FOXBOROUGH – For a moment, it appeared as though the Patriots were set up in a “trap game.”
Matched up with the 2-5 Cleveland Browns, Mike Vrabel’s team didn’t look very efficient at the start of Sunday’s game.
The Patriots offense stalled at the 4-yard line in their first series. Then, the defense allowed a touchdown in Cleveland’s first series. The Browns led for the entirety of the first quarter and held a first-half lead until the final seconds of the first half.
This was the type of game we saw the Patriots lose over the last two seasons.
However, as this game wore on, it was a good example of how times have changed in New England under Vrabel and his staff. The defense settled down, stifling the Browns offense. Drake Maye and the Patriots offense adjusted, and the team broke this game wide open in the third quarter en route to a 32-13 win on Sunday.
The Patriots improve to 6-2 and have won five straight games for the first time since the 2021 season.
TreVeyon Henderson involved early
Last weekend, TreVeyon Henderson ran the ball two times for five yards against the Tennessee Titans. On Sunday, the rookie running back surpassed those numbers on the Patriots’ first drive.
Henderson ran the ball twice for 30 yards in the opening series. That included a 12-yard run and then an 18-yard run to push the Patriots close to the red zone. Drake Maye then connected with Rhamondre Stevenson for a gain of 15 to set up a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line.
That’s where the Patriots stopped moving. The offense lost 14 yards after getting to the 4-yard line. Stevenson lost 4 yards, and after an incomplete pass, Maye was sacked by Myles Garrett for a loss of 10 yards.
Andy Borregales gave the Patriots a 3-0 lead with a 36-yard field goal at 8:45 of the first quarter.
Henderson ran for a career-high 77 yards on Sunday, but lost a fumble with 4:59 left in the fourth quarter.
Defense starts slow, again
The Patriots defense still doesn’t know how to start games.
On Sunday, the Patriots allowed a scoring drive on the Browns first series. Opposing teams have now scored on six opening drives in the first eight weeks of the 2025 season against Vrabel’s defense.
Faced with a third-and-11, Dillon Gabriel hit Harold Fannin for 19 yards. The Browns then saw Malachi Corley take a handoff 31 yards downfield. On the next snap, Gabriel hit a wide-open Fannin for an 18-yard touchdown to give the Browns a 7-3 lead at 5:10 of the first quarter.
Patriots catch break after Maye’s pick
The Patriots offense struggled after their first series.
After a solid drive to start the game, the Patriots offense quickly went three-and-out in their second series. This happened when Stevenson lost a yard on third-and-1. The next time they got on the field, it ended even worse as Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger easily intercepted Maye.
The Patriots gained two first downs in this drive, but disaster struck at 13:12 of the second quarter when Maye threw the ball right to the linebacker—this marked Maye’s first interception since Week 2.
It looked like this turnover would cost the Patriots some points. Instead, the team caught a break. Browns kicker Andre Szmyt missed a 47-yard field goal at 11:26 of the second quarter.
Myles Garrett ruined drives
The Patriots and rookie left tackle Will Campbell had their hands full with Pro Bowl pass rusher Myles Garrett. In the first half, the offensive line didn’t win the battle.
In the first drive, Garrett sacked Maye to force a field goal attempt. Then in the third quarter, the Browns All-Pro did it again.
This series saw Maye look much more efficient, completing passes for 31 yards (to Austin Hooper) and 21 yards (to Mack Hollins). The Patriots got into the red zone for the second time and were 7 yards away from the end zone. However, Garrett sacked Maye on third down.
For the second time, it forced the team to kick a field goal with Borregales connecting from 32 yards. The Patriots trailed 7-6 with 7:41 left in the second quarter.
The Patriots were in scoring position at the end of the second quarter when Maye hit DeMario Douglas for 44 yards at the 32-yard line. With 1:00 left in the half, Garrett beat Campbell to strip-sack Maye. Jared Wilson recovered the ball as the Patriots lost 8 yards.
