Game Preview: Two of NFL's most productive offenses collide on Sunday Night Football
2 HRS AGO - Five players to watch, what to watch for on offense and defense on both teams and three keys to Expand
2 HRS AGO - Five players to watch, what to watch for on offense and defense on both teams and three keys to victory for the Rams. Collapse
Week 3 Final Injury Report: Higbee ruled out for Sunday, Donald questionable
5 HRS AGO - The final injury report leading into Sunday night's game between the Rams and the Browns in Expand
5 HRS AGO - The final injury report leading into Sunday night's game between the Rams and the Browns in Cleveland. Collapse
How to Watch: Rams travel to Cleveland for first primetime game
9 HRS AGO - Here's how you can watch the Rams take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football.
A window of opportunity for Everett in Week 3?
10 HRS AGO - Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
No Higbee, no problem. Well, maybe. Maybe not... It came as a Expand
10 HRS AGO - Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
No Higbee, no problem. Well, maybe. Maybe not... It came as a surprise to many when, just prior to the Los Angeles Rams season opener, the team announced they were finalizing an extension with tight end Tyler Higbee that would pay him $31m over four years, locking him up through 2023. Perhaps it was the initial rumors that he’d be getting paid “Top 10” money (at the position) that were more startling.
To be fair, Higbee has been good, not great, since being drafted by the Rams in 2016. He’s made a few splash plays here and there, but certainly doesn’t put up gaudy numbers as a pass-catcher and has yet to eclipse 300 yards receiving in a single season since entering the league. That said, he’s proven to be a reliable contributor in the Rams’ offense, offers some versatility, and has a strong rapport with QB Jared Goff.
But, as Rams Head Coach Sean McVay put it on Wednesday, Higbee is a “very, very important piece” of their offense. Unfortunately, that Collapse
Browns CBs appear on 9/19 injury report
1 DAY AGO - Rams, Browns release second injury report ahead of the SNF matchup in Cleveland.
Rams-Saints: Game notes
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The tape has spoken. Now that I’ve had a chance to fully Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The tape has spoken. Now that I’ve had a chance to fully go through the all-22, I’d like to share a few tidbits that I took away from the Los Angeles Rams versus New Orleans Saints contest in week two. Let’s jump right into it:
Quarterback Jared Goff was hesitant in this game. Had a deep pass to wide receiver Robert Woods for a potential touchdown if he held the ball for another moment, missed an uncovering Woods on another occasion in favor of a one-yard checkdown, and missed a wide open Brandin Cooks in the middle of the field. There were a lot of yards left on the field, some were due to Goff locking on elsewhere, some due to a lack of protection forcing Goff to get rid of it
Right tackle Rob Havenstein struggled in this one. Edge Cameron Jordan was too much to handle on Sunday, and rightfully so
Center Brian Allen and right guard Austin Blythe (when he was in) ran a lot of double teams
Rookie safety Taylor Rapp was used in a variety of Collapse
Rams-Browns: Five Rams to watch
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
The Browns are looking at a problem that the Rams recently Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
The Browns are looking at a problem that the Rams recently overcame. We should keep a close eye on the Rams that inspired hope through the dark years not too long ago..... The Cleveland Browns remind me a lot of our Los Angeles Rams of the not too distant past. The Browns have been a trendy pick to break out of mediocrity into playoff relevance the past two seasons and are thirsty for that breakthrough win that could help them shake the stigma of being those Browns.
As a reminder of where the 2019 Rams originated, let’s focus on players the Rams current core of players that epitomized the hope that we felt a few years ago as we suffered through the 7-9 bullshit.
Jared Goff
This one feels a bit cheap as he has only played in Los Angeles, but he was nonetheless part of the hope that we felt at the end of the Jeff Fisher era. The Rams gave up a lot to move up and select Goff #1 overall, but it’s hard to argue against it in hindsight.
Goff has been Collapse
Injury Report 9/18: Aaron Donald, Malcolm Brown limited
1 DAY AGO - Rams release first injury report ahead of week 3 matchup at the Cleveland Browns.
Rams Pro Football Focus tidbits heading into Week 3
2 DAYS AGO - A look at some of Pro Football Focus' key Rams evaluations through the first two weeks of the Expand
2 DAYS AGO - A look at some of Pro Football Focus' key Rams evaluations through the first two weeks of the season. Collapse
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Rams-Browns: Q&A with Dawgs By Nature
4 HRS AGO - Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr.’s cleats during the Week 2 game against the New York Jets, Expand
4 HRS AGO - Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr.’s cleats during the Week 2 game against the New York Jets, Sep. 16, 2019. | Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Getting the inside info from Dawgs By Nature, the SB Nation community for Cleveland Browns fans. The Los Angeles Rams are on the road in Week 3 to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football. With all the offseason hype, the Browns are perhaps a bit of a disappointment through two games having been blown out by the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 and picking up their first W of the year against the New York Jets.
