Patriots vs. Browns: New England stays perfect as defense causes three straight Cleveland turnovers
New England has moved to 8-0, while Cleveland is 2-5.
The New England Patriots are still perfect on the season, moving to 8-0 after handing the Browns (2-5) a 27-13 loss at Gillette Stadium.
Really, this was a game of miscues by the Browns in the early going and the Patriots taking advantage of those mistakes. Cleveland had a string of three offensive plays that all resulted in turnovers. The first was a fumble by Nick Chubb that was knocked out by Lawrence Guy and recovered by Dont'a Hightower, who took it to the end zone for a touchdown.
On the very next offensive snap for the Browns, Chubb took the ball 44 yards, but fumbled once again and Devin McCourty recovered. New England completed the hat trick of turnovers when Lawrence Guy was able to intercept a Baker Mayfield touch pass deep in Cleveland territory. He handed Tom Brady, who completed 20 of his 32 passes for 259 and two touchdowns, the ball within the red zone and he quickly completed a touchdown to Julian Edelman, their first of two connections on the night.
The Browns dug themselves into a deep hole with those errors, along with the 13 penalties for 85 yards they were called for.
Outside of his turnovers, however, Nick Chubb was able to find success against this historic Patriots defense, rushing for 131 yards. That said, Chubb coughing up the ball proved to be the difference.
This win also is the 300th of Bill Belichick's career, making him just one of two other coaches to reach the milestone in NFL history.
To see how the action unfolded in real time check out our live blog below.
And that'll do it. Patriots beat the Browns, 27-13. New England is 8-0 on the year, while Cleveland now moves to 2-5. Thanks for following along with me tonight everyone!
We're at the two minute warning and it looks like the Patriots are going to move to 8-0 here. If this holds, Bill Belichick would also have his 300th win.
After the Cleveland field goal, Patriots lead, 27-13. New England is solid ATS, but we're getting close to a backdoor over in this game.
The Browns aren't utilizing Mayfield rushing ability as much as they should.
Beckham gets a big 31-yard reception. Has been held in check for most of the night, but was able to break free there.
Ugly field goal attempt by Nugent goes wide left. Browns get the ball back essentially where they lost it previously.
This makes zero sense. Browns were fourth-and-11 and going to punt it away. Get call for a false start and elect to go for it on fourth-and-16. Baker gets sacked and now the Patriots have the ball from the Browns 14.
That's just a bad throw by Baker. He had Beckham open, but threw the pass way too high. That said, I didn't love Odell trying to one hand that. I think may have had a better chance with two hands.
Looks like there is going to be offensive PI here.
A third-and 1 coming up here and this feels like the last gasp for the Browns.
Nugent hits the chip-shot field goal. Patriots up 27-10 on the Browns with 7:43 left to play.
Patriots are now flexing some deep shots. Brady just hit Ben Watson for a 26-yard completion. Watson ran up the seam and leaped in the air to make the grab. New England now in the red zone.
First big gain of the night for Mohamed Sanu. Brady hits him on a play-action pass that goes for 19 yards.
Stephon Gilmore almost had a pick on a throw that I have absolutely no clue who was the true target. Mayfield threw it in the middle of two Browns receivers crossing in different directions. Browns punt and now it's Pats ball.
Unsurprisingly, the ruling on the field stands.
Pick play gets called for offensive PI on Antonio Callaway. Big penalty that erases a Landry gain. Browns are challenging the call on the field, so let's see what happens. I don't think this gets overturned.
The Browns have way too many self-inflicted wounds. Penalties, turnovers, poor play calling, etc.
Harris has been a critical outlet for Baker Mayfield tonight. Beckham has been held to just four catches for 21 yards.
Just keep thinking that those two Nick Chubb turnovers will be the difference in this game along with the Lawrence Guy interception.
I wonder if the Patriots will go back to Sony Michel more on this drive in an attempt to kill some clock. Given the success he had in the first quarter, could be worth exploring that option.
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