A big defensive stop on the final play helped the Rams seal their win at FirstEnergy Stadium.
It was another primetime test for the Browns, who were hosting a Sunday night game for the first time in 11 years.
But a learning curve and a strong defensive performance from the Rams kept Cleveland from picking up the victory and they fell to 1-2.
Three takeaways from the Rams’ narrow victory
It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t have to be
The Rams barely escaped with a win in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, and again on Sunday against the Browns.
There were plenty of miscues on both sides, which started when the Browns were not able to get into the end zone after a turnover right before half-time. Instead, they settled for a field goal – a costly error seeing how they lost by one touchdown. Cleveland again failed to take advantage of a big defensive play by going three-and-out after a TJ Carrie takeaway.
Meanwhile, Cooper Kupp seemed to be Jared Goff’s saving grace. Goff completed 24 of his 38 passes and found the third-year receiver 11 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Another late mistake from Goff put the Browns in position to tie or win, but they could not withstand Los Angeles’ defensive pressure.
Baker Mayfield needs to keep up the pace
Mayfield has received criticism for holding the ball too long and not finding open receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. He did so once again against the Rams, who have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Aaron Donald.
According to Next Gen Stats, even when Mayfield was able to escape pressure, he struggled to connect with his receivers.
Mayfield finished 18-of-36 passing for 195 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was also sacked three times.
The Browns, obviously, do well when Mayfield can move quickly. He will need to do so as their schedule is packed with tough defensive units like the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4 and the Denver Broncos in Week 8.
Browns’ new secondary step up
Cleveland’s entire starting secondary were out due to injury, and five (out of seven total injured players) out of the game were part of the defensive unit. But that did not seem to be a big problem against the reigning NFC champions.
The Browns started with risky man-to-man coverage against the talented Rams receiving corp and it worked, forcing Los Angeles to go three-and-out on their first drive. They kept Goff and company touchdown-less through the first half, an area the Rams have struggled with, having scored just one first-half touchdown in their past three games.
In the second half, the defensive backs continued to disrupt Goff.
And another takeaway set up the Browns’ final drive.
So, while the offense continue to work through some growing pains, the Browns can look to their secondary for help.
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