FOXBORO – The Patriots handed a serious check whereas extending their successful streak to 5 video games.
They proved that one of many NFL’s best defenses isn’t any match for his or her offensive firepower.
The now 6-2 Patriots began sluggish, laboriously taking a 9-7 lead into halftime in opposition to the Browns. Then got here the offensive explosion within the second half with quarterback Drake Maye main the way in which – with some main assist from the protection – to a 32-13 win.
“I’m principally pleased with the totality of the group,” head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned after the sport. “I do know there’s a lot extra to enhance, however we acquired stops within the second half, and we scored touchdowns.”
The Patriots moved the ball successfully on the bottom of their first drive however stalled once they acquired contained in the 5-yard line, shedding yards on a Rhamondre Stevenson run and when Browns star defensive finish Myles Garrett beat tight finish Hunter Henry and rookie sort out Will Campbell for a 10-yard sack of quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots settled for a 36-yard subject objective from rookie kicker Andy Borregales to go forward 3-0.
Head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned earlier than the sport that he had senior defensive assistant Ben McAdoo, a former offensive coordinator and head coach, put collectively a gap script to check the Patriots protection to get them to begin sooner. It didn’t work. The Patriots rapidly allowed the Browns to take a 7-3 lead on a six-play, 70-yard drive that ended with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel discovering rookie tight finish Harold Fannin Jr. broad open popping out of the backfield for an 18-yard landing.
The Patriots’ protection pressured a fast punt, permitting only one first down, on the Browns’ subsequent drive. Their ensuing offensive collection was short-lived. Maye threw his first interception since Week 3 on a goal to broad receiver Stefon Diggs. Maye didn’t see rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger and threw instantly at him.
So far as turnovers go, that one was fairly inconsequential. The Browns managed simply 5 yards, then kicker Andre Szmyt missed a 49-yard subject objective.
Maye led the Patriots down the sphere on lengthy completions to tight finish Austin Hooper and broad receiver Mack Hollins earlier than the offense stalled and settled for a subject objective to chop the Browns’ result in 7-6.
After exchanging three punts, the Patriots acquired the ball for a two-minute drill on the finish of the half. They needed to accept a subject objective and a 9-7 lead after a false begin on tight finish Hunter Henry and Myles Garrett’s third sack of the sport eradicated any possibilities of moving into the top zone.
“We didn’t convert, however we had been in a position to transfer the ball down there into subject objective vary, and Andy and that operation was in a position to benefit from it and go into halftime with the lead,” Vrabel mentioned.
The Patriots’ protection began the second half sturdy, forcing a three-and-out. The offense matched that power with a seven-play, 77-yard drive that culminated with a 7-yard landing cross from Maye to Henry.
They prolonged their result in 23-7 after linebacker Robert Spillane picked off Gabriel to place the offense within the purple zone. Maye hit Stefon Diggs for the Professional Bowl receiver’s first landing in a Patriots uniform from 1 yard out.
The Patriots’ protection allowed a primary down for the primary time for the reason that second quarter, however on the following play, Gabriel threw a heave downfield that security Jaylinn Hawkins picked off, diving, with one hand.
Maye made the Browns pay on a five-play, 81-yard drive. On the final two performs, he ran for 28 yards then hit broad receiver Kayshon Boutte on a 39-yard deep landing to place the Patriots forward 30-7.
The sport went into rubbish time early. The Browns scored on an 11-yard landing cross from Gabriel to tight finish David Njoku over rookie security Craig Woodson with 9:24 left within the fourth quarter. The Browns acquired into the purple zone rapidly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt. The rating and failed two-point try made the rating 30-13 Patriots. The Patriots then recovered the Browns’ onside kick try.
The Patriots acquired contained in the purple zone earlier than Henderson fumbled on the objective line. Gabriel was penalized for intentional grounding inside his personal finish zone, giving the Patriots a security and 32-13 lead. The Browns then kicked onside after the protection and recovered.
BEST
CB Marcus Jones: Jones was everywhere in the subject on Sunday with two cross breakups and a sort out for loss within the first half. The captain has been one of many Patriots’ finest defenders this season.
RB TreVeyon Henderson: Let’s give it up for the rookie operating again, who confirmed off his explosive capability for the primary time all season with a 10-carry, 75-yard efficiency. It wasn’t good. Henderson misplaced a fumble on the objective line, however he performed higher than he had carried out all season.
S Jaylinn Hawkins: You make a one-handed interception, you wind up on the very best checklist.
LB Robert Spillane: Spillane additionally picked off Gabriel whereas added a team-leading 9 tackles and two tackles for loss.
QB Drake Maye: Sure, he threw an interception – his first since Week 3 – however he additionally went 18-of-24 for 282 yards with three landing passes and picked up an extra 53 yards on 4 speeding makes an attempt.
WORST
Particular groups: The Patriots had been charged with three penalties on particular groups. Brenden Schooler was flagged for a maintain, Marte Mapu was penalized for an unlawful formation and Richie Grant was known as for holding. The Browns additionally recovered an onside kick after a security.
P Bryce Baringer: A 15-yard punt and a touchback put Baringer on the worst checklist.
Cross safety: Maye was sacked six occasions, and sure, Garrett is a beast, however most groups restrict him to lower than 5 sacks per recreation. PFF charged LT Will Campbell with two sacks and tight finish Hunter Henry and LG Jared Wilson with one apiece throughout in-game charting.
WHAT WE LEARNED
• Henderson was a a lot greater a part of the offensive recreation plan in comparison with final week. He rewarded offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with two runs for 30 yards on the Patriots’ opening drive whereas main the group in speeding.
• The Patriots dared Gabriel to beat them on the primary play of the sport, going extraordinarily heavy with simply three defensive backs on the sphere. Right here was the beginning protection: OLB Harold Landry III, DT Milton Williams, DT Joshua Farmer, DT Khyiris Tonga, OLB/DE Ok’Lavon Chaisson, LB Robert Spillane, LB Christian Elliss, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Carlton Davis III and S Jaylinn Hawkins.
• The Patriots confirmed an entire lack of respect for Gabriel and the Browns’ passing recreation total. They offered out to cease the run till it was third-and-long and had been distinctive at limiting rookie operating again Quinshon Judkins.
• Defensive sort out Christian Barmore was a notable absence from the beginning protection. He didn’t take the sphere within the first quarter however was on the sphere for the Browns’ third drive, which started within the second quarter.
• With Efton Chism inactive, Henderson took over kick return duties.
• Cornerback Christian Gonzalez seemed like himself with a number of pressured incompletions.
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