The Browns limp into Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The best and worst part about the NFL is that it stops for nothing.
It is starting to look like Joe Flacco is going to be the starter for the Browns on Sunday.
The last time that he threw an NFL pass was in Week 17 last season against the Miami Dolphins. In that game he went 18-for-33 for 149 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
The last really good game that he had, every Browns fan remembers. Flacco came into Cleveland and led one of the most improbable comebacks in the history of the NFL. In Week 4, he was 36-for-44 for 306 yards and four touchdowns. That day, he was elite.
Nov 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates after scoring during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY SportsWhatever he is on Sunday, he just needs to be clean. This Rams defense is average and the Browns need a clean game in the most desperate way.
From an injury perspective, signs are pointing to Amari Cooper being available on Sunday.
Outside of DTR who has yet to practice this week, the Browns are expecting to have the rest of their offense available, what’s left of it anyway.
Cleveland needs to attack this team on the ground. While I do believe that Joe Flacco has some gas left in the tank, he hasn’t played in over ten months and will definitely have some rust to work off.
This is going to be a big game for Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt to establish the run and shorten the game. From there, the quarterback needs to play a clean and efficient game.
The Rams come into Sunday sporting the No. 16 ranked defense in all of the NFL. They give up about 331 yards and 21.3 points per contest. Teams throw for 217 yards and rush for 113 yards against this defense.
In a much more recent sample size, on their current two-game win streak, they are giving up just 15 points per game and have really suffocated both the Seahawks and the Kyler Murray-led Cardinals.
The Browns need to be aware of Aaron Donald and Byron Young on this defense. Donald has a team-high five-and-a-half sacks while Young is just behind him with five.
On the backend, they do not take the ball away much but cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon leads the secondary with two interceptions.
As a team, they have only forced nine turnovers on the year. It is more critical than ever that the Browns do not turn the football over against the team. Their offense doesn’t need more possessions, they are playing well enough as is.
Cleveland’s emphasis needs to be establishing the run, winning the turnover battle, and putting the quarterback in safe and advantageous situations. If they can do these things, they will put themselves in position to win this must-win game.
