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znModeratorRams24/7@Rams24_7
Despite a few poor throws/decisions by Goff last night one thing I really liked were some subtle moves he made in the pocket to evade free rushers and by an extra second to throwAnother positive is we were 2/3 in the red zone last night with Goff throwing two 3rd down TDs to Kupp
Defense needs to take a bow for last night. The last two years our offense was clearly our stronger unit, it’s flipped this year thus far. The secondary has been elite and the pass rush, while not consistent outside of AD, has cashed in many coverage sacks as a result
Legitimate question: how many throws over 20 air yards have been completed against our defense this year?
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Great Bordeni
McVay 15-3 on the road (16-3 including playoffs). Also 9-0 against AFC, 9-1 including playoffs
He made some headscratching calls tonight. But he got the win, again. Wonder how 15-3 compares with other coaches?
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Game ball for @sonofbum.
Shoutout to the defense! 👏 pic.twitter.com/nunjqMOcBL
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 23, 2019
znModeratorBrowns 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.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.
September 23, 2019 at 10:55 am in reply to: highlights, Browns game … + some Waldman & others #105536znModerator#Rams–#Browns — Let’s look at the coverage on the 4th down play to close out the game….Bracket call vs. Beckham (slot) + 3-on-2 vs. the stack set (top of the screen). That takes away the pick concept. @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/yNvrVJohba
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) September 23, 2019
znModeratordzrams
I think the Rams defense pressured the Browns into some mistakes. Mayfield did mostly have his way with the quick passing game but the counter to that is what the announcers mentioned all night. He literally did not have one successful play when he was forced to hold the ball for longer than 2 seconds. That’s a credit to the Rams. The secondary dominated in addition to the DL pressuring Mayfield all night. Chubbs did well but….13 points total. Who cares? If we’re gonna look and be concerned about the offense not being right, we should also acknowledge that the D looks near dominant. I’m not gonna just look at what’s going wrong because that’s not balanced.
znModeratorRich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Pretty wild to think that Jared Goff is only 6 months older than Baker Mayfield.Stu Jackson@StuJRams
What was going through #LARams safety John Johnson III’s mind on the final drive tonight?“Four plays,” he told me. “That was the mindset. One at a time. It got to that fourth-down play – he wanted it, I had to have it. Ballgame.”
J.B. Long@JB_Long
In Week 3, @CooperKupp lifts the @RamsNFL offense to victory:12 targets*
11 receptions*
2 touchdowns^
102 yards*New career-high
^Matches career-highPer ESPN research, Kupp is the first @RamsNFL Rams player with more than 10 catches, 100 receiving yards and 2 receiving TD since @BigGame81 in Week 6 of 2003. #LARams #LAvsCLE
Clay Matthew has 4 sacks in 3 games with the @RamsNFL, already exceeding his 2018 total. And he picks up two in Cleveland on a night his father goes into the Ring of Honor. #GameBall
With his first sack of 2019, @AaronDonald97 just became the fastest @RamsNFL player to reach 60 career sacks (81 games), and the fastest defensive tackle to reach 60 in NFL history. Appropriate that Canton is exactly 60 miles away from Cleveland.
September 23, 2019 at 9:53 am in reply to: highlights, Browns game … + some Waldman & others #105532znModeratorThis was obviously posted in twitter before AD got his sack.
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Aaron Donald isn't playing well this year, he doesn't have a sack.
Please. pic.twitter.com/UjLhk869Br
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 23, 2019
znModeratorLike father, like son 🧡
What a special night for Clay Matthews Jr. — our newest Ring of Honor inductee#LARvsCLE pic.twitter.com/MwMzCiujgr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 22, 2019
znModeratorLMU93
Inconsistency and lack of rhythm remains on offense but the Rams have a budding top-5 defense which is just as, if not more, important to their long-term interests this year and beyond.
