What experts are predicting for Sunday’s Patriots-Browns game
Jarvis Landry of the Browns gave his prediction for Sunday's game, but he may not want to look at what experts have to say.
COMMENTARY
This was supposed to be the signal that play time was over for the New England Patriots.
After nearly two months of facing the dreadful likes of the Dolphins, Redskins, Jets (twice), and Giants, the resurgent Cleveland Browns figured to give the Patriots their first “real” competition since the Week 1 opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At least, that’s probably what we thought back in early September.
The Patriots just plowed through a schedule against opponents that are collectively 12-30 so far this season. The Bills (5-1) own almost half of those wins.
The Browns were supposed to be different, leading into a second-half schedule that features the Cowboys, Ravens, and Chiefs as sexier challenges for the defending Super Bowl champs. Instead, they’re 2-4, and coming off a bye, fighting for relevance.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has thrown an NFL-leading 11 interceptions this season. The Patriots’ increasingly-historic defense has 18 interceptions to also lead the NFL.
Nope. This won’t be any different.
This week’s picks
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland wide receiver: Browns. “We’re gonna win. We’re gonna win. I think it’s just that simple. We’re getting guys back healthy again, and we’re gonna win.”
Dennis Maoloff, Cleveland Plain Dealer: Patriots 30, Browns 10. “Skinny: Patriots (7-0) are coming off a domination of QB Sam Darnold and the New York Jets, 33-0, Monday night. Patriots feature coach Bill Belichick, QB Tom Brady and a fantastic defense. The combination easily disposes of QB Baker Mayfield and the struggling Browns (2-4).”
Joe Giglio, NJ.com: Patriots (-13). “One team is trying to learn how to win. The other has mastered it.”
ESPN staff: All Pats.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 27, Browns 13. “This looked like it would be an enormous game for both teams when the schedule came out. Now the Browns are trying to survive, while the Patriots are the league’s best. The Cleveland offense has been bad this season, and the Patriots have the best defense in the league. Bill Belichick will eat up another young quarterback. Pats big.”
CBS Sports staff: Nobody is betting against the Patriots anymore (-12.5).
Jimmy Kempski, Philly Voice: Patriots (-13). “Ah, Cleveland, where Bill Belichick learned his craft, including how to cheat, by paying players under the table, thus not counting toward the salary cap, and I’m sure plenty of other ways as well.”
Tadd Haislop, Sporting News: Patriots 33, Browns 27. “The Browns will have had two weeks to prepare for this matchup. That would matter if we trusted Freddie Kitchens and his staff to install a game plan capable of catching Bill Belichick and the NFL’s best defense off guard and keeping them guessing for 60 minutes. (Which we don’t.) Cleveland knows its once-promising season is getting closer to a full collapse, so expect its best effort on the road in what basically will amount to a prime-time game. But New England is simply too good.”
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Patriots 30, Browns 17. “The Browns are coming off a bye, and the Patriots are coming off a Monday night game. Will that really matter? Baker Mayfield wants to have all those rings like Tom Brady, but that will require adjusting his game, spreading the ball and not forcing to Odell Beckham Jr., whom the Patriots will take away with Stephon Gilmore. The Browns will try to be more about Nick Chubb, but the Patriots’ run defense is sound and disciplined. Brady will see better matchups while facing less pressure, and there’s no reason to think Bill Belichick wants to let up on Freddie Kitchens.”
Michael Hurley, CBS Boston: Patriots (-13). I picked against New England last week. That sounds bad. It sounds worse if you say it like this: I picked the Jets to cover against the Patriots last week. Never. Again.”
MassLive staff: All Pats (-13). “It’s hard to say who needs to improve more at this point Baker Mayfield or Freddie Kitchens. But the Browns have to be among the most disappointing teams in the NFL. Of course the fastest way to change their narrative would be to win Sunday.”
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 35, Browns 16. “The Browns have a long way to go to become the Patriots. On Sunday, the Browns will find out just how far they have to go, the hard way.”
Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 27, Browns 7. “This is not the defense for Baker Mayfield to get on track against. It could get ugly in New England.”
USA Today staff: No Browns.
Five Thirty Eight: New England at 84 percent (-11.5).
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Patriots 27, Browns 24. “The Baker Mayfield-Odell Beckham Jr. connection has underwhelmed through six games. OBJ is averaging 8.1 yards per target, significantly less than that of Jarvis Landry or even Ricky Seals-Jones. That’s a result of poor timing from the duo, poor throws from Mayfield and a surprising amount of catchable passes Beckham hasn’t come down with. I’m fascinated to see how Freddie Kitchens and Mayfield will attempt to fix the issue in Foxborough, especially with Beckham likely to draw Stephon Gilmore plenty. New England’s heavy press-man-coverage approach should be susceptible to big plays, but the Pats haven’t faced an offense explosive enough to take advantage of their aggression. This Browns offense is fully capable of spiking for one week and resetting expectations after a shaky start, but I don’t trust their coaches, players or defense to handle all the situational-football pressure Bill Belichick and Tom Brady apply in a surprising thriller.”
It says here: Patriots 6, Browns 1. Wait, that’s the interception ratio we’ll probably see. Let’s say 42-10 for the score.
