media stuff on the BROWNS game

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
The Rams escaped Cleveland with a 20-13 victory over the Browns despite an uneven performance by the offense, which included two touchdowns and two interceptions thrown by quarterback Jared Goff. The defense maintained pressure on Baker Mayfield and sacked the Browns quarterback three times. The Rams return to Los Angeles 3-0, but must find solutions for their offensive woes before they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.

Branson Wright@BransonWright
Aquib Talib leaving field – points to scoreboard: “Look at his passing yards.” On Baker Mayfield’s 175 passing yards. #Browns @Rams

Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
I tried to warn y’all about the Browns but my brother wasn’t resigned 4 yrs ago so “iM jUsT a hAtEr” … zero experience at head coach and a team who thought they’d arrived.

Brent Lancaster@BrentRamcaster
Let me point this out, though: the Rams’ starting interior OL has a handful of starts between the three of them, and Goff was still relatively clean at the end of the night. That’s incredible.

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Jared Goff was 24 of 38 for 269 yds, two TDs, two ints.
Todd Gurley had 14 att for 43 yds.
Cooper Kupp caught 11 of 12 targets for 102 yds and two TDs.
Brandin Cooks caught 8 of 12 targets for 112 yds.
John Johnson had nine tackles and an int.
Clay Matthews had two sacks.

𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉@Jim_Everett
When @Browns add the O-Line pieces….L👀k out!!

NFL Research@NFLResearch
@AaronDonald99 recorded his first sack of the season late in the 4th quarter of #SundayNightFootball.
On the other side of the ball, @MylesLGarrett brought his season total to 6.0 sacks (2nd in NFL).

Donald (21.5) and Garrett (19.5) are 1st and 2nd in sacks since 2018.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
I didn’t like some of the short yardage calls. Seems like a trust issue with the O-line

—

Step up in the pocket pic.twitter.com/fGVu1dqfFy

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 23, 2019

Baker. Run dude. pic.twitter.com/EyCHvCpaza

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 23, 2019

Browns Fall to Rams, Squander Opportunity to Earn Statement Victory
The Browns had a chance to protect home field and defeat the defending NFC champs on Sunday night, but Baker Mayfield and the offense failed to deliver when it mattered most.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/23/rams-defeat-browns-baker-mayfield-todd-gurley-jared-goff?utm_campaign=themmqb&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

They had it.

For the entire first half and a majority of the third quarter, the Cleveland Browns were staring opportunity in the face. A second-straight primetime win, this time against the reigning NFC champion Rams, and a boost to 2–1 was in their hands. They were doing what they needed to do, putting forward a determined defensive effort and an offense that controlled the ball.

But then the shootout started. Sean McVay’s play designs got confusing. The pressure up front started mounting. And with 33 seconds left to tie the game, on a fourth-and-4 from the Rams’ 4-yard line, the Browns did what they knew they couldn’t during their biggest test of the season thus far: They failed, falling to the still-perfect Rams on Sunday night, 20–13.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the loss, but none of it will be aimed toward the Browns’ defense. In what was the perfect chance to prove they were for real following their 23–3 primetime victory over the Jets in Week 2, the unit did its part, holding the Super Bowl runner-up Rams to just 149 yards and eight first downs in the first half. Todd Gurley, whose performances of late have resurfaced questions around his health, only managed 43 yards on 14 carries on the night.

The injuries the defense suffered coming into the night made the outing even more impressive. Yes, there were breakdowns in pass coverage. But they were hitting hard, prepared for the various formations used by the Rams. They were knocking the ball out and getting to Jared Goff, picking him off twice––all without five of their starters, including all four members of their usual starting secondary. It was enough to give Cleveland a 6–3 lead heading into the halftime locker room.

That’s when the jabs started––and when Cleveland’s offense, the real source of the team’s shortcomings, couldn’t keep up.

After Goff and the Rams capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown to start the third quarter, Baker Mayfield and the Browns responded with a 75-yard drive of their own to go up 13–10.

But while the Rams continued to run with pace and quick snaps to give Goff more opportunities, the Browns continued to look lost. The offensive line broke down. Mayfield (195 yards, one touchdown and one interception) couldn’t find any comfort, even in a clean pocket. The playcalling became inexplicable (a draw on fourth-and-9 from the Rams’ 40-yard line?!) and the creativity was lacking.

And even when the defense gave them another chance, intercepting Goff with a little over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Browns still couldn’t take advantage and capitalize on the opportunity. Mayfield, when faced with immediate pressure from an aggressive Rams front, retreated before launching a desperation heave in the endzone. The pass was intercepted. The comeback bid was over, and the Browns fell to 1–2.

It may start with Mayfield, who said as much after his pedestrian performance. It may be the offensive line, which has given up 11 sacks in three games so far this season. It may be Freddie Kitchens, whose game plans and play calls haven’t worked when they needed them most.

Whoever is to blame, the fact remains the same: Cleveland’s offense is in desperate need of some soul-searching––some effective, permanent changes––and it needs it quickly. The Browns have too much talent for them to remain unimaginative. Too much potential to continue to stumble.

Too much at stake to continue to fail.

from PFF ReFocused: Los Angeles Rams 20, Cleveland Browns 13

https://www.pff.com/news/pro-nfl-week-3-pff-refocused-los-angeles-rams-20-cleveland-browns-13

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Jared Goff had a mixed game, throwing two interceptions, the second with 2:46 left in the game and allowed the Browns to drive down and have a chance to tie up the game. Goff rarely pushed the ball downfield and struggled to create enough big plays through the air to put the Browns away earlier in the game.

Cooper Kupp was the main target man, as the Browns played with two deep safeties for the majority of the game and allowed the Rams slot receiver to take advantage in the middle of the field. He finished the game with 11 catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Aaron Donald registered his first sack of the season but also racked up more than half a dozen pressures to go along with that. Donald was also a force in run defense, as he continually penetrated upfield and disrupted cut lanes on the Browns’ outside zone plays.

Rookie Takeaways

Rookie safety Taylor Rapp had a rough evening, as he struggled in his run fits and was blocked at the second level quite often. In coverage, he struggled in his assignments, allowed multiple catches to be converted into a first down and was responsible for coverage on the Browns’ lone touchdown. He completely redeemed himself, however, when he broke up a pass at the back of the end zone on the Browns’ final drive, preventing a touchdown.

“What do the Browns lack right now? Character… They are the most predictable team in the league.”@ColinCowherd reacts to Cleveland's slow start pic.twitter.com/6rCRz2wseQ

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 23, 2019