SNF LA Rams At Cleveland Browns: All You Need To Know
Game information:
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
When: Sunday, September 22
Time/Channel: 8:20 PM ET / NBC
Weather: Night: 71 F
Spread: Browns +3
Total: 49.5
Moneyline: Rams -165, Browns +145
Rams @ Browns (+3), 8:20 PM ET:
The Los Angeles Rams improved to 2-0 on the season after a convincing 27-9 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp was quarterback Jared Goff’s go-to option catching five of his nine targets for 120 yards and would’ve added a touchdown to his stat line but was tackled one yard short of the goal line on a 66-yard reception.
The most encouraging take away for Los Angeles was the performance of running back Todd Gurley. He looked healthy and ran the ball well, rushing for 63 yards on 16 carries and his first touchdown of the year.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns (1-1) picked up their first win of the season on Monday night against the woeful New York Jets 23-3.
Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had an electric return to his old stomping ground, the MetLife Stadium. Beckham Jr. had six receptions on 10 targets for 161 yards, including a career-long 89-yard touchdown.
Running back Nick Chubb had a productive day on the ground carrying the ball 18 times for 62 yards and one touchdown, adding four receptions for 36 yards.
Rams Fantasy Star
Cooper Kupp, WR
All three of the Rams’ wide receivers are fantasy studs in my opinion, but in this matchup I expect to see a lot of Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods in particular.
As I mentioned above, Kupp had a huge game last week but he also had a solid outing in Week 1 catching seven of his 10 targets for 46 yards against the Panthers.
Woods, on the other hand, had an extremely quiet day last Sunday with only two receptions on two targets for 33 yards. Although I wouldn’t buy too much into those results because if you look back to Week 1, Woods had a huge day catching eight passes on 13 targets for 70 yards.
Browns Fantasy Star
Baker Mayfield, QB
Selecting a quarterback might be an obvious choice but in terms of fantasy, Baker Mayfield has underperformed through the first two games.
Mayfield has posted fantasy totals of 9.4 and 15 points in the first two games this season with his biggest issue being four interceptions thrown to just two touchdowns.
Despite his struggles, one thing working in Mayfield’s favor is his favorite target - Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham Jr. is one of the top playmakers in the league and a set-and-forget player in fantasy each week. In just two games with his new quarterback, Beckham has been targeted 21 times for 13 receptions, 232 yards, and one touchdown.
Mayfield is due for a breakout game and should be able to get things going in primetime by getting Beckham Jr. the ball and extending plays by using his legs.
Another choice on this team would be running back Nick Chubb. However, I anticipate the second-year back to struggle against a tough Los Angeles defense lead by two-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald. The Rams are ranked ninth in the NFL allowing 92.0 rushing yards per game.