St. Louis Rams Week 7 Q&A with Dawg Pound Daily

The St. Louis Rams Week 7 matchup with be a home game against the Cleveland Browns. The Rams, coming off the bye, are 2-3 and have had their fair share of struggles. But those two wins came against division opponents, so they find themselves sitting in third place in the NFC West. On the other side, the Browns are 2-4 coming off of an overtime loss where they took the undefeated Denver Broncos to the brink. Cleveland also finds themselves in third place of their division (AFC North) put their new found offense, averaging 27.6 PPG over the last three weeks, could vault them over the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome.

We are set for a 1pm ET kickoff, and to get things started were serving up a little Q&A session with out sister site, Dawg Pound Daily. In preparation, we asked Steven Kubitza over at DPD what he thought of Sunday’s matchup…

The Browns are 2-4 on the season, but outside of the season opener against the New York Jets, have been in every game. What makes them so dangerous after years of toiling in the basement of the AFC North?

"The Browns have consistently been great at being close in games and never being able to actually win. Even when they went 10-6 in 2007, they blew a Week 16 game against the Bengals in a game that would have clinched a playoff spot.The difference that year was a competent quarterback, which is the case this year. Josh McCown’s solid play has been keeping the Browns in games this year, while the running game has continued to be a liability. The same goes for the defense. If McCown’s play falters, the team will collapse."

There has been a lot of talk about Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley having himself another day against the NFL worst Browns rush defense. How will the team prepare for Gurley?

"To be honest, I am not sure if the Browns will have any answer for Gurley. They can scheme all they want, but the lack of an NFL-caliber run defense prevents schematics from helping much.The Browns allow an average of 149.8 rushing yards a game, which is eight more than the next closest team, the Miami Dolphins. Until they can actually stop a running back, which probably won’t happen this Sunday, writing about the Browns’ run defense actually stopping someone is more hypothetical than reality."

Oct 18, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) pumps his fist after a fourth quarter touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Josh McCown has been surprisingly effective through the early part of the season. However, his wide receiver corps doesn’t keep defensive coordinators up at night. Whats his secret to success and how do you stop him?

"Before last week, Josh McCown did a great job of minimizing mistakes. When the Browns offense is efficient, the small receiving corps do a great job of hauling in short passes and racking up yards after the catch with quickness and speed.The other thing keeping McCown’s passing numbers so high is the inclusion of rookie running back Duke Johnson in the passing game. He is third on the team in receptions and receiving yards, behind only Gary Barnidge and Travis Benjamin. With a lack of size amongst the receivers, Johnson’s inclusion has been the difference thus far."

Tight end Gary Barnidge has burst onto the scene with three consecutive weeks as a top passing target in the Cleveland offense. Where did he come from and why is he so successful all of a sudden?

"Barnidge came to the Browns in 2013 and was an afterthought on the roster until Josh McCown came to Cleveland. They have chemistry from time in Carolina, as announcers love to point out, but the connection comes from Barnidge being the tallest and most reliable receiver on the team.His success, as with the rest of the Browns offense, has to do with McCown being the quarterback. And the fact that he has one of the most reliable hands of any receiver to pass through Cleveland in a long time."

What is your final prediction for Sunday’s game?

"I have a problem with thinking the Browns will win most of the games they play. After the near win last week against the Denver Broncos, I will go with the Browns in this game against the Rams."

"Gurley will have a big day, but the offense of the Browns will do enough to help with the lack of a strong defensive performance. Browns 27-Rams 24"

You can check my answers to Rams’ questions at Dawg Pound Daily!