Hunter Henry false-started on the next snap to set up a third-and-23. Maye connected with Boutte for 21 yards to set up another field goal attempt. With two seconds left on the clock, Borregales hit a 42-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 9-7 halftime lead.
Josh McDaniels adjusted
The Patriots offense didn’t look very efficient in the first half, settling for three field goals. That led to Josh McDaniels adjusting at halftime.
Maye and the Patriots scored in their first drive of the third quarter, extending their lead to 16-7. This series saw multiple outside zone runs. That included a 27-yard gain by Henderson. The Patriots also ran a trick play - a double pass where Maye threw to Stevenson, who threw back to Maye, who then connected with Hollins for a 19-yard gain.
Maye finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown to Henry at 9:10 of the third quarter. The Patriots never saw a third down in that very efficient touchdown drive.
Defense adjusted
Speaking of adjustments, the Patriots defense was fantastic on Sunday. After allowing a touchdown on the opening drive, the unit settled down, forcing the Browns to punt in their second series.
That theme continued throughout the afternoon.
The Browns couldn’t replicate the same success and were forced to use punter Corey Bojorquez on most series after that first-quarter touchdown.
Then, at 7:41 of the third quarter, the defense stepped up even more when Robert Spillane intercepted Gabriel. The Patriots middle linebacker jumped in front of a pass intended for Browns tight end Davis Njoku and took back the interception 32 yards.
That set the offense up with a first-and-goal from the 6-yard line.
Stefon Diggs gets first touchdown
Stefon Diggs has been close this season, but the veteran receiver entered this game with no touchdowns.
That changed on Sunday.
After Spillane’s interception, Maye hit Diggs for an 8-yard pass. The receiver was stopped 1 yard shy of the end zone, and when he stood up, he touched the goal line with his hand. It didn’t take him long to break through as Maye hit Diggs for a 1-yard touchdown on the very next play.
That gave the Patriots a 23-7 lead at 6:43 of the third quarter.
Hawkins steps up in return
After missing the last two games due to a hamstring injury, Jaylinn Hawkins showed the Patriots what they were missing.
The veteran safety intercepted Gabriel at 3:53 of the third quarter. It was an impressive display of athleticism when he kept up with Isaiah Bond and then leaped up over the Browns receiver to haul in the catch.
This was the defense’s second turnover in a row as the Patriots easily ran away from the Browns.
Maye gives fans what they want
At the end of the third quarter, Maye took off for a 28-yard run. That’s when the Gillette Stadium crowd started shouting, “MVP! MVP! MVP!”
While those chants were ongoing, Maye delivered, hitting Boutte for a 39-yard touchdown. The score, with 39 seconds left in the third quarter, gave the Patriots a 30-7 lead. It also made the home crowd lose their minds with more “MVP” chants breaking out.
Garrett is special
Myles Garrett was an absolute force on Sunday.
The All-Pro pass rusher finished with a career-high five sacks on Maye. Garrett entered this matchup with five sacks in seven games. Garrett’s fifth sack came at 11:38 of the fourth quarter.
That led to another punt, which Bryce Baringer sent 15 yards. With a short field, the Browns scored their second touchdown when Gabriel connected with David Njoku for an 11-yard touchdown at 9:24 of the fourth quarter. Cleveland’s 2-point conversion was no good.
The Browns attempted an onside kick after the score, but it was recovered by Hooper.
Safety, onside kick highlight end of game
The end of this game was wacky.
Henderson was en route to the best performance of his career when he fumbled near the goal line at 4:59 of the fourth quarter. Less than a minute later, at 4:11 of the fourth quarter, Gabriel was called for intentional grounding in the end zone.
That resulted in a safety for the defense and extended the Patriots lead to 32-13.
The Browns opted for their second onside kick and recovered it when Gage Larvadain jumped up to catch Szmyt’s kick. The Browns didn’t make anything out of the impressive onside kick. They went fourth-and-out, turning the ball over on downs.
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