Rams cease Mayfield late, Goff throws 2 TDs passes in win

Backed as much as their very own purpose line, the Rams buckled down.

Security John Johnson III intercepted Baker Mayfield’s fourth-down go with 27 seconds left as Los Angeles escaped with a 20-13 win Sunday night time over the short-handed Cleveland Browns, who gave the defending NFC champions all they might deal with.

Cooper Kupp caught two landing passes from Jared Goff and the Rams (3-0) stopped Mayfield on 4 straight performs from the 4-yard line within the last minute.

The Rams (3-0) remained unbeaten — and ideal towards AFC groups within the common season beneath coach Sean McVay — by barely holding again the Browns (1-2), who had been lacking their total beginning secondary and nonetheless took the Rams to the ultimate snaps.

“Unbelievable,” McVay mentioned. “It was actually an awesome job by them. I simply thought to have the ability to regather themselves. 4 straight downs and preventing by means of it. They locked it down huge time. It was simply unimaginable.”

On the Browns’ last play, Mayfield, who was beneath strain a lot of the night time from Aaron Donald and Clay Matthews III, tried to power a go to the precise nook for Damion Ratley, however Johnson made the decide.

“It was a struggle for the ball,” Johnson mentioned. “He wished it, however I needed to have it.”

The Browns confirmed they’ll grasp with one of many NFL’s elite groups. Nevertheless, their star-studded offense stays out of sync, Cleveland had too many penalties and first-year coach Freddie Kitchens made a questionable choice on fourth down within the fourth quarter.

Kitchens additionally lamented not working the ball as soon as within the last sequence, which started with Cleveland having all three timeouts.

“I ought to have ran it one time,” he mentioned. “That’s the reason I’m kicking myself … . … In case you are seeking to blame any person, blame me. Don’t blame any of our gamers. Don’t blame any of our different coaches. Simply blame me as a result of I can take it. Simply blame me. Go write your article and say that I messed the sport up.

“Go write your article and say that it’s my fault that issues should not trying prefer it did final 12 months as a result of it’s.”

Kupp underwent surgical procedure on his left knee and missed the ultimate six video games final season, in addition to the Rams’ run to the Tremendous Bowl. However he is again, giving Goff an extra goal and McVay extra firepower to work with. McVay is 9-Zero towards the AFC, together with his solely loss coming towards the New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LII.

Kupp completed with a career-high 11 receptions for 102 yards, however credited Goff for the 2 scores.

“It principally was Jared having the ability to keep alive within the pocket and making some nice throws in tight home windows,” Kupp mentioned. “He has quite a lot of belief in me, being in the precise place on the proper time.”

Greg Zuerlein kicked two subject objectives for the Rams.

Mayfield threw one TD go — a 2-yarder to tight finish Demetrius Harris — however is not taking part in with the identical confidence he confirmed as a rookie. He completed 18 of 36 for 195 yards and was sacked 3 times, twice in a three-play span within the fourth by Donald (his first this season) and Matthews, who had two sacks.

Goff’s second TD go to Kupp gave the Rams a 17-13 lead with 12:48 left. After a false begin penalty moved the Rams again to the 6, Goff hit Kupp streaking throughout the tip zone just about uncovered.

The Browns marched to the Rams’ 40 and stalled. However as an alternative of punting on fourth-and-9, Kitchens went for it and Nick Chubb was stopped for simply 2 yards and the Rams took over.

“Dangerous name,” Kitchens mentioned.

Cleveland, although, caught a break when security Juston Burris intercepted Goff with 2:46 left. Mayfield accomplished a 27-yard go on third-and-15 and drove to the Rams’ 4, however he threw 4 straight incompletions because the comeback got here up quick.

The Browns got here in battered and bruised. They had been lacking eight starters, together with their total defensive secondary and it was such a determined state of affairs that Burris, who was claimed Friday off waivers from Oakland, began and performed all the sport.

“The protection performed out of their minds,” Mayfield mentioned.

Though they got here up quick, the Browns weren’t too discouraged after taking part in with the Rams.

“We matched up nicely towards them,” Mayfield mentioned. “I don’t suppose it’s like they’re that significantly better than us. I believe they’re an awesome crew, however we’ve to do our job. Whenever you take a look at all the pieces that occurred tonight, if we do our job, I believe we deal with enterprise.”

DOMINANT DONALD

Donald made 4 tackles, together with his first sack. He was additionally flagged for a private foul after hitting Mayfield on the pinnacle.

“I have been enhancing every week and that is what I like,” mentioned the two-time reigning AP Defensive Participant of the Yr, who was listed as questionable with a again damage, however mentioned it’s really a strained indirect.

“It is not my again, however I am good, actually,” he mentioned.

MATTHEWS HONORED

Clay Matthews, a gradual and fashionable linebacker for 16 seasons with the Browns, was inducted into the crew’s ring of honor at halftime. Matthews was a four-time Professional Bowler, performed in 278 video games and had 76.5 sacks. He is a semifinalist this 12 months for the third time to be enshrined into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.

His son, Clay, who’s in his first season with the Rams, emerged from the locker room on the finish of the ceremony and hugged his dad.

UP NEXT

Rams: host Tampa Bay subsequent Sunday. The Rams have gained the final 5 matchups between the groups.

Browns: go to Baltimore on Sunday. AFC North rivals break up their two video games final season.

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Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL