The Los Angeles Rams have gotten off to a ho-hum 2-0 start to their season, collecting wins over the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints as they look to make it back to the Super Bowl.
Now, they will get set to take on a Cleveland Browns team that has not exactly lived up to expectations early on.
The Browns are coming off of a Monday night win over the New York Jets, but given that the Jets were down to their third-string quarterback and were missing C.J. Mosley on defense, it wasn't that impressive.
They were also hammered by a score of 43-13 in their season opener against the Tennessee Titans.
So, here are four reasons why the Rams will beat the Browns in Cleveland this Sunday:
4. A Questionable Browns Run Defense
The Browns have been allowing 108 rushing yards per game, and while that isn't terrible, it certainly isn't good, either.
The Rams' rushing attack has gotten off to a great start, as Todd Gurley has looked spry and Malcolm Brown has done a very sound job as the backup running back.
With Cleveland only being so-so against the run, expect Los Angeles to try and establish Gurley and Brown right from the get-go, which would then, in turn, open up the passing game.
If the Rams can get going on the ground early, the Browns will be in a lot of trouble.
3. The Rams' Opportunistic Defense
The Rams are not known as a great defensive ballclub, but one thing they do well is generate turnovers.
Los Angeles totaled 30 takeaways last year, which ranked third in the NFL, and through two games this season, it has already tallied four takeaways, which is tied for second.
With Baker Mayfield having thrown four interceptions with his gunslinger mentality, look for the Rams to capitalize on any mistake the second-year quarterback makes.
The Titans picked Mayfield off three times in Week 1. You can bet LA is paying close attention to how Tennessee forced those turnovers in film sessions.
2. Los Angeles' Three-Pronged Receiver Attack
With Cooper Kupp back from his torn ACL, the Rams now have a deadly wide receiver trio that includes Kupp, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks, easily one of the best-receiving groups in the NFL.
The Browns have some nice pieces in the secondary, but the problem is, they also have some notable injuries.
Neither of their starting safeties, Damarious Randall or Morgan Burnett, practiced on Wednesday, and Randall did not even play against the Jets due to a concussion.
Yes, Cleveland still has a talented pair of young cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, but they can only cover one receiver at a time. There is a very good chance that one of the Rams' receivers gets loose for a huge game.
1. Difference in Continuity
The Browns may be talented, and they may have potential, but it's blatantly obvious that this team has not gelled yet.
They looked lost in Week 1, and while they beat the Jets by a score of 23-3 in Week 2, they didn't look all that terrific in doing so.
Meanwhile, the Rams have won two straight NFC West division titles and are coming off of a Super Bowl appearance. This team has been playing together for quite some time and knows how to win football games.
Plus, Los Angeles has a proven elite coach in Sean McVay, while the jury is still out on Freddie Kitchens.
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