/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65286847/usa_today_13329092.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Rams (2-0) head east to take on the Cleveland Browns (1-1) on Sunday Night Football in Week 3. For many, many years there was absolutely no way this matchup would ever seen primetime. But the Rams are the reigning NFC Champions and a re-tooled Browns team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. An exciting night game between the Rams and Browns...who would’ve thought?!
Can the Rams move to a 3-0 start on the year and remain (in a tie) atop the NFC West? The Turf Show Times make their predictions...
gorams (@AndrewKulick)
Rams shake off their first half offensive sluggishness. Browns’ QB Mayfield gets big “it’s nice to meet you” from Aaron Donald, Dante Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews and Michael Brockers. Cleveland can’t handle the additional pressure of playing their first national broadcast on television since the start of the century losing.
Prediction: Rams win, 37-13
Eddie Perez (@iAmEddieP_)
This year’s rendition of Wade Phillips’ defense has proven to be pretty stout through two games. The defense has created four turnovers in these wins (2 INTS, 2 fumbles recover). Assuming the trend continues, this’ll be a boon. I don’t see Aqib, Marcus, Johnson, Weddle & Co. having a hard time keeping Odell & ‘em in check (think the NO game).The question now is can the offense do its defense justice (funny considering the last two years)? Jared Goff’s gotta be more efficient, have better timing on his throws. There’s been plenty passes thrown to the open turf in these last two outings to last good while. A cleaner passing game will ease things for TG & committee (depending on Malc Brown’s status).
Prediction: Rams win, 34-23
Skye Sverdlin (@skyeattolah)
I can see this game unfolding in several ways, and the Rams could even potentially drop this one. However, the Rams are a battle tested group at this point and probably pragmatically work through a amped up road environment to ultimately make more plays than the Browns.
Prediction: Rams win, 20-16
Kristian Ramirez (@KristianRamirez)
The browns are going to be down some starters while the Rams are going in mostly healthy and with newly re-minted monster Cooper Kupp. Aaron’s Donald looking for a sack doesn’t help either.
Prediction: Rams win, 35-17
Hotdaddywags (@Hotdaddywags)
Tricky road matchup this week against the offseason darling Cleveland Browns. On the one hand, the Browns have a lot of great individual talent in OBJ, Nick Chubb, Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward. On the other hand, they’ve got a rookie head coach, start Greg Robinson at LT and lost at home to the Titans 43-13. The Rams will have their hands full with Garrett, and certainly Beckham can shred you as he did the Jets on Monday night, but it’s safe to say the Browns have yet to find their identity, and Baker Mayfield looks to be in the early stages of a sophomore slump. Through two games, the Rams D looks to be much improved with the additions of Eric Weddle and rookie phenom Taylor Rapp — lest we forget a revitalized Michael Brockers, Pro Bowl-bound Cory Littleton, and a nasty trio of CBs. Oh, and despite being incredibly disruptive, Aaron Donald doesn’t have a sack yet, so a breakout is coming. Similarly, Jared Goff has been solid if unspectacular, and week three could be when things click in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football. Look for the Rams to get Woods (just two catches last week) and Kupp involved early and often, with some shots to Cooks as the D softens up. Two-headed RB monster continues to roll, and though the Browns put up a fight, Rams improve to 3-0.
Prediction: Rams win, 34-17
Elijah Kim (@Big_EZK)
Sunday is projected to be a rainy affair in Cleveland. With the rain comes difficulty in the passing game. The Browns were the darling of the off-season but fell flat in the opener before saving a little face, albeit against a very depleted and Falked New York Jets squad.This game is more important to the Browns because they want to prove that they are worthy contenders while the Rams are still trying to somewhat figure out the running game and taking the holistic approach. The Rams will have their hands full with Chubb, Beckham Jr. and Landry. Oh yeah, and Baker Mayfield as well, who hasn’t looked as amazing as many had hoped.I think the game will be a bit uglier than the anticipated shootout and home field comes a little bit more to play. The Rams fall in a close one.
Prediction: Browns win, 28-24
Brennan Smith (@BrennanJSmith)
This game will come down to keeping Miles Garrett at bay and limiting the big play ability of Odell Beckham Jr. The Rams need more of the edge rush they got against the Panthers and a better game than last week from Dante Fowler. Still, I think Los Angeles can overwhelm the Browns in scoring and I expect a big outing in the passing game from Todd Gurley.
Prediction: Rams win, 35-17
Joey Aucoin (@LARamsRamsRams)
The LA Rams has the fortune of facing a Browns team that hasn’t put together all of their dangerous weapons in a dominant fashion. It’s gonna be a battle of defenses and the Rams have their secondary playing at a high level.
Prediction: Rams win, 13-3
Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP)
The Browns are a decent team with major expectations, though the Rams just seem to be a lot more complete at this point in time. The defensive line has a chance to really kick start things in this one as Baker Mayfield has been pressured early and often. Defensively, the Browns are pretty good, though I expect the Rams to get things going as majority of their issue has been “stopping themselves”. The Rams silence the crowd on this one.
Prediction: Rams win, 31-21
seattlerams (@seattlerams_nfl)
My prediction... Pain.
Prediction: Rams win, 37-17
Sean Wilkinson (@Papa_Lurch)
Both of these teams are extremely talented. The difference is the Rams have the ability to turn the talent they have into superior production.That’s not to say that it won’t be a fun game to watch, I just don’t believe it will be a particularly close one.
Prediction: Rams win, 33-20
3k (@3k_)
Prediction: Browns win, 24-23
Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_)
My reverse psychologizing by picking the Saints last week worked wonders! But I shall not be picking against the Rams two weeks in a row. Truthfully, I’m pretty excited for the Browns and I do hope they find their way out of the AFC basement and consistently compete.
That said, we’re talking about teams on two different levels at this point. The Browns got trounced in Week 1 (at home) by the Titans (did you see them on Thursday night?) and then beat the Jets (!) 23-3. The Jets are a very bad football team, and only putting up 23 points against them...color me unimpressed.
Prediction: Rams win, 31-17