Tag: Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams

Data Dump: What the trends tell us about the Browns with 5 weeks left

Examining NFL metrics and analytics to determine how well the Cleveland Browns are playing

The Cleveland Browns finished their two-week tour out west with painful losses to the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. In this week’s “Data Dump,” we’ll see how poorly the Browns did during their mini odyssey. The trip was not kind to the Browns as their great defense faltered against experienced gunslingers and their crafty coaches. The offense returned with more questions at the quarterback position than when they left after Joe Flacco’s Cleveland debut.

The team’s homecoming against the Jacksonville Jaguars allows the Browns to right the ship and control their destiny for the remainder of the season. The Browns and Jaguars game has major implications for the AFC playoff race. The Jaguars are a good, but not a great team, battling to win the AFC South. If the Browns defeat the Jaguars, it will inspire a lot of confidence in the group, both internally and externally.

After 12 games, the Browns are firmly entrenched in their statistical tiers. One game can no longer swing the Browns in one direction or another. Right now, the Browns need to stack the success of multiple games to put a dent in their rankings. The team must finish the season strong and head into the playoffs on a hot streak.

WATCH: Officials make hilarious ‘butt cheek’ call on Elijah Moore review in Browns vs. Rams

He said what?

The Cleveland Browns are locked in a 10-13 battle with the Los Angeles Rams. The officials at the game, however, broke the tension a bit as the Rams challenged the ruling on the field of a long catch by wide receiver Elijah Moore.

As quarterback Joe Flacco found Moore deep down the field along the sideline for 42 yards, he was able to get a body part in bounds before he went out of bounds. The Rams challenged that he did not establish possession in-bounds, losing the challenge. The call from the official to confirm the call on the field, however? Priceless.

As the Browns look to bounce back after a loss to the Denver Broncos a week ago, they will need continued success from Flacco and Moore. With Amari Cooper in the concussion protocol, the Browns will rely on the connection between the two former New York Jets.

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Browns WR Amari Cooper leaves vs. Rams, evaluated for concussion

Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper leaves Rams game with apparent rib injury.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper left the Rams game during the second quarter. Cooper was injured when sandwiched between two Rams defenders on a slant route. He stayed down on the field for moments before being escorted to the medical tent. Cooper suffered a rib injury last week against the Broncos when he was speared while attempting to catch the ball. He is being evaluated for a concussion.

Cooper received X-rays on his ribs after the hit that showed no broken bones. He missed Wednesday’s practice but practiced with the team for the rest of the week. The leading Cleveland receiver is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

The Cleveland Browns need Cooper’s talents to help revive their dead offense. The receivers have been drive killers thus far today as dropped passes have plagued a rather sharp Joe Flacco. The team is currently losing to the Rams 7-10 in the second quarter.

UPDATE: Cooper has been ruled out the rest of the game.

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Browns: Joe Flacco is back like he never left with touchdown dart to Jerome Ford

The Browns strike first!

The Cleveland Browns are back in business and have struck first in their Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Joe Flacco does not look like a quarterback who has been on the couch for 11 months as he found running back Jerome Ford for a long touchdown, capping off a stellar opening drive.

All in all, Flacco is back like he never left. He finished the opening drive and his first drive in a Cleveland Browns uniform with 65 yards and a touchdown on four-of-five passing. Ford leads the Browns with 37 yards receiving on two catches thus far. Now on their fourth starting quarterback on the season, the Browns could do something no team has done in nearly a decade.

Can the defense follow up an opening drive touchdown with a stop of their own to push the Rams back? With still nine minutes left in the first quarter, there is plenty of football left to be played.

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Browns vs. Rams: How to watch as Joe Flacco looks to lead Cleveland to bounce back win

Can Joe Flacco lead the Browns to a bounce back win?

They have done the unthinkable twice before this season. The Cleveland Browns have knocked off the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers with P.J. Walker at quarterback, and have come back from 14 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Baltimore Ravens. As they start veteran quarterback Joe Flacco against the Los Angeles Rams, the Browns might need a bit more of that magic.

The Rams, coming off of back-to-back wins, sit at 5-6 on the season. The Browns sit at 7-4, still controlling their own destiny on the pathway to a playoff spot. With a win over the Rams, the Browns can see their playoff probability leap to 87 percent.

On paper, the Browns should be able to control the game with their defense and their run game. However, the game is not played on paper.

As the Browns get set to conclude their afternoon road trip in Los Angeles, here is all the information necessary to get ready for the game.