Folks, get ready for a Saturday afternoon showdown that’s gonna light up Huntington Bank Field like a Cleveland tailgate! It’s the Los Angeles Rams takin’ on the Cleveland Browns, August 23, 2025, kickin’ off at 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Both teams are sittin’ pretty at 2-0, with the Rams comin’ off wins over Dallas and the Chargers, while the Browns have rolled past Carolina and Philly. This ain’t about the superstars – Matthew Stafford, Joe Flacco, and the big names are likely chillin’ on the sideline – it’s about those roster hopefuls, the bubble guys, fightin’ like it’s fourth-and-goal for a spot on that 53-man roster. Boom! That’s the heart of this preseason finale – raw hustle, big plays, and a few surprises that could shake up Week 1. Let’s break it down like we’re callin’ it from the booth, with that Troy Aikman precision and John Madden passion.
Rams’ Side: L.A.’s Depth Shinin’ Bright
The Rams are bringin’ that Sean McVay swagger to Cleveland, lookin’ to cap a perfect preseason. They kicked off with a 31-21 win over Dallas in Week 1, where the backups moved the ball with ease. Last week’s 23-22 thriller over the Chargers was a nail-biter – third-year QB Stetson Bennett IV bounced back from a late pick to hit Tru Edwards for a game-winnin’ TD. With Stafford nursin’ a minor back issue and likely restin’, it’s Bennett, Carson Wentz, and maybe Dresser Winn slingin’ it, battlin’ for the backup job.
What’s got me fired up is the skill position and linebacker battles. RB Cody Schrader’s been a camp standout, rushin’ for 45 yards against Dallas, and he’s pushin’ for a spot behind Kyren Williams. At receiver, Britain Covey and TE Davis Allen are scrappin’ for depth roles – Covey’s speed on special teams could be his ticket. Defensively, rookie ILBs Pooh Paul Jr. and Shaun Dolac have been tradin’ green dot reps, and a big tackle or blitz could lock in their roster spots. The Rams’ D has been solid, holdin’ opponents to 43 points across two games, with Brennan Jackson notchin’ two sacks last week. Injuries are light, but Alaric Jackson (ankle, questionable) and Terrance Ferguson (groin, questionable) mean more snaps for backups like Joe Noteboom. Special teams could swing it – rookie K Josh Karty’s been money, and a big return from Edwards might spark the road squad. After two close wins, L.A.’s lookin’ to keep that momentum rollin’ into their Week 1 clash with Houston.
Browns’ Side: Cleveland’s Home-Field Grit
The Browns are ridin’ high at home under Kevin Stefanski, lookin’ to stay unbeaten in the preseason. They kicked off with a 14-7 win over Carolina in Week 1, where rookie LB Carson Schwesinger was all over the field with six tackles. Last week’s 15-12 win over Philly saw rookie QB Dillon Gabriel go 8-for-9 early but throw a pick-six, while Kaden Davis led with 44 receivin’ yards. Flacco’s been named the Week 1 starter, but he’ll play limited snaps, leavin’ Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders (oblique, questionable), and Tyler Huntley to sort out the depth chart. Sanders and Gabriel are the ones to watch – a big play could shift the QB peckin’ order.
The battles are hot at receiver and linebacker. Isaiah Bond, a speedster signed after a legal issue cleared, is fightin’ with Davis and Jamari Thrash for a roster spot. Defensively, Schwesinger and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (seven tackles vs. Philly) are pushin’ to back up Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The Browns’ D is stout, allowin’ just 19 points in two games, with Isaiah McGuire addin’ a sack last week. No major injuries, but Sanders’ status could limit QB reps. Special teams is key – Andre Szmyt’s been perfect on field goals, and Corey Bojorquez averaged 49.3 yards per punt. With the Dawg Pound bringin’ energy, the Browns are hungry to go 3-0 and carry that vibe into their Week 1 trip to Minnesota.
Key Matchups and Game-Changing Factors
Boom! This game’s gonna be a war of depth. The Rams’ backup O-line versus Cleveland’s pass rush is huge – if McGuire or rookie Mike Hall Jr. get after Bennett, it could force turnovers. On the flip side, L.A.’s pass rush, led by Jackson, against Cleveland’s QBs – Gabriel’s gotta avoid that pick-six tendency, or the Rams’ secondary, with Josh Wallace and Charles Woods fightin’ for spots, could feast. The run game could decide it; if Schrader or Ali break loose, they’ll control the clock and limit the other side’s chances.
Weather in Cleveland looks like a warm, humid August day, with a slight chance of showers that could make the ball slick late. The Dawg Pound will bring noise, but the Rams are used to big stages. With cutdown day loomin’ on August 26, every snap’s a job interview – expect high effort but maybe some penalties from overeager rookies. A historical note: the Rams beat the Browns 33-14 in their last preseason meetin’ in 2014, but this is a new battle with backups in the spotlight. The Browns’ home energy and defensive depth give ‘em a slight edge, but L.A.’s offensive versatility keeps it close.
Final Prediction
Alright, straight from the gut: The Browns’ home-field juice and defensive sting pull ‘em through, but the Rams’ depth makes it a dogfight. I’m callin’ Cleveland to edge out a 20-17 win, coverin’ the spread with a late Szmyt field goal.
3 Best Bets
- Browns Moneyline (-135): Cleveland’s 2-0 with a stout defense and home-field advantage. They’re the safer bet to stay perfect.
- Under 37.5 Total Points (-110): Both teams lean on backups, and Cleveland’s D is lock-down. Expect a low-scorin’ grind.
- Browns -2.5 (-112): The Browns’ pass rush and home energy lead to a field-goal win, coverin’ the spread against L.A.’s reserves.
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