Seattle and Arizona in successive weeks, they have matched their win total of last year and crept into the NFC wild-card race. Plus, they will have $50 million+ in salary cap room in 2024. The keys to a quick turnaround to legit contender ranks is another productive draft in 2024 and keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy.
2. Stafford, 35, has two more years – and probably a restructuring -- before the Rams can effectively get out of his contract. So they feel they can make another run with him. Since returning from a thumb injury on October 29, Stafford led a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Seattle and threw four touchdowns against Arizona.
Running back Kyren Williams has rushed for 301 yards in his last two games -- five weeks apart. (Los Angeles Rams)
3. The return of second-year running back Kyren Williams has been a huge boost to the offense and has spurred thoughts of a playoff chase. Williams, a fifth-round pick from Notre Dame in 2022, hit the Cardinals for 143 yards rushing and 61 yards and two TDs receiving. He rushed for 158 yards in his previous game before a four-week layoff with an ankle injury.
4. Sean McVay might rely more on Williams and tight end Tyler Higbee offensively because No. 1 receiver Cooper Kupp has battled injuries all year and rookie sensation Puka Nacua, a fifth-round pick from Brighan Young, has tapered off after a phenomenal start. Nacua had four games of 119 yards+ receiving in his first seven games, but has averaged 43 yards a game over his last four games.
5. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a three-time NFL defensive player-of-the-year. Although he has had relatively quiet seasons in 2022 and 2023, he is capable of owning any game in which he plays.
Did you know … ?
1. The Rams originated in Cleveland in 1937 and played there through 1945. They moved to Los Angeles in 1946 when Ohio coaching legend Paul Brown’s creation in the upstart All-America Football Conference took the Cleveland sports scene by storm. When the AAFC Cleveland Browns were merged into the NFL in 1950, they faced the Rams in the championship game in their very first season, and beat them, 30-28. The Rams avenged the next season and beat the Browns, 24-17, for the NFL championship.
2. The Rams have not used a pick in the first round of the draft since selecting quarterback Jared Goff first overall in 2016. They led the NFL with 14 picks in the 2023 draft and currently own picks in the first six rounds of the 2024 draft and could receive an additional four compensatory picks for free agent losses.
3. Former Browns safety John Johnson returned to the Rams this year and has worked his way into the starting lineup after a slow start.
4. Donald is one of three players to win DPOY three times. The others: Lawrence Taylor (1981, ’82, ’86) and J.J. Watt (2012, ’14, ’15).
Small world: Safety John Johnson played for the Browns in 2021 and 2022 … Kicker Lucas Havrisik (2023) and cornerback Shaun Jolly (2022) were members of the Browns’ practice squad … Safety Jordan Fuller played at Ohio State.