The offense has yet to put together a full 4-quarter effort. They flash but have faced three straight good defensive fronts and have had struggles. A few drops, a few bad throws, a few missed blocks- they all add up. Demby didn’t help them at RG and could have been part of the reason they didn’t go for it on 4th and 1 from the Browns 19 in the 4th quarter. They missed Higbee as a blocker last night as well. The offense is still working out answers to that 6-1 wide defense teams are throwing at them to prevent the outside zone runs. The answer, in my opinion, is pounding it up the gut but they’re very young on the interior OL so again inconsistency remains there. I’d like to see some wham blocks inside with Higbee once he returns. Heck, when Goff sees that look shift Higbee into a FB position and just pound straight ahead. Running game just wasn’t clicking Sunday- 17 carries for 50 yards between Gurley and Brown.
The OL did hold up fairly well overall in pass protection and Goff helped himself by being able to move around in the pocket- an underrated aspect of his game. Garrett was bound to get there once and the Browns smartly lined him up on Havenstein several times.
I see the offensive line as a work in progress more than a problem. For whatever his faults, the drop-off from Blythe to Demby was big. Allen and Noteboom are absolute works in progress. Allen, to me, has been the steadier of the two. He still needs to get stronger but that’s not happening until next offseason. Noteboom looks to me like a LT playing LG.
And I’m all for Noteboom starting at LG this year. He is clearly one of their best five best OL and playing next to Whitworth for a year is great for his development. I just think he looks more likely to slide to LT next spring. We’ll see.
It’s also hardly a bad or sputtering offense. 25.7 PPG is tied for 7th in the league. Last year (offensive scoring only) they were 28.7. In 2017 26.4.
Also 13th in red zone scoring right now. Only place they’ve dropped off is points-per-play. 10th so far this year vs. 3rd in 2018 and 1st in 2017. Fewer home run plays for sure.
2-of-3 in the red zone which is good. Goff made some good throws and some bad ones. His QB rating was just 79.8 but his ESPN QBR has risen since week 1.
Defensively they were outstanding in my opinion. Talib is an unsung guy on that unit. Played really well vs OBJ. The secondary as a whole has been excellent. Donald was Donald and overall pass rush was very good vs a weak (other than Bitonio) Browns OL. Giving up 16.3 PPG (7th in the NFL), less than 286 yards/game (3rd) and 9th in red zone scoring defense. Yards/rush allowed improved to 4.2 (16th). Matthews and Fowler 6 sacks combined off the edge in three games.
Opposing QB passer rating- they’re ranked 3rd. Yards/attempt allowed- 4th. They were bottom half of the league in both a year ago.
Where are the Rams right now? 3-0 is 3-0 even without any style points victories. TeamRankings.com https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/team/los-angeles-rams/projections projects them as 12-4 right now and they are heavy (10-point) favorites to go 4-0 before the annual presumably tough game @SEA on a Thursday night. I’ll settle for more 1st half scoring overall. The Rams overall scoring/game isn’t down much but it sure is in the first half. 7.3 PPG (24th) vs. 16.3/game last year (2nd).
Work to be done… Their points differential (+28) is 7th in the NFL.
znModeratorWildflecken
1.) [Browns defensive coordinator] Wilks gave McVay all he could handle tonight. McVay adjusted in the second half and finally began running between the tackles. I expected to see this much earlier in this contest since the defensive alignment Wilks incorporated was the exact same defense used by Bill Belichick in last years Super Bowl.
I was also impressed with some new wrinkles we saw tonight designed specifically to generate some outside zone running against this alignment. The double reverse on the jet sweep, McVay rolling Goff on a designed run etc.. McVay is certainly determined in his approach to make the outside zone running approach a success even if it means running it into the strength of the opposing defensive alignment.
2.) Aaron Donald just may be the best defensive talent to EVER play this game. His play tonight was not only critical to the Rams victory but phenomenal. Donald was one of my posted keys to victory in week 3 and he certainly did not disappoint. The first game ball tonight goes to Donald, but there is one also reserved for the Rams ENTIRE defense.
There is also a game ball for Wade Phillips. Wade was spot on tonight with his defensive calls tonight. In fact I can only remember one play the entire game in which Kitchens got the best of Wade
3.) We saw the impact Cooper Kupp had on this contest tonight against the same defensive philosophy that stymied the Rams in the Super Bowl. It does make one wonder what would the outcome of been if he had participated in last years Super Bowl. However I think I already know that answer.
