The Los Angeles Rams are rolling as they’ve won their past three games and are firmly in the hunt for the final Wild Card spot in the 2023 NFL Playoffs.
The Rams beat the Cleveland Browns 36-19 in Week 13 to improve their record to 6-6, leaving them tied with the Green Bay Packers, who own the tiebreaker by virtue of their Week 9 win. However, Los Angeles has to be happy with where they’re at considering not many people gave them a chance to threaten a postseason appearance.
Los Angeles and Cleveland were embroiled in a close game throughout the entire afternoon, with the latter threatening a comeback in the fourth quarter. However, the Rams were able to recapture the momentum after John Johnson III picked off Joe Flacco on a deep pass. Johnson returned the interception for 42 yards which set up a Cooper Kupp touchdown.
Johnson’s tenure with Cleveland ended when he was waived this past offseason and he relished in beating his old team, via his personal X account:
That get-back a mf !!!!
— John Johnson III (@iamjohnthethird) December 4, 2023
Players are usually more motivated playing their former teams and it seems that Johnson was itching to get some payback against a Cleveland organization that decided they no longer needed his services. The safety’s two seasons with the Browns weren’t bad by any means, but he admitted that he didn’t play up to his standards.
However, his release was the Rams’ blessing as they needed more safety depth after they let Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott walk in free agency. Although Los Angeles has intriguing young safeties in Russ Yeast and Quentin Lake next to Jordan Fuller, Johnson gives the defense a proven player who’s familiar with the system.
All in all, Johnson must’ve enjoyed this victory a little more than the others considering how his time in Cleveland unfolded. The Rams are certainly happy to have Johnson back, though they’ll need another strong outing from him if they hope to beat the Baltimore Ravens on the road in Week 14.
LeBron James congratulates Puka Nacua for breaking Rams rookie receiving record
It wasn’t just a big day for Johnson because Puka Nacua continued to make history in Los Angeles. Nacua crossed the 1,000 yard threshold and broke the Rams record for most receiving yards by a rookie.
LeBron James was in attendance at SoFi Stadium and later congratulated Nacua on the accomplishment.
