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8 takeaways from Patriots’ blowout win over Browns
Despite facing plenty of pressure from Myles Garrett, Drake Maye still threw for 3 touchdowns against Cleveland.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots’ win streak extended to five games on Sunday via a 32-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium.
Despite facing plenty of pressure from Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s dominant pass-rush, Drake Maye still managed to carve up one of the top defensive units in the league — while New England’s defense clamped down against Dillon Gabriel and Cleveland’s offense.
Here are eight takeaways from Sunday’s win in Foxborough.
Patriots take care of business against stingy opponent
It wasn’t pretty for Mike Vrabel’s team, especially in a first half where New England’s pass protection was oftentimes shredded and the Patriots’ defense was sleepwalking at the start.
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But New England did what good teams do down the stretch — making the proper second-half adjustments that turned what was a 9-7 Patriots lead at the half into a lopsided victory.
A 2-6 Cleveland team may not strike fear into many, but the Browns stood as the toughest test that Maye and New England’s offense has faced this season. And based on Maye’s final stat line (18-of-24, 282 passing yards, 3 TDs, 50 rushing yards) both he and his teammates ultimately aced that matchup on Sunday afternoon.
Now in the midst of a five-game winning streak, the Patriots have made the most of this lighter segment of the schedule — and seem to have plenty of momentum on their side as they move forward against the Falcons next week.
Maye takes his lumps amid another MVP-like showing
Maye will likely need a whole lot of ice bags after Sunday’s win, as Garrett often made life miserable for the young QB.
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But it was another notch in Maye’s belt that the rising star took his fair share of punishment, had a few early miscues … and still managed to torch one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
A lot of Maye’s initial struggles against Cleveland was a direct byproduct of the pressure that he faced on just about every drop-back — with the second-year quarterback sacked six times on the day to go along with seven QB hits.
His lone blemish came in the second quarter, when Maye (admittedly hurried off another bit of pressure generated by Garrett), threw an errant pass that hit Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger square in the chest.
Maye’s first interception since Week 3 put Cleveland on New England’s 34-yard line, but the Browns weren’t able to generate any points off the turnover — as Browns kicker Andre Szmyt ultimately missed a 47-yard field goal to close out that drive.
Despite operating with little time to throw due to Garrett, Maye showcased plenty of fortitude throughout the first half before completely taking over in the third quarter — both through the air and on the ground.
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Against a Cleveland defense that has been a thorn in the side of just about every opponent so far this year, Maye and the Patriots generated 16 plays of 10-plus yards.
As cheers as “MVP!” started to hover around Gillette Stadium in the second half, Maye has done little to dispel the notion that he’s playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the game today.
Myles Garrett shreds New England’s offensive line
The top matchup entering Sunday’s matchup at Gillette Stadium revolved around how a Patriots offensive line that has admittedly exceeded expectations in 2025 would fare against a pass-rushing juggernaut in Garrett.
It didn’t go well for New England’s O-line.
Even if the Patriots were able to escape Sunday with a win, Garrett was a one-man wrecking crew against Will Campbell and an inexperienced offensive line — closing out the afternoon with a whopping five sacks, five QB hits, and five tackles-for-a-loss.
Even though New England entered halftime with a 9-7 lead over Cleveland, it was Garrett who prevented the Patriots from manufacturing some breathing room going into halftime. Two of his sacks in the first half stalled out drives that made it within Cleveland’s 10-yard line, leading to field goals from Andy Borregales.
Garrett’s third sack of the half almost ended in disaster for New England, as he swung around and nearly yanked Maye’s arm off en route to a strip-sack. Rookie guard Jared Wilson managed to bounce on the loose ball to prevent the turnover, but Garrett’s sack prompted another field goal for New England — giving the Patriots a 9-7 lead at the half.
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Garrett continued to disrupt New England’s offensive rhythm in the second half, but his play alone wasn’t going to be enough to hold off a Patriots team that capitalized on critical mistakes and schemed up enough solid looks on offense to turn a tight game into a blowout down the stretch.
Another slow start on defense
For all of the talk about Cleveland’s imposing defensive unit entering Sunday, the same can’t be said about the Browns offense — which ranked 30th in the NFL in points per game (16.1) going into Week 8.
But in what has been a recurring theme for New England’s defensive unit so far this season, an opposing team managed to dole out plenty of damage on their opening possession against the Patriots — with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel orchestrating a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter.
