Game preview: Patriots at Browns

The New England Patriots will travel to Cleveland for week 6 of the NFL season. The Patriots faced off with the Browns in a dominant game at Gillette last year. In that match-up, the Patriots beat the Browns 47-7.

Quick hits

• This game will mark the 27th meeting between the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns. The series is tied 13-13 between the teams.
• Bill Belichick was the Head Coach of the Browns from 1991-1995. Their most recent playoff win came in 1994 against the Patriots.
• There has been one playoff game between the two teams when Bill Belichick led Cleveland Browns, beating the New England Patriots 20-13 on New Year’s Day in 1995.
• The Patriots are 5-0 in games played at Gillette but 5-7 in games played in Cleveland.
• In the third round, the Browns starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, was drafted by New England in 2016. He played in three games before being traded to the Colts.
• Bill Belichick is one win away from tying Geroge Halas’s record for second-place all-time in NFL victories.
• The last time the Patriots recorded back-to-back shutout wins was in 1982 when they beat Miami 3-0 and the following week beat Seattle 16-0.
• Matthew Judon has registered a sack in each game this season; he is the only NFL player to reach that accomplishment this season. He has six sacks this season, tied for most in the NFL. If Judon records another sack, he will hold the New England record for most sacks in the season’s first six games. Chander Jones has the record with 6 1/2 snaps in the 2015 season.
• Nick Folk extended the NFL record to 63 straight field goals under 50 yards. He made all five field goal attempts last week vs. Detroit.
• Deatrich Wise Jr. has four sacks so far in 2022. With a sack in Cleveland, he will tie his career high.
• Matthew Slater will tie Bruce Armstrong with 212 games played in a Patriot uniform. He will move into second place only behind Tom Brady with two more games played.

Connections

Former Patriots

*Carl Davis Jr. (Patriots: Player DL 2020- present, Browns: Player DL 2018)

*Daniel Ekuale (Patriots: Player DL 2021- present, Browns: Player DL 2018-19)

*Brian Hoyer (Patriots: Player QB 2020- present, Browns: Player QB 2013-14)

*Jabrill Peppers (Patriots: Player S 2022- present Browns: Player S 2017-18)

*Mack Wilson Sr. (Patriots: Player LB 2022- present Browns: Player DB 2017-18)

*Bill Belichick (Patriots: Head Coach 2000- present, Browns: Head Coach 1991-95)

*Billy Yates (Patriots: Asst. OL Billy Yates 2021- present, Browns: Player OL 2009-10)

Former Browns

*Corey Bojorquez (Patriots: Player P 2018, Browns: Player P 2022)

*Jacoby Brissett (Patriots: Player QB 2016, Browns: Player QB 2022)

*Hjalte Froholdt (Patriots: Player G 2019-20, Browns: Player G 2022)

*Charley Hughlett (Patriots: Player LS 2014, Browns: Player LS 2014-present)

*Chad O’Shea (Patriots: WR Coach 2009-18, Browns: Pass Game Coord/WR 2020-present)

Who has the advantage?

When the Patriots run: Winner: Patriots

This will be the strongest differential on paper for the Patriots today. The Brown’s run defense is ranked 28th in yards per game (138.2) and 30th in yards per carry (5.3). Last week the New England rushing attack ran for 185 yards, mainly due to Rhamondre Stevenson’s effort. Stevenson also averaged six yards a carry against Detroit. Damien Harris is currently listed as questionable for the Patriots with a hamstring injury. If he can’t go, expect another big day for Rhamondre Stevenson. Furthermore, the Patriots elevated rookie running back Kevin Harris to the active roster this week. Along with Pierre Strong Jr., the running backs should expect some snaps today.

When the Browns run: Winner: Browns

The Browns rushing duo is arguably the best in the NFL. Led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, they currently lead the league in rushing with 192.4 yards a game. Nick Chubb alone has 593 yards and seven touchdowns on the season, averaging just over six yards a carry. Meanwhile, the Patriots rank 22nd in many categories, including 128.8 yards per game and yards per carrying with 4.8. The Patriots need to do a better job against the run this week.

