It wasn't pretty on either side, but the Los Angeles Rams still came out with the 20-13 win over the Cleveland Browns on the road to improve to 3-0 on the year.
PFF's ReFocused series features immediate takeaways from the two analysts who graded the game live. The two offer a detailed breakdown of the game's most notable performances before the grades and advanced stats are reviewed and finalized by Senior Analysts.
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Final Score
Los Angeles Rams 20, Cleveland Browns 13
Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff had a mixed game, throwing two interceptions, the second with 2:46 left in the game and allowed the Browns to drive down and have a chance to tie up the game. Goff rarely pushed the ball downfield and struggled to create enough big plays through the air to put the Browns away earlier in the game.
Cooper Kupp was the main target man, as the Browns played with two deep safeties for the majority of the game and allowed the Rams slot receiver to take advantage in the middle of the field. He finished the game with 11 catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Aaron Donald registered his first sack of the season but also racked up more than half a dozen pressures to go along with that. Donald was also a force in run defense, as he continually penetrated upfield and disrupted cut lanes on the Browns' outside zone plays.
Rookie Takeaways
Rookie safety Taylor Rapp had a rough evening, as he struggled in his run fits and was blocked at the second level quite often. In coverage, he struggled in his assignments, allowed multiple catches to be converted into a first down and was responsible for coverage on the Browns' lone touchdown. He completely redeemed himself, however, when he broke up a pass at the back of the end zone on the Browns' final drive, preventing a touchdown.
Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett was a thorn in the Rams' offense that they could not find a way to slow down. Garrett's biggest play came at the end of the second half where he managed to get a hand on the ball as Goff was going to throw the ball to force a fumble that was recovered and put the Browns in scoring position.
Baker Mayfield came into the season with sky-high expectations after a sensational rookie season and three years of excellent college grading. While Mayfield can make all the throws and shows his pinpoint accuracy at times, he's been wildly inconsistent thus far in his second season. Baker continually scrambled out of clean pockets against the Rams and into pressure throughout the night. Coming into the game, Mayfield had taken himself out of rhythm more than any QB in the NFL, and one can only assume that figure will still rank near the top of the league after reviews.
A big question heading into the game was how the Browns' offensive line would be able to handle reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. While Mayfield gave Donald quite a few opportunities by scrambling into Donald or hanging deep in the pocket, Donald still terrorized the interior offensive line, most notably right guard Eric Kush. Donald did get the better of center JC Tretter and left guard Joel Bitonio a couple of times, but they played admirably well.
Rookie Takeaways
Mack Wilson earned some positive marks in the run game and should finish reviews with a solid overall grade. He recorded multiple defensive stops and zero missed tackles on first review.
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