The Patriots are winners of five in a row, and after a sluggish first half, completely dominated the second half en route to a 32-13 pasting of Cleveland. This one was over long before the third quarter ended.
The Patriots, nearing the halfway mark of the season, are an impressive 6-2 and a game ahead of Buffalo, which routed Carolina 40-9 after its bye week.
Drake Maye had another very impressive performance. Facing a fearsome pass rush from Myles Garrett, the Browns sacked Maye six times, with Garrett notching five of them.
But he still sliced and diced the Browns’ secondary, completing 18-24 passes for 282 yards with three touchdowns and a pick. His passer rating was 135.7, and in the second half, it was a perfect 158.3. He knew when to take off and scramble and did it seven times for 50 yards.
After giving up an opening-drive touchdown (again), the Patriots’ defense held Cleveland to three first downs over the next seven drives, until garbage time, when the game was long decided.
Mike Vrabel has done a great job of preparing the team week in and week out.
So, as we always do, let’s break it down by position
Quarterback: A
Drake Maye is deserving of all the praise he’s getting both locally and nationally. He’s been incredible running Josh McDaniels’ offense, and the team is just starting to hit its peak. The Patriots are currently seventh in the league in scoring (26.8 points per game), and Mike Vrabel said after the game,” There is still meat on the bone.”
Maye, despite the pressure from Myles Garrett during the game, was still able to slice and dice the Browns’ secondary for 282 yards, completing 18 of 24 passes (11.8-yard average) for a stellar 135.8 passer rating. He added 50 yards rushing.
In the second half, Maye added a perfect passer rating of 158.3, going 8-8, 114 yards, three touchdowns, and 34 additional yards on the ground.
“[McDaniels is] just dialing it up multiple times and getting guys open and really making it easy for me. He’s done it his whole life, and I feel like he was put on this earth to be an offensive coordinator. It was fun to be in the headset with him,” Maye said.
Running Backs: B+
TreVeyon Henderson’s snaps and usage were increased, but not by a ton. Henderson only played 14 snaps on offense on Sunday and two on STs (two kickoff returns). But Josh McDaniels has said that the team needed to get him more involved, and they did against the Browns.
Henderson rushed for 75 yards on just 10 carries (7.5-yard average), and he showed the burst and acceleration that we’ve been expecting to see. He displayed excellent vision on the 28-yard crack toss in the second half. With FB/TE Jack Westover leading the way, he read the Browns’ defense flow and cut back to the inside, instantly getting deep in the second level, breaking a tackle, and adding another dozen yards—great stuff from the rookie.
His fumble at the Cleveland two-yard line at the end of the game was unfortunate, putting a damper on a fine day. Rhamondre Stevenson added 34 yards on 14 carries and a 15-yard reception.
Wide Receivers: A
Mack Hollins was targeted seven times and led all receivers with seven catches and 89 yards. He was the recipient of a 21-yard hole shot by Maye and two 19-yard crossers as well. He’s also very much involved in the running game as a blocker. He’s been exactly as advertised when they signed him.
Kayshon Boutte had three catches for 75 yards, including another deep 39-yard touchdown where Maye dropped it in a bucket in a pass that traveled about 50 yards in the air. The pair is making this a regular occurrence.
Pop Douglas had just one catch but it went for 44 yards, and added a 8-yard jet sweep in the running game.
Stefon Diggs had just three catches for 14 yards, but one was for a touchdown and judging from his teammates’ reactions, it tells you all you need to know about how this team feels about him and each other.
Tight Ends: B+
The Patriots’ tight ends had arguably their best game as blockers in the running game this week, especially Hunter Henry who stood out with some very good blocks. Henry added a catch for seven yards but it was a beautifully schemed touchdown that was too easy.
Austin Hooper had two catches for 38 yards including a nice 31-yard seam route, that the coaches need to revisit more. Jack Westover added some key blocks in the running game.
Offensive Line: C
It is hard to get a good grade on an offensive line that gave up six sacks and yet was there for the team that generated 459 yards of offense. Myles Garrett is a beast to block and he is arguably without peer in the league among edge rushers.
But overall Cleveland’s defense was gashed harder than they have been all season. Despite the Browns’ inadequacies on offense, their defense entered the week #1 in several categories.
They allowed the most first downs (23) all season along with rushing yards (177), yards per pass attempt (8.2), explosive plays (seven, two others just missed at 19 yards), Maye in the second half had a perfect passer rating 158.3 and threw for 282 yards.
After rewatching the tape, Will Campbell’s day wasn’t nearly as bad as first thought. He made some adjustments and played better in the second half. Morgan Moses Jared Wilson also allowed sacks to Garrett.
Defensive Line: A
The defensive line was outstanding. The game plan was to take away Cleveland’s running game and specifically Quinshon Judkins. They held him to just 19 yards on nine carries. Cleveland had just 68 yards rushing overall, the Patriots became the first defense to go eight games without allowing a 50-plus yard rusher since 1950.
After being benched for the first quarter, Christian Barmore was very impressive and had five total pressures. He forced Dillon Gabriel into throwing the ball away from the end zone for a safety. Milton Williams had six pressures.
K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry both had strong games as well. Anfernee Jennings registered a sack. Khyiris Tonga was strong once again in the run-stuffing department.
Linebackers: A
The linebackers, particularly Robert Spillance were outstanding, with the veteran notching 14 tackles, an interception, two TFLs, and a pass defensed. The Browns running game was swallowed up and forced the game into Gabriel’s hands which is what the Patriots wanted.
Jahlani Tavai had a strong game in limited snaps, blowing up a screen and stuffing a run.
Secondary: A
The Patriots’ secondary allowed two catches (2) to wide receivers in this game, both by James Thrash. Christian Gonzalez blanketed Jerry Jeudy and held him to zero catches.
After an opening drive touchdown where they had a couple of busted coverages, Cleveland had three first downs over the next seven drives until garbage time when the game was long decided.
Marcus Jones continues his strong play (and was awarded a contract extension) with six tackles, a TFL and two passes defensed.
Jaylinn Hawkins returned and had an outstanding one-handed interception. Gabriel passed for 156 yards, 117 after the opening drive.
Special Teams: C-
The Patriots got another good game from Andy Borregales, who converted all three field goal attempts and three extra points. But the team was flagged three times, Bryce Barringer had a 61-yard punt, but then late in the game, had a shank of just 15 yards. Not the best day for the STs.
Coaches: A
Mike Vrabel had a great gameplan and after Cleveland’s first possession, they never seriously threatened to score until the game was essentially over. The defensive philosophy is so much different than what we were used to for so long. It is fun to watch.
Josh McDaniels pantsed Jim Schwartz in the second half, and that is rarely done. McDaniels opening drive of the third quarter was vintage McDaniels, where everything is working and he kept changing things up and keeping the defense off balance.
After a jet sweep netted eight yards, McDaniels gave the same look to the left but Maye found Henry all alone for an easy touchdown to the right side.
Browns’ week is done, the Patriots are 6-2 and face the Atlanta Falcons this week, and the question is which Atlanta team shows up, the one that dominated the Bills or the one who was blown out by the Dolphins?
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
The o-line is incrementally getting better as the season goes along. The offense seems to be at a point that if the opponent wants to put 8-9 in the box, they will get beat for big plays. In arrears in the last 2+ years, the team couldn’t block when opponents stacked the box in front of them and or blitzed. The pats o-line is just now starting to show signs of getting unified as a group, and in conjunction with the RBs in terms of running the rock. Not sure if McD’s went back to more power vs outside zone… Read more »