Offense struggles to find rhythm and sustain drives
On their opening offensive drive, QB Dillon Gabriel moved the Browns down field, utilizing the both the run and pass game throughout the drive. He connected with TE Harold Fannin Jr. for a 19-yard completion, while WR Malachi Corley took off for a 31-yard rush and RB Quinshon Judkins with two short yard gains. Gabriel then found Fannin for the 18-yard reception in the end zone.
However, following the touchdown, the Browns struggled to develop an offensive rhythm. The Patriots' run defense – which had given up the third-fewest rushing yards allowed per game heading into Week 8 – bottled up Judkins and the run game. Judkins finished the game with nine carries for 19 rushing yards before a shoulder injury in the third quarter, and the Browns totaled 68 net rushing yards.
"We were explosive in that first drive, and want to continue to create that," Gabriel said. "But sustaining, third downs is where we need to be better at, and it starts with me for sure."
The Browns were not able to convert on nine of their 11 third-down attempts throughout the game and totaled just 12 first downs. They also turned the ball over on downs twice in the fourth quarter.
"We have to find a way to stay on the football field, stay out of 3rd down. If we are in 3rd down, we have to convert," Stefanski said.
As they went down three touchdowns in the third quarter, the Browns tried to use the pass game to move the ball downfield. However, New England limited Gabriel's ability to consistently connect with his pass catchers, as Gabriel completed 21 of 35 passing attempts for 156 yards and two interceptions – his first two interceptions this season.
"He' been protecting the ball, 100 percent ball security so far," G Wyatt Teller said. "A couple balls got away from him and that stinks because I don't know many guys, young guys, or old guys, that work as hard as him."
Gabriel and the Browns put together one late scoring drive in the fourth quarter. In three plays, which included a 4-yard run by RB Dylan Sampson, an 11-yard completion to Sampson and then an 11-yard completion to TE David Njoku in the end zone – the Browns added their second touchdown of the day. However, that successful drive was not enough to close the gap for the Browns to overcome the deficit they were in.