Considering they were the first receiving duo in LSU history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a single season – and what they've accomplished since – Browns wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry form one of the most dangerous receiving tandems in the NFL.
Reunited for the first time since their college days, both pose the same threat in Cleveland and present challenges to opposing secondaries – challenges Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is keenly aware of.
"Both of those receivers, with the quarterback that can get them the ball, it's going to be problems for you," Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. "We got to realize that and play our techniques really well."
Both players entered the league in 2014, and despite diverging paths to the Browns, managed to quickly establish themselves as among the NFL's most skillful at their position.
Landry's 481 receptions from 2014-18 are the most all-time by an NFL player through their first five seasons. He's caught at least two passes in 79 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the NFL behind Antonio Brown's 115.
Beckham, meanwhile, is fourth in the league with an average of 6.6 receptions per game and third with 92.8 perceiving yards per game along with 44 receiving touchdowns. He's surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four of his first five seasons, missing in 2017 due to an ankle injury that limited him to four games.
Just last Monday night against the Jets, Beckham took a pass from QB Baker Mayfield in stride 89 yards for the touchdown. Beckham was lined up in the slot on that play, which means it is possible Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman could match up with him. Landry could also see time in that spot as well.
"You've got to understand that these guys are great players, and they're going to make great catches," Robey-Coleman said. "They're going to do something irregular things that we don't traditionally see in a regular receiver. So knowing that, it helps us be on top of the details a little bit more and fight for four quarters, because those type of guys, it only takes one play for them to go off."
"On top of that, don't try to let them get into an early rhythm. Keep them off rhythm."
Rams CB Aqib Talib was also asked about the play and how that would impact a cornerback defending a receiver.
"You can't change nothing," Talib said. "Just execute, man. Good technique, and executing."
The Los Angeles Rams practice ahead of this week's Sunday Night Football matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Running back (27) Darrell Henderson of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (56) Dante Fowler Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver's (17) Robert Woods and (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams speak to head coach Sean McVay during practice, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (24) Taylor Rapp of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (12) Brandin Cooks of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (54) Bryce Hager of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (83) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (48) Travin Howard of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (58) Cory Littleton of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (23) Nickell Robey-Coleman of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Center (55) Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (57) Natrez Patrick of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (23) Nickell Robey-Coleman of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (22) Marcus Peters of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tackle (70) Joseph Noteboom of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (88) Michael Thomas of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (48) Travin Howard of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (21) Aqib Talib of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (83) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (82) Johnny Mundt of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (24) Taylor Rapp of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (24) Taylor Rapp of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker's (56) Dante Fowler Jr., (50) Samson Ebukam, (52) Clay Matthews, (57) Natrez Patrick, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and Landis Durham of the Los Angeles Rams use during practice, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams coaches during practice, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (81) Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (91) Greg Gaines of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams practices, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebackers coach Joe Barry of the Los Angeles Rams coaches during practice, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
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Safety Eric Weddle is the Rams' primary defensive signal-caller and communicator and recognizes it is his job to be paying close attention to where Beckham and Landry are at all times. He also has first-hand experience with Beckham's game-breaking abilities.
Beckham had just two catches for 11 yards and fumbled on the Giants' first offensive play when they were facing Weddle and the Ravens in October 2016, only to finish with eight catches for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns.
Between him and Landry, Weddle – like Phillips – is well aware of the challenges they present and the importance of mini-zing their impact on a game.
"We're not going to overcook anything, but we understand those are amazing players," Weddle said. "We want to try to limit them as best as we can."