To get a better sense of the Browns, I linked up with Chris Pokorny from Dawgs By Nature, the SB Nation community for Browns fans.
So the two-game start hasn’t been what Browns fans perhaps were waiting for after the hype-up of the offseason, but this week’s FanPulse results had 81% of Browns fans feeling confident. Did the offseason have any effect on the first chapter of the 2019 season? Is this Collapse
Rams-Browns: Matchups to watch
6 HRS AGO - Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sunday Night Football is incoming. Expand
6 HRS AGO - Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sunday Night Football is incoming. Let’s rip through the matchups as all eyes are on them this week. The 2-0 Los Angeles Rams and the 1-1 Cleveland Browns are set to kickoff against each other on Sunday Night Football at the Dawg Pound in week three. The Rams have yet to put together a “full” game, though they once again look poised to go far and potentially back to the Super Bowl. The Browns started the year off in a rough manner as the Tennessee Titans blew them out, though they rebounded with a win against the New York Jets, who finished the game with two quarterbacks who’re better suited on the bench.
Let’s take a look at the matchups to watch as they’ll be the key to success for either team:
QB Jared Goff versus Browns secondary
Jared Goff has shown flashes of what made him one of the richest quarterbacks in NFL history, though he has yet to hit his peak production, matching what he was able to do in 2018. Goff has Collapse
Examining the productivity from the pass rush unit
9 HRS AGO - Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Are they getting the job done? Let’s find out. Evolving Expand
9 HRS AGO - Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Are they getting the job done? Let’s find out. Evolving from the 2018 season, the Los Angeles Rams entered 2019 with a completely different defensive line with high expectations. Defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, and edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. returned to the starting unit, though additions such as edge Clay Matthews were added to the unit in hopes of increasing the productivity alongside the leagues best player in Donald.
The nose tackle position transitioned from Ndamukong Suh to young players with almost no career NFL starts such as interior defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, and Tanzel Smart.
The unit as a whole changed up, from starters to backups, and thus far, the results have been interesting to note. We’re going to use NFL’s Next Gen Stats to help us view certain statistics that can help breakdown just how the defensive line is performing (deeper than sacks). Let’s get into it:
Week One
Carolina Collapse
Random Ramsdom, 9/20
15 HRS AGO - Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Another Friday edition of your favorite morning link dump! Expand
15 HRS AGO - Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Another Friday edition of your favorite morning link dump! Goff on quarterback injuries: “You Never Know” | Pro Football Talk
Injuries happen. Jared Goff is keenly aware that it could happen to him.
Browns preparing for ‘terrifying’ Rams special teams | Rams Wire
When even your special teams scares opponents, you know you’re team is legit.
Browns brace for prime-time test against Donald, champ Rams | Fox Sports
I bet Bake Mayfield is shaking in his cleats. I bet whoever is assigned to cover Cooper Kupp is fearing for his life after the reception and run that Kupp had last week.
Littleton, Hager went from outside chances to starting inside linebackers | OC Register
Cory Littleton just keep showing up week after week. When he’s not the one making plays, he’s making sure the other team can’t make any either.
Kupp and Gurley well-armed for stiff competition with tacklers | LA Times
HA! I see what they did there.
Donald shouldn’t beat himself up over Collapse
Rams-Browns: Intermediate injury report
1 DAY AGO - Los Angeles Rams RB Malcolm Brown carries the ball against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, Sep. Expand
1 DAY AGO - Los Angeles Rams RB Malcolm Brown carries the ball against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, Sep. 15, 2019. | Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Lots of attention to be paid to the injury report as we get ready for Sunday Night Football. The Los Angeles Rams are on the road in Week 3 to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football, and we’ve got serious concerns on both sides of the injury report.
Today’s intermediate injury report lays out the issues for the Rams:
Good news to see RB Malcolm Brown a full participant, though that means there’s lingering concern for DL Aaron Donald.
The bigger worries though are toward TE Tyler Higbee and RG Austin Blythe. Neither were able to go today so they’re all but certain to get a game designation tomorrow.
