Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots Preview and Prediction

The Pats are back at home after a three week road trip against Buffalo, New Orleans, and Tennessee. This week they face the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m. EST, Sunday October 26th, live on FOX / WFXT and on 98.5 FM The Sports Hub radio.

Last time out was a dominant 35-16 win for the Patriots at the then FirstEnergy Stadium, on October 16th, 2022. The last meeting between the two clubs in Foxborough was on the 14th of November, 2021, where New England also recorded a dominant 45-7 win. The sides have met 27 times all time, including one postseason matchup, and the Pats lead the series 14-13. The Patriots are 1-2 at home this season so it would be nice to continue to win streak and get to .500 at home.

Browns are the league's best defense in total yardage allowed, with 256 yards against after 7 games. They have the 3rd best passing defense and the 4th best defense against the run. However, they sit at 13th for points against with 21.7 average points conceded per game. They are 18th in the league for total TDs allowed with 17. This will be one of the better defensive units, the Pats have faced, and we will face challenges to move the ball, but there are weaknesses present and they do concede points so it is a welcome test for the New England offense.

The Pats are good at defense as well and they rank higher than Cleveland in every defensive category except for yards allowed. The Browns pose an offensive threat and put up 31 points last week, although that was against a pretty poor Miami team. Regardless, With Cleveland's ability to stop teams defensively, our own defense cannot allow them to rack up a score or else we could find ourselves in trouble. Players like Christian Gonzalez must remove Cleveland's top WR threat in Jerry Jeudy from the game. Our secondary is the weakest aspect of the defense so we need guys like Gonzalez to perform and we are desperate for safety help with Jaylinn Hawkins out and Craig Woodson questionable.  K’Lavon Chaisson had arguably his best game of the year against Tennessee, recording 2 sacks and recovering a fumble and returning it for a TD. That needs to become a more often than not level of productivity from the edge defender. Harold Landry and Milton Williams also recorded a sack each against Tennessee, those two have been excellent additions to the Pats front seven. Watch for those to have another great game. 

Drake Maye continues to impress as the Pats' QB. He ranks 8th in total yards, first in completion percentage, tied for 8th in TDs thrown, and is second in passer rating. He only has thrown 2 interceptions, only bettered by Jalen Hurts. This guy is the real deal. 

The running game has been very complimentary to the passing game in the last couple of weeks. RB Rhamondre Stevenson looks to have turned a corner, rushing for 88 yards in Tennessee. The biggest plus is the zero turnovers. He hasn't turned the ball over since week 5 at Buffalo. That has to continue. 

Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs have become the one-two punch for the Patriots. Diggs being Mr Dependable when it's needed on 3rd down and Boutte providing a consistent deep threat. Maye trusts them both. With Hunter Henry providing excellent production, those three are critical for the offense to hum.

I'm taking the Pats in this one 24-18. Go Pats!