Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Browns in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Defense provided all the scoring the Patriots needed: The Patriots got a scoop and score off a Lawrence Guy forced fumble by Dont'a Hightower, and then later set up the offense at the 11-yard line after a Guy interception. Those 14 points were really all the Patriots needed in this one as they kept the Browns out of the red zone on all but one drive, and made the plays when they needed to.
TURNING POINT
The 3rd-and-10 screen to James White that went for 59 yards in the third quarter. The Patriots were about to punt the ball away to a Browns offense that had just driven for a field goal after halftime to cut the deficit to seven points. The defense was probably a little tired, and Cleveland would have had great field position. But then the Browns got dumb, had a bad defensive call and Josh McDaniels knocked it out of the park.
SECOND GUESS
Any of Freddie Kitchens' game management decisions. Grand Canyon gulf with Bill Belichick.
THREE UP
Lawrence Guy: The big fella had a dominating game with a forced fumble and an interception — in the first quarter alone. That's a season for some guys.
Julian Edelman: Had eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns through three quarters as Brady constantly looked his way in clutch situations and the Browns had no answers.
Marcus Cannon: Rebounded from a rough game last week to really handle Myles Garrett for the most part, including a few key blocks on some big plays. Cannon's performance was even better considering RG Shaq Mason was out of the game.
TWO DOWN
Run defense: Nick Chubb largely shredded the Patriots for 131 yards on 20 carries. That's a big issue heading into a matchup against the Ravens, the best rushing offense in the league.
Patriots special teams: The addition of Justin Bethel was supposed to put this group over the top but in his first game action, the unit struggled. Obviously not his fault, but the Patriots had a 29-yard field goal blocked, missed a 34-yarder later, and the coverage and return units struggled. So did punter Jake Bailey.
INJURIES
Didn't see any. Jason McCourty seemed to share time with J.C. Jackson but I don't think it was injury related.
Actually, LB Shilique Calhoun left with a minor injury late but limped off
TOP PLAYS
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Patience, not changes, needed with offense: Yes, it was another mostly poor average performance from the offense, but there were more signs that they are making progress. The run game popped at times, Brady had big throws to Sanu and Watson late. Sure, there were some terrible plays, but what do you expect for an offense that has had this many changes? While I'll maintain they could use a more athletic center, everything else can stay as is — if Isaiah Wynn is coming back at LT — and there should be enough here to win a Super Bowl.
The Browns made a mistake at head coach and it may cost them their offensive coordinator: Freddie Kitchens does run a very good offense and has a great relationship with QB Baker Mayfield. But Kitchens is in way over his head in terms of being a head coach as, among other things, two failed challenges that weren't close to being overturned. The Browns need a real head coach but, if they move on from Kitchens, it's hard to see him staying as the offensive coordinator. They should have locked him up as OC, and brought in another head coach. Now they're going to need both after this season.