Patriots Vs. Browns, Why Am I Watching?
It’s tough watching the Browns Defense, however, I’ll watch every game because I’m a Browns fan. Last week the Browns lost to the Chargers 30-28 and the Patriots beat the Lions 29-0. This Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (EST) Cleveland hosts New England at FirstEnergy Stadium. It seems like every game this season is a must-win and this week it’s the same: must-win. What am I watching?
Browns Offense Vs. Patriots Defense. The Patriots Defense is ranked 15th in the league. They give up 340 yards per game, 211 yards passing, 129 yards rushing and 20 points a game. In their two losses New England has given up 28 points a game and in their three wins, seven points a game. The Patriots have the sixth-best passing defense in the NFL and play nickel & dime 90% of the time. On pass plays, they blitz 31% of the time. Their weakness is their run defense (27th). They give up 2.2 yards per carry before contact on inside runs and 2.6 yards per carry before contact on outside runs. Both are last in the NFL. The Browns are the best rushing offense in the league and this will be the best rushing offense New England has faced. The Browns have to give Nick Chubb more than 20 carries. In the passing game, the Patriots linebackers are not very good in coverage, so underneath passes to the tight ends and running backs should have success as well as bubble screens and quick slants. The Browns Offensive line will have to account for Mathew Judon, who has at least one sack in every game.
Browns Defense Vs. Patriots Offense. The Patriots Offense is ranked 17th in the league. They average 346 yards per game, 208 yards passing, 138 yards rushing and score 21 points a game. This week the Browns will face rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe, who is making his first road start. The only rookie quarterback who won his first road start for a Bill Belichick Patriots Team was Tom Brady. New England’s rushing offense is the second-best in the league and their passing offense is 23rd. Their leading rusher is Rhamondre Stevenson with 372 yards, 161 of those yards come last week against the Lions. Their leading receiver is Jakobi Meyers with 261 yards, however, the Patriots can stretch the field with wide receivers Nelson Agholor and DeVante Parker. Zappe will have a very good tight end to throw to in Hunter Henry. It’s no secret, the Patriots will run the ball and run the ball some more. The Browns have to sell out to stop the run and let the rookie beat them. Tackling will have to improve this week. Hopefully, new linebacker Deion Jones can play, he’s the sixth-best coverage linebacker in the league which will help in covering New England’s tight ends. The Browns Secondary, especially the safeties, will have to be where they’re supposed to be on the field. Pressure the rookie QB and throw in some disguised blitzes. It’s past time for DE Myles Garrett to make a game-changing play.
Bill Belichick loves to beat the Browns. The Browns need to stop making stupid mistakes. I want to see Nick Chubb carry the ball at least twenty times (they are 2-0 this year when he does) and have Zappe throw the ball more than twenty times (which means the Browns are stopping the run). The special teams need to step up. Enjoy the game.
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