When the Patriots pass: Winner: Browns

The Patriots are unsure which quarterback will start, Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe, but it will be a tough matchup. Patriots rookie Bailey Zappe had his first career start and earned his first career win against Detroit last week. He was very accurate, completing 81% of his passes. Although the Patriots had trouble in the red zone, they were 0-4. However, critical defensive back Denzel Ward will be inactive, making life a bit easier for the Patriots’ offense. Myles Garret leads the team with four sacks thus far, and the Patriot’s offensive line has been playing incredibly well, not allowing a sack last week against the Lions. WR Nelson Agholor was ruled out earlier this week, which signifies that rookie Tyquan Thornton will see more action after returning from the IR last week.

When the Browns pass: Winner: Patriots

Former Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett leads Brown’s passing attack. He has completted 64 percent of his passes, thrown for 1,060 yards, and has five touchdowns with three interceptions this season. The receiver room for Cleveland is led by Amari Cooper, who has 27 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns. The secondary for New England has been able to compete this season, led by Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills. However, rookie Jack Jones has been New England’s best cornerback on paper. The Patriots’ pass rush is led by Matthew Judon, who currently leads the Patriots with six sacks. The Patriots have 13 sacks as a team, and their defensive line has been outstanding so far.

Special teams: Winner: Patriots

The Patriots got better on special teams last week, granted Jake Bailey only punted the ball once for New England. Kicker Nick Folk was excellent last week, making all five field goal attempts. He is 9/10 on field goals this season and has made 63 field goals in a row from inside of 50 yards, a NFL record. Cleveland kicker Cade York missed two key field goals last week versus the Chargers but had not missed before last week. Marcus Jones will continue to return punts for the Patriots, and he has a favorable matchup on paper with the Browns giving up 14 yards a punt return.

Senior coaching staff

New England:

Head Coach – Bill Belichick

Senior football advisor/offensive line – Matt Patricia

Offensive assistant/quarterbacks – Joe Judge

Running backs – Vinnie Sunseri

Wide receivers – Troy Brown

Offensive line – Billy Yates

Linebackers – Steve Belichick

Linebackers – Jerod Mayo

Cornerbacks – Mike Pellegrino

Special teams coordinator – Cam Achord

Cleveland:

Head Coach – Kevin Stefanski

Offensive coordinator – Alex Van Pelt

Offensive Line – Bill Callahan

Pass game coordinator/wide coordinator – Chad O’Shea

Quarterbaks – Drew Petzing

Defensive coordinator – Joe Woods

Run game coordinator – Ben Bloom

Devensive Line – Chris Kiffin

Linebackers – Jason Tarver

Special teams coordinator – Mike Priefer

Injury Report

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Browns:

OUT:

DE Jadeveon Clowney – Ankle, Knee, Elbow

OT Joe Haeg – Concussion

CB Denzel Ward – Concussion

Patriots:

OUT:

LB Josh Uche – Hamstring

WR Nelson Agholor – Hamstring

CB Jonathan Jones – Ankle

Questionable:

DL Christian Barmore – Knee

DL Lawrence Guy – Shoulder

RB Damien Harris – Hamstring

LB Raekwon McMillan – Thumb

WR Jakobi Meyers – Knee

TE Jonnu Smith – Ankle

Latest Patriots transactions

Reverted QB Garret Gilbert back to the practice squad

Reverted TE Matt Sokol back to the practice squad

Game Officials

Head Referee -Scott Novak (8th season in the NFL and 4th as head official)

Weather Forcast

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High around 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. 1% chance of rain.

Broadcast information

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4. Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties with Trent Green as the color analyst. Melanie Collins will provide analysis from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Ken Mack and directed by Jim Cornell.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.