New England’s defense was knocked for several miscues on that opening sequence – be it poor tackling on what was a 31-yard jet sweep from Malachi Corley or a miscommunication in coverage that led to an uncovered Harold Fannin Jr. reeling in an 18-yard touchdown from Gabriel.
The Patriots did clamp down on Cleveland’s offense for a majority of the afternoon, with the Browns closing out the game with just 213 yards of total offense.
Still, slow starts have plagued the Patriots on the defensive side of the ball so far this year.
Opposing teams have now scored on six of their eight opening drives against the Patriots during the 2025 season.
McDaniels dials up a dominant drive to open second half
The Patriots didn’t have a lot of breathing room going into the second half with just a two-point cushion.
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But with New England in need of a knockout punch, Josh McDaniels threw the kitchen sink at Cleveland’s defense as part of a 7-play, 77-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard TD catch from Hunter Henry.
New England’s offense did a little bit of everything as they marched down the field and tried to negate Cleveland’s pass-rushing force, including:
- A six-yard run from TreVeyon Henderson
- A crack toss for Henderson for 27 yards
- A double-pass play between Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Mack Hollins for 19 yards
- A speed option for four yards
- A jet sweep for DeMario “Pop” Douglas for 19 yards
- A 7-yard TD catch from Henry off the bootleg
While New England later turned this game into a laugher, this scripted drive was exactly what the Patriots needed to assert itself amid a second-half beatdown against Cleveland.
Spillane’s INT puts Cleveland on the ropes
It didn’t take long for the Patriots to pounce once again after Henry found the end zone.
Just three players later, Gabriel committed his first major gaffe of the afternoon — as a pass intended for Fanin was picked off by Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane, who brought the ball back 33 yards before getting taken down on the Browns’ 6-yard line.
Spillane now has seven interceptions since the start of the 2023 season, the second-highest total by a linebacker over that stretch — with only Tremaine Edmunds generating more turnovers.
Just three plays later, Maye hit Stefon Diggs in the end zone off a goal-line screen for his first touchdown in a Patriots jersey.
As a result of strong complimentary football, what was once a nail-biting matchup quickly resulted in a blowout for New England.
Maye delivers knockout punch off another deep throw to Boutte
Maye was not done in the third quarter.
After Cleveland turned the ball over once again after Jaylinn Hawkins picked off Gabriel with a stellar one-handed interception, Maye once again torched Cleveland’s defense by way of a five-play, 76-yard TD drive.
Cheers of “MVP!” started to rain down from the stands after Maye scrambled up for the middle for 28 yards. On the very next play, Maye uncorked a deep ball down the field that was reeled in by Kayshon Boutte for a 39-yard TD — giving New England a 30-7 lead.
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After an up-and-down start, Maye closed out the third quarter with a perfect 6-for-6 on his throws for 82 yards and three touchdowns.
Not too bad for a QB whose stock continues to soar with each new week.
Odds and ends
It’s been a slow start to the season for rookie TreVeyon Henderson, but the talented back did have a strong game on Sunday against the Browns — finishing with 75 rushing yards and averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Unfortunately, Henderson’s potential breakout game ended on a sour note after he fumbled near the goal line in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots were stingy by the injury bug in the second half, as defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga was ruled as questionable to return with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.
Christian Barmore was disruptive as the game carried on, but he was not on the field for the entire first quarter. It’s unclear if it was an injury or something else that sidelined him at the start.
LIVE UPDATES
3:58: Patriots beat the Browns, 32-13. It wasn’t pretty at the start, but that was another MVP-level performance from Drake Maye down the stretch.
The Patriots have won five games in a row and are now 6-2 on the season.
3:50: Intentional grounding in the end zone for Cleveland leads to a safety for New England.
It’s 32-13 Patriots.
3:49: That’s a brutal development for TreVeyon Henderson, who fumbles the ball near the goal line.
3:36: Cleveland scores in the fourth quarter — Gabriel to David Njoku.
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It’s a 30-13 game with 9:24 left.
3:32: Five sacks for Myles Garrett today. A franchise record.
3:31: Tonga is questionable to return with a knee injury.
3:27: Browns get into the red zone, but they can’t convert on a 4th and 13 play. New England taking over on downs.
3:20: End Third: Patriots now up, 30-7.
3:12: PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN.
We have an “M-V-P!” chant here at Gillette Stadium … just as Maye hits Kayshon Boutte for a 39-yard TD.
