Breaking down some of the key sequences in the Patriots' victory over the Browns, New England's fifth-straight victory, including:
• The defensive hold after Drake Maye's interception
• Maye rebounding from Myles Garrett's strip sack for a key completion before halftime
• Pressure leading to Robert Spillane's interception
• Josh McDaniels dialing up a shot play TD to Kayshon Boutte
On to the action ...
1-10-NE 34 (13:03) (Shotgun) D.Gabriel pass short left to D.Njoku to NE 35 for -1 yards (J.Tavai, R.Spillane).
2-11-NE 35 (12:16) (Shotgun) Q.Judkins right guard to NE 29 for 6 yards (C.Woodson; R.Spillane).
3-5-NE 29 (11:33) (Shotgun) D.Gabriel pass incomplete deep left to I.Bond (M.Jones).
Patriots are trailing 7-3 after Maye's interception, but the defense holds and the Browns miss a field goal to go up 7.
Jahlani Tavai busts up a quick game thanks to a complete physical mismatch against rookie WR Isaiah Bond.
The Browns hit a nice run play, but rookie safety Craig Woodson does a nice job filling and making a big stick one-on-one in the hole to set up third and medium.
The Patriots actually blew the coverage twice on third down, but the combination of Dillon Gabriel not having enough arm strength, the restrained pressure from K'Lavon Chaisson, and the closing speed of Marcus Jones allows the Patriots to avoid disaster.
2-10-CLV 32 (1:00) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at CLV 40 for -8 yards (M.Garrett). FUMBLES (M.Garrett) [M.Garrett], recovered by NE-J.Wilson at CLV 40.
3-18-CLV 40 (:29) (Shotgun) PENALTY on NE-H.Henry, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at CLV 40 - No Play.
3-23-CLV 45 (:29) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep middle to K.Boutte to CLV 24 for 21 yards (R.Jenkins).
This was just one of the many examples in this game of Maye being virtually unflappable.
The Patriots get to the Browns' 32, trailing 7-6, just before halftime after Maye's scramble and disaster of a slide attempt, and appear to be in good shape (not sure why Mike Vrabel called a timeout at the one-minute mark). And then Myles Garrett beats the chip of Hunter Henry and the block attempt by Will Campbell (gave Garrett too much space after the chip) to strip sack Maye. Then Henry goes offsides and the Patriots appear to be imploding.
Then, on third down, Maye hangs in the pocket and throws with anticipation to get the Patriots back into field-goal range, as Boutte makes a nice catch of a ball thrown behind him. Maye showed no ill effects from the strip-sack. That's not easy to do.
3-7-CLV 33 (7:41) (Shotgun) D.Gabriel pass short middle intended for D.Njoku INTERCEPTED by R.Spillane at CLV 39. R.Spillane to CLV 6 for 33 yards(D.Sampson; D.Gabriel).
Patriots were leading 16-7 at the time, but this play put the rout in motion.
Spillane's always been good in zone drops, but this was more about the Patriots' overload pressure making Gabriel uncomfortable and forcing a pass that was about 3 yards behind David Njoku.
Milton Williams really affects Gabriel, but the combination blitz from Williams, Christian Barmore, Christian Elliss and Chaisson looping makes Gabriel throw this ball early and inaccurately.
Patriots cashed in three plays later — after another Maye sack — to lead 23-7.
1-10-CLV 39 (:59) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep left to K.Boutte for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This ended the game before the third quarter was even over.
Patriots are on the plus-40, one of those shot play zones, and Josh McDaniels dials one up to go after rookie cornerback Dom Jones, who replaced the injured Tyson Campbell, who had departed the previous series.
Boutte delivered a nice stutter and go, and Maye gave him a perfect pass, but poor Jones was turned around and safety Ronnie Hickman was absolutely no help after being frozen by Mack Hollins' "for love of the game" route to free up Boutte one-on-one.