Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams

This game is extremely important for two franchises whose 2023 season hasn’t quite worked out as hoped, but still have a shot at a playoff berth if they can finish the year strong.

The Browns are starting a fifth round rookie QB but are 7-4 thanks to the strength of their defense. They are currently the sixth seed in the AFC but will need to stack some wins to remain in the playoff picture in the more competitive conference.

The Rams are just 5-6 but are firmly in the hunt for an NFC Wild Card spot thanks to the weaker field in their conference. Looking ahead to the Rams’ final six games, they face three opponents with winning records and three opponents with losing records. They’ll likely need to go 4-2 in those games, and this matchup with Cleveland is the best opportunity to get a win against one of the teams with a record above .500. 

The Rams' offense got a major boost with Kyren Williams returning to the field in Week 12 and dropping 200+ scrimmage yards on the Cardinals' defense. They have a much tougher test this week against a Browns defense that is among the best in the league.

The Browns' real strength is their pass defense, so the Rams will likely look to lean on Williams some more as they try to grind out a victory in what will probably be a low-scoring contest.

It is tough to consider benching Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua, but if there ever was a matchup to do it, it would be this one against the Browns. They both rank as low-end WR2s in the Fantasy Life consensus ranks, so most fantasy managers probably won’t have a better option.

The X Factor that could change how we view this matchup is the health of Myles Garrett. The current favorite for DPOY, Garrett, has been an absolute force this season but suffered a shoulder injury in Week 12. If he ends up missing the game or is limited in a meaningful way, that could shift things in favor of the Rams' offense.

The Browns have yet to name a starting QB after Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion last week. The drumbeat seems to be building for Joe Flacco to get the start, but we’ll have to wait for clarification from the coaching staff.

The other notable injury for Cleveland is Amari Cooper, who also left last week early, but the most recent updates suggest he avoided serious injury. 

Unless we get the all-clear on Cooper, the only Browns really on the fantasy radar this week are Jerome Ford and David Njoku, who check in as the RB26 and TE10, respectively.