The Los Angeles Rams are hosting the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, a game with sneaky playoff implications for both teams. The Rams are squarely in the hunt at 5-6, with a win pulling them into a tie with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Browns are starting Joe Flacco, which is his first start since last season in New York, but Cleveland’s defense is what carries this team.
To preview this matchup, we caught up with Browns Wire editor Cory Kinnan and asked him five questions, including his prediction for the game.
Aside from Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, who is a Browns defender for Rams fans to know?
Browns Wire: Luckily for the Rams, Ward is set to miss his second straight game as he has not practiced all week. Looking at the second level of the defense, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has had a dynamic season. He plays with his hair on fire and is at the top of the leaderboard in tackles behind the line of scrimmage. If you see a blur on your screen on Sunday, it is likely no. 6 on defense.
What have the Browns done well on offense without Deshaun Watson?
Browns Wire: In the passing game they will try to get to the ball to tight end David Njoku in space. He leads all tight ends in YAC as he has proven difficult to bring down in the open field. They will also try to find ways to isolate Amari Cooper in one-on-one coverage. There has not been a cornerback capable of beating him off the line of scrimmage yet, so expect three-step drops and quick hitters to those two receivers. While the run game has provided explosives, they are still looking for down-to-down consistency in that phase of the game.
Does Cleveland have the interior blockers to contain Aaron Donald?
Browns Wire: I’m not sure any team has the interior blockers to contain Aaron Donald. However, there is probably not a better duo of offensive guards than the ones you will find in Cleveland. Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller have been perennial Pro Bowlers, and this year has not been any different. Center Ethan Pocic has also lived up to his contract extension and has built off of his breakout season a year ago.
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua spend a lot of time in the slot. How do you expect Cleveland to match up with them?
Browns Wire: If Denzel Ward were set to play, they would simply just kick former first-rounder Greg Newsome II inside and bring Martin Emerson Jr. on the field when in nickel looks. However, Ward has not practiced all week and backup nickel Cameron Mitchell is also on Injured Reserve. Special Teamer Mike Ford has been seeing time at cornerback in this case with Newsome likely to still kick inside.
Who wins on Sunday?
Browns Wire: The Browns have found a way with much worse quarterback play than they could possibly get from Joe Flacco on Sunday. This includes beating the likes of the 49ers and Steelers with suboptimal quarterback play. Kevin Stefanski is excellent at game planning for his man under center, and Flacco is probably the best pure passer he has had since the injury to Deshaun Watson. It might not be pretty, again, but the Browns find a way to rebound on the back of their defense. Browns 24-14.
