BSJ Game Report: Patriots 32, Browns 13 - Maye, defense dominate third quarter to dust Cleveland

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Browns in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Garrett, Browns put a scare into Patirots ... for a half: As usual, the Browns went right down the field with ease on the first possession to take an early 7-0 lead, and then Myles Garrett showed exactly who is by dominating for a half-plus with four sacks (had a 5th in the fourth quarter) as a little bit of a rattled Drake Maye threw an interception. But Andre Szmyt missed the field goal after the interception, and the Browns couldn't build on their 7-3 lead. The Patriots took the lead at 9-7 at halftime, and then put on the afterburners after the break. Josh McDaniels was in his bag on the first scoring drive, scheming up all sorts of different runs, trick plays and playaction plays to get Hunter Henry wide open. Now the Patriots had the Browns and rookie QB Dillon Gabriel right where they wanted them, down two scores. Gabriel threw an interception right to Robert Spillane. Stefon Diggs got his first Patriots TD reception on a quick pick play. Jaylinn Hawkins made a sensational interception and, thanks to a 28-yard Maye scramble and 36-yard dot TD to Kayshon Boutte, the game was over at 30-7 before the 4th quarter even started.

Henderson, running game get going: The Browns have one of the better run defenses in the league, but the Patriots were able to stay balanced with 98 yards on 19 carries from people not named Drake Maye through three quarters. TreVeyon Henderson finally had a breakout game of some sort with 77 yards on 10 carries (7.7 yards average) as McDaniels was able to get him on the edge. But Henderson did have a fumble on the 2-yard line, so that will tarnish this a little.

Christian Barmore benched for a quarter: Mike Vrabel revealed after the game that Christian Barmore was benched for the first quarter, although he didn't get into specifics.

"I had to make a decision," Vrabel said. "My job is to protect the team, so when there's actions that I don’t feel like are commiserate with what we want to do here, I’ve got to make a decision, and we move on."

Barmore declined to speak to reporters after the game.

Defense stiffens after first drive behind Spillane: The Patriots allowed the Browns to go 70 yards in just six plays for an opening touchdown. Over the next seven drives, the Browns only totaled 58 yards and were intercepted by Spillane and Hawkins. Spillane seemed to be all over the place with 12 tackles and a tackle for a loss. Christian Barmore led the team with four pressures, and Marcus Jones also had some key passes defensed.

TURNING POINT

Dillon Gabriel throwing the ball right to Spillane. Patriots scored three plays later to make it 23-7.

SECOND GUESS

A little bit of a nitpick of Josh McDaniels, but the Patriots throwing it on 64% of plays in teh first 

THREE UP

QB Drake Maye: Made a few boneheaded decisions at time, but really limited the damage and then ended up playing a pretty mature game. According to the Patriots, Maye joined Matt Cassel (2008) as the only players in Patriots history with 250+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards and 3+ passing TDs in a single game. Maye threw three touchdowns in the first quarter alone. 

LB Robert Spillane: Was a tackling and hitting machine, and his interception really got the ball rolling.

WR Mack Hollins: Has been coming on and he led the team with 7 catches for 89 yards.

THREE DOWN

P Bryce Baringer: Had a 61-yard touchback when it was totally unneeded, and then shanked a 15-yard punt that led to the Browns' second touchdown

S Craig Woodson: Gave up another touchdown.

Special teams in general: Patriots had three special teams penalties, Baringer stunk and they allowed an onsides kick late. Andy Borreagles was the only redeeming thing on special teams.

INJURIES

DT Khyiris Tonga (knee): Was questionable to return.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Maye, offense pass a test: See, we/I weren't just trying to scare you with tales of Myles Garrett and this Browns defense. He and they were legit, although they did have a few busts. And it wasn't easy for Maye, he had to encounter some adversity in this game. But really like how he/they came out of it, played their best ball in the third quarter and finished off the Browns early. Impressive stuff, even if it wasn't a Piscasso for stretches of the game.

I'm not taking much from the defensive performance: The Patriots are a GREAT run defense, but how they limited Dillon Gabriel and turned him over ... he is not an NFL quarterback, and as soon as they got up two scores, it was predictably over. The defense did great with their opportunities, but this wasn't much of a measuring stick.