The Browns scored what looked to be the game-tying touchdown to Harrison Bryant, but Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point to tie it up.
After the Browns got the ball back, Joe Flacco threw a deep ball for an interception that ex-Brown John Johnson returned to the Browns 24-yard line. Five plays later, they put the game away with a touchdown and added nine more points to finish the victory.
When Cleveland gets outrushed, it usually means a loss. The Browns were outrushed by the 120 to 87.
Flacco played well and looked good in his first start if there was a positive. Flacco threw 23 for 44, 254 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The Browns missed opportunities as they had chances to win the game. Amari Cooper getting a concussion puts much pressure on the wide receivers. The defense needs to bounce back next week, big game against Jacksonville next week must win for Cleveland.
Matthew Stafford tossed three touchdown passes, and Puka Nacua achieved a notable milestone as the first Rams rookie wide receiver to surpass 1,000 yards in a season. Los Angeles secured a 36-19 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, extending their winning streak to three games.
This marks the Rams’ first three-game winning streak since their Super Bowl triumph in the 2021 season. With a 6-6 record, they’ve re-entered the playoff race after a three-game slump before their bye week.
Since his return from a thumb injury, which caused him to miss 1 1/2 games, Stafford has impressed with eight touchdown passes and only two interceptions in the Rams’ last three matchups.
Stafford, completing 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards, connected with Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, and Cooper Kupp for touchdowns. Nacua, briefly sidelined with a rib injury, totaled four receptions for 105 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown in the first quarter, along with two rushes for 34 yards.
Kyren Williams contributed with 21 carries for 88 yards, sealing the victory with a 1-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The defensive efforts were highlighted by Aaron Donald and rookie Kobie Turner combining for a sack on Joe Flacco, resulting in a safety with 36 seconds left on the clock.
Flacco, Cleveland’s fourth starting quarterback this season, threw for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in his Browns debut. Despite the loss, the Browns (7-5) remain in contention for the AFC playoffs.
The game’s turning point came with under seven minutes remaining when Flacco’s deep pass was intercepted by John Johnson III. The Rams safety, formerly with the Browns, returned it 42 yards, setting up Kupp’s decisive 3-yard touchdown pass, making it 27-19.
Cleveland initiated the scoring with Flacco finding Jerome Ford for a 24-yard touchdown on their opening drive. However, the Rams responded with consecutive scores, including Nacua’s impressive 49-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
The teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter, and the Rams maintained the lead with Demarcus Robinson’s 7-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.
Although Cleveland closed the gap with an 8-yard touchdown from Harrison Bryant, a missed extra point by Dustin Hopkins left the Browns trailing at 20-19. The Rams ultimately secured the win, capping a successful three-game streak.
Browns: WR Amari Cooper suffered a concussion during the second quarter and did not return. Thompson-Robinson, CB Denzel Ward (shoulder), and WR Marquise Goodwin (concussion) were inactive due to injuries.
Host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday.
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