Some may feel Kupp is the only offensive talent who deserves a game ball tonight however I am also giving one to Cooks. Kupp is an amazing route runner who certainly creates his own separation, however his task to do so tonight was aided by the double attention Cook seemed to draw all night long. Cook was very productive in this contest as well despite the extra attention.
4.) While Goff did have a better outing than the last time he faced this defensive alignment it is quite clear the learning curve is not yet complete. The largest issue was the untimeliness of the mistakes he did make tonight, all at critical junctures of the contest.
Does anyone know if McVay or Goff fielded post game comments about the timeout called on the sidelines on the play Goff audibled and hit Reynolds for a first down? It was one of Goff’s better throws of the night. Despite the play not being recorded in the game log due to the timeout occurring before the snap this play was a very positive sign of Goff’s growth in deciphering the opposing defense.
Despite the interceptions, Goff had a gutsy performance tonight. The Dawg Pound is one tough venue and the Browns defense is loaded with big hitters. How can one not be impressed with the plays when Jared used his legs tonight?
5.) The Rams are 3 and 0 and have not yet played their best football. The defense gelling much quicker than last season is a very, very good sign. I would like to see McVay begin leaning heavier on the running backs behind Gurley but outside of stating that I simply will not join those who are bashing a 3 and 0 start. I hope those that choose to do so are taking into account the differences in last seasons schedule and the one Rams are playing this season. Have the Rams yet played their best football, no. Are the Rams 3 and 0, hell yes they are.
znModerator
September 23, 2019 at 12:09 am in reply to: highlights, Browns game … + some Waldman & others #105517znModeratorCooper Kupp's route running 👀👀 @CooperKupp pic.twitter.com/odb6sWDCOA
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 23, 2019
¡Otra conexión entre @JaredGoff16 y @CooperKupp! pic.twitter.com/GsPoT1vUvk
— Rams en Español (@VamosRams) September 23, 2019
September 23, 2019 at 12:04 am in reply to: highlights, Browns game … + some Waldman & others #105515znModeratorRams pulled out a crazy double reverse 😮 pic.twitter.com/sdoEg7PDsN
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 23, 2019
znModeratorRams offense has work to do despite road victory, 3-0 start
Lindsey Thiry
CLEVELAND — The Los Angeles Rams spent the offseason adjusting their offense and adding new wrinkles after the high-scoring unit was brought to a screeching halt by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.
On Sunday night, they escaped Cleveland with a 20-13 victory over the Browns inside a raucous FirstEnergy Stadium to improve to 3-0. But it is apparent that the 2019 edition of coach Sean McVay’s offense has plenty of work to do to earn a return trip to the Super Bowl.
Defensive win: The Rams defense, for a third straight game, did all it could to slow explosive playmakers in quarterback Baker Mayfield, receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry and running back Nick Chubb. The pass rush kept Mayfield off balance and he was sacked three times.
QB breakdown: For a third consecutive game, Jared Goff was unable to develop a rhythm and establish connections with his receivers in the first half. In several instances, passes were thrown behind or out of reach of his targets. In the second quarter, Goff was stripped and the Browns converted the takeaway into a field goal. In the third quarter, Goff threw a pass that was intercepted by Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie. And in the fourth quarter, Goff was intercepted by Juston Burris. He completed 24 of 38 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Troubling Trend, Part I: For a third consecutive game, the Rams did not score a touchdown in the first quarter and for a second time this season, they did not score a touchdown in the first half. Last season, they failed to score a first-half touchdown in only one regular-season game. The offense also had a slow start during a Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers, as they were held scoreless in the first quarter. Last week in a victory over the New Orleans Saints, they were held to a field goal in the first quarter.
