The New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns are set to meet in a Week 8 matchup on Sunday.
Both teams are currently on very different trajectories. New England is looking for their fifth win in a row, while the Browns are looking for their second straight victory after a rough start to the season.
For the Patriots, it’s about consistency, and so far, the team has delivered in that regard. Quarterback Drake Maye continued to play at a high level in last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans, going 21-of-23 passing for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He has recorded 1,744 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions on the year.
For the first time in weeks, the Patriots were able to lean on the running game with Rhamondre Stevenson carrying the ball 18 times for 88 yards and one touchdown. However, it has been the emergence of the passing attack that has taken the Patriots’ offense to a whole other level.
Stefon Diggs has served as a true No. 1 receiving target for Maye, and both Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas have served as strong complementary options. With that said, the Patriots will be facing a Browns defense that allows the third-least passing yards on average at 173.7 yards per game.
The Browns are the No. 1-ranked team in total defense with opponents averaging only 256.1 yards per game against them.
It all starts with former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who could be a huge problem for the Patriots’ offensive line. Maliek Collins, Carson Schwesinger and even Devin Bush could also be headaches in the trenches.
But what will the Browns look like offensively? They will be facing a stout Patriots defense with a rookie quarterback in Dillon Gabriel. The Browns beat the Dolphins, but it wasn’t a big day through the air for Gabriel, who went 13-of-18 passing for 116 yards.
With that said, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins rushed for 84 yards and three touchdowns. So this will be a battle won and lost in the trenches. The Patriots lead the all-time series against the Browns by a 14-13 margin, and they have won the last five matchups.
Here are the final picks and scores from the Patriots Wire staff:
Danny Jaillet: Patriots 24, Browns 10
Jordy McElroy: Patriots 20, Browns 12
Sophie Weller: Patriots 27, Browns 24
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
