Cleveland Browns at Rams: Who has the edge?
What’s at stake, key matchup, TV info, fantasy sleeper, prediction and what the Rams need to do to win Sunday at SoFi Stadium
BROWNS (7-4) at RAMS (5-6)
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 226, 381
Line: Rams by 4
Notable injury designations
Browns: OUT: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder), WR Marquise Goodwin (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: C Nick Harris (knee)
Rams: OUT: S Quentin Lake (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: OLB Michael Hoecht (knee)
What’s at stake? A win over Cleveland would move the Rams into a tie with Seattle and Minnesota for a wild-card spot in the NFC playoff picture, putting the Rams’ postseason fate securely in their own hands across the final five weeks of the season. The Browns, meanwhile, are fighting to maintain their hold on a playoff spot over in the AFC and one-game lead over Indianapolis, Houston and Denver.
Who’s better? On most days, it’s the Browns. They have the more complete team, including a defense that has played for much of the season at a generational level. But, injuries have decimated Cleveland of late. With Thompson-Robinson Ward unable to play Sunday, the talent gap tightens significantly, even if it doesn’t close all the way.
Matchup to watch: Rams DT Aaron Donald vs. Browns LG Joel Bitonio. It’s a three-time Defensive Player of the Year vs. a two-time first-team All Pro. Donald will still likely face some double and triple teams, but his matchup with the former Long Beach Wilson star will be must-see TV for fans of line play.
Rams win if: They convert all their red-zone opportunities. They won’t come frequently against Cleveland, so the Rams can’t afford to come away with field goals or no points in those situations. … The defense limits RB Jerome Ford to less than 60 yards rushing and puts pressure on whoever plays quarterback for the Browns on Sunday.
Fantasy sleeper: Can RB Royce Freeman do it again? The Rams’ backup RB had his best performance of the season last week, riding a TD to a 13.70 finish in half-PPR formats. He’s finished with six or more points in four of the Rams’ last five games. Repeating his success against the Cleveland defense will be difficult, but as last week proved, he’ll still get his opportunities, even with Kyren Williams back off IR.
Prediction: Rams 20, Cleveland 10. Beat reporter’s record: 6-4 for the season; 5-5 against the spread.