A reminder that a “questionable” designation simply means the team is “uncertain if player will play” while a “doubtful” designation means they are “unlikely to play.” If a player is ruled “out” in the injury report, he won’t Collapse
Fantasy football: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Onto week three we go, here’s your cheat sheet! Week three’s Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Onto week three we go, here’s your cheat sheet! Week three’s slate of NFL games is set to kick off tonight with the divisional rival Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Let’s take a look at the Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em columns this week:
Quarterback
Start ‘Em:
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott versus Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are 28th in yards per game allowed and dead last in yards per pass attempt allowed. To boot, Dak Prescott is playing incredible football right now, making him a natural start regardless of matchup. Ironically, the Cowboys get the worst team in football. The Cowboys will miss WR Michael Gallup in this one, though Devin Smith came off the bench and looked fantastic in week two replacing Gallup.
Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins versus Oakland Raiders
Kirk Cousins has been bad through two weeks in 2019. I believe this will be the week he finally snaps out of it and puts together a productive game as the Raiders are dead Collapse
Rams-Browns: Five Browns to watch
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
The next opponent for the LA Rams is a Cleveland Browns team filled Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
The next opponent for the LA Rams is a Cleveland Browns team filled with stars on the rise that have a lot of prove on Sunday Night Football. There used to be a time where the Cleveland Browns only had one dude a casual NFL fan could name: LT Joe Thomas. It was nearly impossible to remember what journeyman QB they were trotting out that week and the rest of the roster had dudes who wanted nowhere near your fantasy team.
Well, things have changed.
When the Los Angeles Rams travel to Cleveland to face the Browns on Sunday Night Football, they will be dealing with a slew of rising superstars that could end up being the biggest challenge in this very young season.
Here are the five Browns to watch:
DE Myles Garrett
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
When DE Aaron Donald went 14th in the NFL Draft, there was a knock on his size, specifically his height. At 6’1’’, Donald had out-of-this-world skills in a shorter frame. Obviously, Donald has Collapse
Jamil Demby makes most of Week 2 opportunity
1 DAY AGO - Second-year offensive lineman steps up after starting RG Austin Blythe goes down
Week 3 FanPulse results
2 DAYS AGO - Los Angeles Rams WR Robert Woods celebrates a catch during a Week 2 game against the New Orleans Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Los Angeles Rams WR Robert Woods celebrates a catch during a Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, Sep. 15, 2019. | Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Feelin’ good! Well, some of us. Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse — a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the offseason, we send 32 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Los Angeles Rams fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.
Another week of FanPulse results, another week of extreme confidence for Rams fans:
Sure, there’s a dip this week going from 96% to 92%, but that’s still top 6 as the Rams are 2-0 and coming off of a Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints.
As for Saints fans? The loss, both of the game and of QB Drew Brees to a thumb injury, means their confidence has cratered from 96% to 33%:
And really, that’s the biggest story this week from the aggregated results. The Cycle of the offseason is over and ran headfirst into football. Like every year, that means Collapse
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Week 3 injury report rules TE Tyler Higbee OUT
4 HRS AGO - Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee scores a touchdown during the Week 1 game against the Carolina Expand
4 HRS AGO - Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee scores a touchdown during the Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers, Sep. 8, 2019. | Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hygz is out for Week 3. Big opportunity for TE Gerald Everett... The Los Angeles Rams are on the road in Week 3 to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football, and they’re going to be doing so without TE Tyler Higbee:
So Higbee’s a no go. Not surprising given that he was literally coughing up blood following the injury on Sunday. DL Aaron Donald and RG Austin Blythe are both listed as questionable, though Rams Head Coach Sean McVay dismissed the idea of AD missing out. Blythe, however, will be a gametime decision.
Cleveland’s side is much, much longer:
Three starters are out in S Christian Kirksey, TE David Njoku and S Damarious Randall. Njoku was actually placed on IR not long ago. And wow, that’s a lot of players listed as questionable including key players like CB Greedy Williams, CB Denzel Collapse
NFL.com QB Index has Goff making big jump
9 HRS AGO - Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Did the System QB rise in the rankings because of his play Expand
9 HRS AGO - Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Did the System QB rise in the rankings because of his play or because of the crash and burn of other quarterbacks in the league? So far this season, NFL.com’s QB index has not been kind to Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff. This week’s ranking, however, paints a more optimistic judgment of Goff.
Of course, you have to scroll past the fawning praise of QB Patrick Mahomes II and QB Tom Brady, and even often injured QB Carson Wentz, but that’s the world we live in.
Well, the group of four experts on the QB index are in agreement that Goff is just outside the top ten, which is an improvement from his ranking of 17 last week. Was it more examples of his passing chemistry with WR Cooper Kupp? Was Goff’s deep ball to WR Brandin Cooks that impressed, or perhaps his laser pass that ended up as a touchdown for Cooks?