Sheesh.
It’s 30-7 Patriots.
3:11: As scary as it is to see Maye scramble, he can get moving in a hurry. He picks up 28 yards on the ground.
3:04: Gabriel and this Cleveland offense is now flatlining. His deep ball down the field is picked off by Jaylinn Hawkins — who one-hands the catch.
Maye and Co. take over at their own 19.
What a play by Hawkins.
2:57: TOUCHDOWN Patriots. Stefon Diggs has his first touchdown with the Patriots, after reeling in a 1-yard pass on his second-straight target.
It’s 23-7 and the rout is now on.
2:51: Momentum is fully on New England’s side now. Robert Spillane picks off Gabriel, and New England is taking over at Cleveland’s 6-yard line.
2:45: TOUCHDOWN Patriots. Maye hits Hunter Henry for a 7-yard touchdown.
That was a great scripted drive by McDaniels and Co. to build a 16-7 lead coming out of the second half. So far, New England’s defense is clamping down.
7 plays, 77-yard drive for New England.
2:43: A little trickery here for a first-down pickup by Mack Hollins.
2:42: A 27-yard pickup from Henderson. He’s having a nice breakout game.
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2:37: Cleveland has once again struggled to gain some traction against New England’s defense, as the Browns punt once again to start the third quarter.
2:29: As for your halftime entrainment:
2:21: Borregales’ third FG of the day gives New England a 9-7 lead at the half.
Maye has taken a beating today, with Garrett already delivering with three sacks in the first half.
New England’s defense has at least tightened up after a sluggish start.
2:12: Pop Douglas to the rescue. He reels in a 44-catch on a 3rd down to put New England on Cleveland’s 32. 1:05 left in the half.
2:07: New England’s defense doesn’t budge on a double-pass attempt from Cleveland and forces another punt. Maye has the ball back with 2:09 left in the half.
2:02: A brutal false start on Mike Onwenu on a 3rd-and-1 stalls another New England drive.
1:57: New England’s defense has tightened up after that brutal start. Another 3-and-out for Cleveland and the Patriots have the ball back with 6:03 left in the half.
1:50: Once again, New England’s offense stalls out in the red zone after Garrett sacks Maye on third down. He’s been a problem, as expected.
Borregales’ 32-yard field goal is good.
It’s a 7-6 game.
1:48: Maye is bouncing back. He hits Hooper and Hollins for two completions for 51 total yards. New England now in the red zone.
1:44: The Patriots defense bounces back — while Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt’s 47-yard field goal goes wide left. New England doesn’t give up any points off of Maye’s turnover.
1:40: Not great. Maye throws an interception — intended for Diggs, but hits Carson Schwesinger right in the chest.
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Cleveland taking over at New England’s 34.
1:35: End First: Patriots trail Cleveland, 7-3. Another slow start for New England’s defense has them behind the eight-ball.
1:31: New England’s defense rebounds and forces a Cleveland punt. 53 seconds left in the first.
1:27: A sloppy start all around for New England. Brenden Schooler gets called for a facemask penalty on that punt.
1:25: Not the best response for the Patriots offense, as New England goes 3-and-out. New England can’t convert on a 3rd and 1.
1:18: Browns TOUCHDOWN. Way tooo easy for Cleveland — and New England’s defense snoozing out of the gate once again.
Gabriel hits a wide-open Fanin for an 18-yard touchdown.
New England’s defense once again struggles on its first drive of the afternoon.
It’s 7-3 Cleveland.
1:16: Quinshon Judkins ran into a wall that is Tonga and Williams on Cleveland’s first offensive snap. Tonga has been a force on the D-line for New England.
1:10: Patriots drive stalls out within the 10-yard line. Myles Garrett with a 10-yard sack after blowing by Will Campbell and Hunter Henry.
Borregales’ kick from 36 yards is good.
Patriots lead, 3-0.
1:05: Cleveland brings the blitz and Maye gains 16 yards on the ground.
1:04: 12-yard pickup for TreVeyon Henderson. A good start for the rookie.
1:00: Browns win the toss and defer. The Patriots will get the ball first.
12:50: Kayshon Boutte is a game-day captain.
12:10: Warmups are underway.
11:32: A look at the Patriots inactives.
Dugger sidelined with a knee injury — while Efton Chism is a healthy scratch.
Not a great sign that Keion White is officially a healthy scratch.
11:00: Greetings from Foxborough!
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