Mac Jones continued to be limited in practice this week as he attempts to come back from a high ankle sprain.
He's definitely shown improvement — he's moving better and even showing some mobility. But it still appears that strength in that left ankle is still an issue — that will be the last remaining hurdle — making Jones playing this week a slight stretch, although it can't be ruled out.
That being said, this sets up as another advantageous situation for Bailey Zappe if he has to make his second career start. If the Patriots dusted off the 2016 gameplan against the Texans for Jacoby Brissett last week against the Lions (it appeared to be a carbon copy), they should go back to last year's script that won them the Wind Game last year at Buffalo, when Jones threw three passes. This is the worst interior run defense I have ever seen — DVOA puts them as the league's worst run defense by far over, guess who?, the Lions and Packers — and it makes you wonder if the Patriots will even need to throw a pass this game.
It helps that the Browns' offense, which has a great running back and one of the best offensive lines in the league, is led by another limited backup, one they know well — Brissett.
Throw in the coaching mismatch between Bill Belichick and Kevin Stefanski ... if there was ever a game in the Patriots' wheelhouse — even more than the Lions — this is it.
A look at the Browns' personnel, coaches' film analysis, matchup advantages and disadvantages, gameplan points and game pick:
OFFENSE
DVOA: 4th overall, 10th pass, 1st rushing, 30th schedule
Patriots D: 9th overall, 8th pass, 28th rush, 1st schedule
Coordinated by Alex Van Pelt, but this is Stefanski's baby. He's a Mike Shanahan/Gary Kubiak disciple, so that means zone running and a lot of short passing. They mix in some power — you will see the Browns pull their guards into the D gap outside the tight end, which is unheard of. Will run sets with three tight ends. Disappointed with their playaction game considering how good the run is. It's not coordinated all that well. A lot of shotgun empty sets for a team that should be power-based.
Quarterback
7 Jacoby Brissett: Good, solid backup. Good arm, athletic ability. Stares down receivers, will throw late to the outside. Makes mistakes when flushed from pocket. Will throw you a couple.
Running backs
24 Nick Chubb: One of the best backs in the league. Perfect plenty of speed, elusiveness and power, and he is good in the pass game. By far their best player.
27 Kareem Hunt: Would start a lot of places. Gets most of the pass game work, but they'll rotate.
Receivers
2 Amari Cooper: Same player as always. Will make a few big plays, will drop a pass or two, and he'll tap out if he has to play too many snaps.
11 Donovan Peoples-Jones: Best receiver on the team. Dependable, good hands. Inside/outside versatility.
18 David Bell: Third-round pick out of Purdue is a tall (6-1) slot. Only six targets this season.
85 David Njoku: Uber-talented TE is finally coming into his own. Has caught 24 of 28 targets with a 12.0 yards average.
88 Harrison Bryant: Good athletic ability but has mostly a blocker.
Offensive line
71 Jedrick Wills Jr.: Good LT has allowed team-high 10 pressures and 2 sacks. Good blend of athletic ability and power.
75 Joel Bitonio: One of the best guards in the game. Has allowed six pressures.
55 Ethan Pocic: Average center and the weak link.
77 Wyatt Teller: Might be 1-2 with Bitonio as guards in the NFL. Has four penalties. Nasty demeanor.
78 Jack Conklin: Former Titan has only allowed one pressure. Not as good run blocking.
72 Hjalte Froholdt: Former Patriots draft pick has played six snaps.
DEFENSE
DVOA: 30th overall, 16th pass, 32nd rushing, 24th schedule
Patriots off: 22nd overall, 26th pass, 11th rush
Former Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods directs this group and he's under a lot of heat, although most of the issues have to do with talent. They blitz 22.2 percent which is bottom third of the league. They get pressure 19 percent, which is also in the bottom third.
Defensive line
DE 95 Myles Garrett: One of the most dominating edge rushers in the league. Leads team with 20 pressures and 3 sacks. Not great against the run. Also will run past the QB.
DT 96 Jordan Elliott: One of a bunch of DTs that are around 300 pounds. Can't hold up against the run. At all.
DT 99 Taven Bryan: He's less than 300 pounds. Give me a break.
DE 90 Jadeveon Clowney: Second on team with 11 pressure and 2 sacks. Better against the run. Same guy as always: doesn't practice much, effort wanes. Will make a splash play.
93 Tommy Togiai: He's 296 pounds.
97 Perrion Winfrey: Talented rookie is 290 pounds. Like the other guys, he's an end not a tackle.
Linebackers
50 Jacob Phillips: He's 228 pounds. Runs well, but can't hold up against the run.
28 Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: Former college safety ... should still be a safety at 221 pounds. Has given up 2 TDs and a 131.8 passer rating.
45 Deion Jones: Former Falcons Pro Bowler was just acquired in a trade. Browns aren't sure if he'll be ready to go, but they need a lot of help.
44 Sione Takitaki: Mostly a special teamer.
Secondary
21 Denzel Ward: Former top pick is very talented and at times he's awesome, but he'll give up some big plays. Passer rating allowed of 100.9. He's still in concussion protocols.
20 Greg Newsome II: Has only allowed 60 percent completions.
23 Martin Emerson Jr.: Has allowed impressive 7.9 yards per reception.
22 Grant Delpit: Good run tackling box safety.
43 John Johnson III: Has allowed just 46.2 percent completions.
Special Teams DVOA: Patriots 13th, Browns 21st
MATCHUP ADVANTAGES
Interior run blocking: Expect to hear a lot of talk about how Cole Strange, David Andrews and Mike Onwenu dominated this game — they very much should. The Browns' starting DTs are everyone's sub rushers. They are tiny and light.
Matthew Judon vs. Jedrick Wills: This is a good matchup but Judon should again have an advantage.
Hunter Henry vs. Browns LBs: Henry should build off his production from last week.
Belichick vs. Jacob Brissett: He knows Brissett gets tunnel vision and usually has only half-field reads. The Patriots will funnel him into their coverage. Look for some trap coverage. I see another Jack Jones pick-six.
Patriots special teams vs. Browns special teams: Browns have P Corey Bojorquez, who used to be here and was cut. They have a rookie kicker who missed to win the game last week. Patriots are making a big special teams play or two this week. They always have one game like that. It's either this week or last week.
Belichick vs. Garrett and Clowney: You will barely hear from those guys this week. The Patriots always handle these kinds of rushers who love to run by the QB.
MATCHUP DISADVANTAGES
Brown interior OL vs. Patriots interior DL: Cleveland has the two best guards in the game. Patriots will have to stack the box to even out this matchup.
Peoples-Jones vs. Jalen Mills: I expect the Patriots will be more worried about Cooper, so the Browns might make a few plays here.
GAME PLAN POINTS
Pound the rock: The Patriots barely have to throw the ball to win this game. Keep it simple. Run, run and run again.
Heavy box, stop the run: Both teams will be stacking the box to put the game on the other team's backup QB. The Patriots will be much more successful at this because they actually have players who can defend the run.
Take away Njoku: He's the safety blanket and a good player.
Make Brissett beat you: The line and Chubb are excellent. Go with man coverage on early downs and throw your assets into the box to stop the run.
GAME PICK
BetOnline.ag Line: Browns by 2.5. O/U: 43.5
Bedard's record: 5-0 straight up, 5-0 vs. spread
Patriots 30, Browns 13.
TODAY'S INJURY REPORT
Patriots signed RB Kevin Harris to the active roster.
