It is funny how we talk about "rivalries" in the NFL. Usually, we think of teams in the same division bashing each other's brains out twice a year. But honestly? Some of the weirdest, most significant history in pro football belongs to the LA Rams vs Cleveland Browns matchup.
Most fans today see this as just another inter-conference game every four years. They couldn't be more wrong. This isn't just a random cross-country flight for a 1:00 PM kickoff.
The Rams actually started in Cleveland. Yeah, you heard that right. Before they were the Greatest Show on Turf or the SoFi residents, they were the 1945 Cleveland Rams, winning a title in the freezing Ohio snow and then moving to California literally a month later.
The Modern Reality: Where They Stand Now
Fast forward to January 2026. The landscape looks a bit different. We just wrapped up a 2025 season where these two teams lived on opposite ends of the success spectrum.
The Rams? They’ve been humming. Under Matthew Stafford—who somehow looks younger at 37 than he did at 30—the LA Rams finished the 2025 regular season with a crisp 12-5 record. Stafford actually led the league in passing yards this year with 4,707. That’s absurd for a guy whose elbow was supposedly "done" three years ago.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns have been stuck in a sort of roster purgatory. They finished 2025 at 5-12. If you're a Browns fan, you've probably spent more time looking at orthopedic reports than touchdown highlights. Deshaun Watson’s tenure has been, well, let's just say "complicated" is an understatement. After re-rupturing his Achilles in early 2025, his future is a massive question mark.
But when these two actually meet? Throw the records out. Seriously.
That Weird Preseason Finale
We have to talk about the last time they shared a field, even if it was "just" preseason. On August 23, 2025, the Browns beat the Rams 19-17.
Now, casual bettors usually ignore preseason. Mistake. That game was a showcase of the Browns' defensive depth, which, despite their poor 2025 record, actually ranked 2nd in the league for yards allowed per game. They had four sacks and nine QB hits against the Rams' depth chart.
Andre Szmyt nailed a 37-yard field goal as time expired. It felt like a playoff win for a Cleveland crowd that desperately needed something to cheer for. It also gave us a glimpse of Dillon Gabriel, the Oregon product who looked way more comfortable in Kevin Stefanski’s system than a lot of people expected.
History Lessons: The 1950 Championship
If you really want to understand why LA Rams vs Cleveland Browns matters, you have to go back to 1950.
This was the first "true" NFL championship for the Browns after they jumped over from the AAFC. It was a heavyweight fight. Otto Graham vs. Norm Van Brocklin. The Browns won 30-28 on a last-second field goal by Lou Groza.
The Rams' pass-heavy offense was decades ahead of its time back then. They were scoring 70 points on people. But Cleveland’s 5-3-3 defense—a total relic now—managed to hold just enough.
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The all-time regular-season record between these two is actually 13-9 in favor of the Rams. However, if you include those ancient postseason battles, it gets a lot tighter.
What the Numbers Actually Say
Look at the 2025 stats for a second. It reveals the fundamental gap between these organizations right now.
- Passing Offense: The Rams were elite, averaging over 300 yards per game in the playoffs.
- Defensive Pressure: Cleveland's defensive line, led by Myles Garrett (who is still a terrifying human being), maintained a top-tier pressure rate even as the offense struggled.
- The Nacua Factor: Puka Nacua isn't a fluke. In the 2025 playoffs, he was still putting up 24+ fantasy points per game. The Browns’ secondary is good, but Puka is basically a cheat code at this point.
Honestly, the "identity" of both teams is shifting. Sean McVay has turned the Rams into this resilient machine that reloads instead of rebuilding. Cleveland, on the other hand, is currently trying to figure out if they should hand the keys to Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel for the 2026 season while Watson heals.
Breaking Down the Matchup Myths
People keep saying the Browns' "window" is closed. I don't buy it. Their defense is too talented for that window to be shut completely. When they played the Rams in 2023, the score was 36-19 for LA, but that game was a 1-point affair heading into the 4th quarter.
The Rams' biggest weakness? It’s still that offensive line depth. When Cleveland’s front four gets rolling, they can make Matthew Stafford look every bit of 37 years old.
Key Factors for the Next Meeting
- Stafford's Longevity: Can he keep up the 4,000-yard pace in 2026?
- The Cleveland QB Room: If the Browns start a rookie or a young guy like Gabriel, can they survive McVay's defensive disguises?
- Special Teams: Don't forget that 19-17 preseason game. Andre Szmyt and Joshua Karty are both becoming reliable weapons in a league where field goals are increasingly the difference-maker.
The Actionable Insight for Fans
If you're looking at LA Rams vs Cleveland Browns from a betting or fantasy perspective, stop looking at the "Power Rankings."
Instead, look at the Time of Possession. In their recent meetings, the team that controls the clock for more than 31 minutes has won 80% of the time. The Browns actually held the ball longer in their 2025 preseason win, and it wore the Rams' secondary down.
Also, watch the injury reports for the Rams' interior O-line. If they are missing a starting guard, the Browns' defensive interior will eat.
The Rams are currently the "better" team on paper, sitting at 12-5 vs. 5-12. But the history of this matchup is defined by the underdog causing chaos. Whether it's the 1950s or the 2020s, these two teams play games that are much closer—and much weirder—than the experts predict.
Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule releases. This matchup is rarely a blowout, and with the Browns likely hunting for a franchise-saving season, the intensity will be at an all-time high.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan:
Check the updated 2026 cap space for Cleveland; they have some massive decisions to make regarding Watson's contract that will directly affect their ability to keep that elite defense together. On the Rams' side, monitor Matthew Stafford's offseason "maintenance" program—his health is the only thing standing between LA and another Super Bowl run.