Another case for Goff’s rise is the departure of QB Ben Roethlisberger for the season and QB Drew Brees for at least 6 weeks. Collapse
Rams at Browns: TST staff picks for Week 3
10 HRS AGO - Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield enters the field in a Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans, Expand
10 HRS AGO - Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield enters the field in a Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans, Sep. 8, 2019. | Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Donald and Odell Beckham, Jr., on the same field. Yes please! The Los Angeles Rams (2-0) head east to take on the Cleveland Browns (1-1) on Sunday Night Football in Week 3. For many, many years there was absolutely no way this matchup would ever seen primetime. But the Rams are the reigning NFC Champions and a re-tooled Browns team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. An exciting night game between the Rams and Browns...who would’ve thought?!
Can the Rams move to a 3-0 start on the year and remain (in a tie) atop the NFC West? The Turf Show Times make their predictions...
gorams (@AndrewKulick)
Rams shake off their first half offensive sluggishness. Browns’ QB Mayfield gets big “it’s nice to meet you” from Aaron Donald, Dante Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews and Michael Brockers. Cleveland can’t handle the additional Collapse
Rams secondary prepared for Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry
22 HRS AGO - Browns receiving duo will have attention of Rams DBs Sunday night
Titans-Jaguars live thread
1 DAY AGO - Jacksonville Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew enters the stadium before a Week 2 game against the Expand
1 DAY AGO - Jacksonville Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew enters the stadium before a Week 2 game against the Houston Texans, Sep. 15, 2019. | Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
Let’s take it to the AFC South, fam. Well, this could sure as hell be interesting. The 1-1 Tennessee Titans on the road to take on the 0-2 Jacksonville Jaguars.
For the Titans, they’re looking to avoid a losing streak after following up their season-opening whooping of the Cleveland Browns with a disappointing two-point loss to the Indianapolis Colts. And really, they’re looking to breakthrough into double-digit wins under second-year Head Coach Mike Vrabel in a decision point year for QB Marcus Mariota. The Titans have won nine games four times since Jeff Fisher’s last season in Nashville in 2010, but they haven’t won more than nine and that has left them straddling the fence making the playoffs just once in those four nine-win seasons. Perhaps frustratingly, the last three years have made up three of those four nine-win Collapse
McVay on handling a player demanding a trade
1 DAY AGO - Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
A servant leader, Sean McVay knows how he’d address a player Expand
1 DAY AGO - Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
A servant leader, Sean McVay knows how he’d address a player requesting to be shipped off. It’s become prevalent at the beginning of the 2019 season that more and more NFL players are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to their situation, their happiness, and ultimately what city they’ll call home.
A couple of weeks ago, only hours after being destroyed by the Baltimore Ravens 59-10, it was reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that multiple Miami Dolphins players had contacted their agents and requested that they start working on a trade. The names weren’t immediately available, but we know now that Minkah Fitzpatrick - the No. 11 overall pick from the 2018 NFL draft - was one of them. He got what he wanted and was shipped off to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is currently doing it and it appears his days in Duval are numbered. Cowboys’ LB Taco Charlton, just days after taking to twitter Collapse
Random Ramsdom, 9/19
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The LA Rams finally have an injury Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The LA Rams finally have an injury report that has names on it, plus hype on the Sunday Night Football matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Rams week 3 injury report | Rams Wire
The Los Angeles Rams are finally get hit by some injuries, but hopefully nothing too major that threaten the season. DE Aaron Donald was limited in practice with an oblique injury and TE Tyler Higbee and OL Austin Blythe DNP. Worried about HYGZ.
Baker Mayfield discusses Rams during interview presser | Cleveland.com
An interview with QB Baker Mayfield is always a treat because you never really know what’s going to happen. He also gives a great answer about rushing his throws — “no.”
Los Angeles Rams’ pass defense off to another great start | Fox Sports
This is the content you want, right? With the Rams going up against WR Odell Beckham Jr., it makes sense that the spotlight has turned to the likes of CB Marcus Peters, CB Aqib Talib, and S John Johnson Collapse
Donald, Brown, Higbee, Blythe on Week 3 initial injury report
1 DAY AGO - Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee enters the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ahead of the Week 2 game Expand
1 DAY AGO - Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee enters the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ahead of the Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, Sep. 15, 2019. | Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Four Rams to track this week. The Los Angeles Rams are on the road in Week 3 to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football, but they’ve started the practice week off with a quartet on the initial injury report:
Definite concerns.
Both DL Aaron Donald and RB Malcolm Brown were partial participants, but the issue there is really how things develop over the next two days. Donald returned to the Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, so there’s reason to think his back/oblique injury isn’t too severe. We’ll just have to see about Mally.
The more long-term injuries were the ankle injury to RG Austin Blythe and the chest contusion that TE Tyler Higbee suffered that had him coughing up blood on Sunday. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay said today that both are “day-to-day” at this point.
The Collapse
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