Browns vs. Rams preview: 3 things to know about Cleveland’s next opponent

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns started their two-game trip out West on a sour note with a 29-12 loss in Denver to the Broncos on Sunday. They will stay out West for the next week before taking on the Rams in Los Angeles in Week 13.

The Rams have rattled off back-to-back wins, including a 37-14 win in Arizona vs. the Cardinals on Sunday. They are now 5-6 and still in the mix for a wild card spot despite a three-game losing streak in early November.

This will be the Browns first game vs. the Rams since Week 3 of 2019, when the Browns lost at home in prime time, 20-13.

Here are three things to know about the Rams before they meet in Week 13.

The Rams made a big gamble when they traded for Matthew Stafford prior to the 2021 season. It paid off with a Super Bowl, but he was not himself in 2022 as injuries ended his year early.

He had four TD passes vs. the Cardinals on Sunday, but he threw his ninth pick of the season. He’s now thrown interceptions in four consecutive games.

So there is plenty of good and bad to Stafford’s game. He has the ability to put up big numbers like he has done throughout his career. But he has been prone to the turnover quite a bit this year.

Kyren Williams jumps into the end zone then jumps into stands to celebrate with the Rams fans

: #LARvsAZ on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UxxKvm5ByK

— NFL November 26, 2023

If you look at the top skill players for the Rams in the Super Bowl two years ago vs. the Bengals compared to what they had on Sunday in Arizona, it’s night and day different with the exception of Cooper Kupp.

Without early picks, the Rams have tried to rebuild the skill positions on the fly and have done a solid job.

Add in the speedy Tutu Atwell, who had a team-high 76 receiving yards in Arizona, and the Rams have some interesting young pieces to be wary of on offense.

Even though there were questions about whether Aaron Donald would retire in the last two offseasons, the 32-year-old continues to play at an elite level.

Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, came into Sunday leading the Rams with 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Pro Football Focus is still a big fan of Donald as he had an 89.9 player grade heading into Week 12.

Donald is a true unicorn in that hardly anyone in the NFL has affected the game from the defensive tackle position the way he has throughout his whole career. Unlike most games, the Browns interior offensive line will be the one probably most under fire from the opposing pass rush.