Troubling Trend, Part II: The offensive line. The unit underwent a significant offseason makeover when left guard Rodger Saffold departed in free agency and the team declined the option on center John Sullivan’s contract. On Sunday, with right guard Austin Blythe sidelined because of an ankle sprain, the Rams had three first-year starters on the interior of their line with left guard Joe Noteboom, center Brian Allen and right guard Jamil Demby. The run-game suffered as five players rushed for a combined 91 yards and Goff was under duress throughout the game.
znModeratorLindsey 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 @RamsGeoff 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
September 22, 2019 at 11:35 pm in reply to: highlights, Browns game … + some Waldman & others #105508znModerator🏊♂️🏊♂️🏊♂️ pic.twitter.com/ecz40lnAJB
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 23, 2019
September 22, 2019 at 7:59 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105503znModeratordaniel jones had himself a day. wow. with barkley leaving the game halfway through?
Giants got a lot of crap thrown their way for drafting him too.
Big vindication.
September 22, 2019 at 7:27 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105501znModeratorField Yates@FieldYates
In his first career start, Daniel Jones throws for over 300 yards, accounts for 4 touchdowns, does not turn the ball over and….Leads the Giants to their largest come-from-behind win in 49 YEARS!
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Daniel Jones is the first rookie QB in our database to have a game with 300+ passing yards, 2+ passing TDs, and 2+ rushing TDs https://t.co/Hu2Lu3gsIu #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/20O5ZQm93n
— ProFootballReference (@pfref) September 22, 2019
September 22, 2019 at 7:26 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105500znModeratorRoss Tucker@RossTuckerNFL
Steelers forced 5 turnovers & had two long TD passes and still lost.That’s hard to do.
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
#Browns entire starting secondary is out tonight against the #Rams.znModeratorSeptember 22, 2019 at 6:26 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105494znModeratorSeptember 22, 2019 at 6:07 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105492znModeratorAlvin Kamara is absolutely untouchable 🔀 🙌
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/ZCv7qvziXX
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2019
znModeratorMy cousins coworker is at the hotel in Cleveland (Rams fan). His wife went to get on the elevator and this is what she saw. LMAO! Do work tonight fellaz! @RamsNFL @AaronDonald97 @SJD_51 @brandincooks pic.twitter.com/HJRZuMZUMH
— Chris S. (@Bettysgrandson) September 22, 2019
September 22, 2019 at 5:30 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105490znModeratorMoments ago, Giants RB Saquon Barkley was helped off the field to the locker room. He is Questionable to return. pic.twitter.com/GROQhQLZDc
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2019
September 22, 2019 at 5:29 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105489znModeratorSaints scored twice (one a return, once on defense), and lead Seattle 14-7. 6 to go in the 3rd.
znModeratorDave Dameshek@Dameshek
I feel an offense that’s “not built to come from behind” is ultimately a bad offense.Sam Farmer@LATimesfarmer
It’s early, but it feels like there’s a bigger gap this season between the NFL’s haves and have nots.Seth Walder@SethWalder
The Rams have run zone coverage a league-high 79% of the time this season, which could be a bad sign for Baker Mayfield.Mayfield has averaged 10.1 yards per dropback against man coverage but just 4.8 against zone, per ESPN pass coverage metrics powered by NFL Next Gen Stats.
znModeratorSenior VP of Officiating Al Riveron had a conference call with NFL referrees on Saturday and told them to de-emphasize holding calls, per @MikePereira.
“If the hands get outside, give the blockers a chance to work their hands back inside.”
Holding calls are up 64% this season.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2019
September 22, 2019 at 1:32 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105470znModeratorEagles fans watching Carson Wentz run… pic.twitter.com/7M8AfZGMRr
— Golic and Wingo (@GolicAndWingo) September 22, 2019
September 22, 2019 at 1:30 pm in reply to: interested in any other games today? … + gameday tweets from around the NFL #105469znModeratorLamar Jackson is a master at making something out of nothing @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/mhGgeWsCmU
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 22, 2019
znModeratorRams24/7@Rams24_7
Bitonio & Tretter are the only quality OL for them imo.-AD gets his first 2 sacks of 2019
-Goff goes 300+ & 3 TDs
-Todd 100+ rushing
-Defense w/2 picks & 4+ sacksJ.B. Long@JB_Long
Going into today, the NFC is 6-2 against the AFC, with the only losses belonging to 0-2 NYG (vs BUF) and 0-1-1 ARI (at BAL).Meantime, Sean McVay is 8-0 in the regular season against the AFC (swept the South in 2017; the West in 2018).
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