The Browns had the right idea.
Challenge Drake Maye by pressing his receivers in man coverage. Smash his running backs in short-yardage. Unleash Myles Garrett on most of his offensive lineman by bouncing him around the formation so that none of them could rest easy.
At halftime, Maye was 3-of-8 for 68 yards and an interception versus man-to-man coverage. He’d taken four sacks. Cleveland trailed 9-7, having lived up to its reputation as one of the NFL’s most ferocious defenses by putting the clamps on a leading MVP candidate.
But the thing about great players, and especially those in the running for MVP, is they are inevitable. The dam always breaks. It’s just a matter of how much water you take on while trying to fight back.
Once Josh McDaniels unlocked the Browns defense in the third quarter with perimeter runs that exploited their man-heavy approach and surprised them with a double-pass, Maye hit an easy touchdown throw that gave the Patriots some breathing room. From there, he took control.
He ripped a 1-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs. He scrambled for 28 yards against a man-blitz. And for his final stroke in a masterpiece of a third quarter, Maye launched a 39-yard touchdown to Kayshon Boutte in single coverage that rendered the fourth quarter a formality.
When he woke up Monday, Maye owned the third-best odds of winning MVP. There is no quarterback playing better than him.
Maye turned the best defense he’s ever played, one powered by the best player he’s ever faced and organized by the most effective game plan the Pats have seen yet, into a piñata. And with half a season left to go, he’s not done swinging yet.
Here’s what else the film revealed about the Patriots’ latest win:
Drake Maye
18-of-24 for 282 yards, 3 TDs, INT, 6 sacks, 50 rushing yards
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye scrambles during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye scrambles during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Accurate throw percentage: 82.6%
Under pressure: 6-of-8 for 73 yards, 6 sacks, 50 rushing yards
Against the blitz: 5-of-6 for 47 yards, sack, 34 rushing yards
Behind the line: N/A
0-9 yards downfield: 10-of-13 for 83 yards, 2 TDs, INT
10-19 yards downfield: 4-of-5 for 64 yards
20+ yards downfield: 4-of-5 for 135 yards, TD
Notes: Not his best performance of the season, but certainly the most meaningful.
Maye’s resilience fueled his rebound from a horrendous interception early in the second quarter that was equal parts bad decision and bad throw. Maye rolled left and wanted to thread the ball to a double-covered Stefon Diggs on third down; another example of his tendency to seek Diggs on critical downs. But the ball never got there because linebacker Carson Schwesinger nabbed it from his underneath zone.
Maye caught a break on the next series, exploiting three straight snaps of zone coverage with three completions for 58 yards that led to a field goal. He instantly recognized a breakdown in Cover 2 on the first pass, a 31-yard seam throw to Austin Hooper that most quarterbacks with his experience would not have seen so quickly. Maye struck again against Cover 2 on the next play, correctly diagnosing the defense pre-snap before he floated the ball to Mack Hollins, running a corner route, toward the right sideline.
Patriots QB Drake Maye builds on MVP case, shreds Browns with perfect 2nd half in blowout win
While that possession ended in a sack, Maye extended the next series by rolling outside the pocket and finding DeMario Douglas on a busted snap of man-to-man coverage for 44 yards. His mobility and toughness were essential to the Patriots' ability to sustain drives, including the opening series of the second half when he scrambled for six yards and later got clobbered while standing in to finish a double-pass trick play. He is a preternatural passer and processor whose athleticism and toughness have hastened his development beyond anyone's expectations.
And the accuracy remains otherworldly. Going 8-of-10 for 199 yards and a touchdown on passes longer than 10 yards downfield, particularly against an elite defense, is a stat line reserved for the best of the best.
Now, Maye must avoid mistakes, like the interception, when rolling to his left. Defenses know he wants to escape up the middle or roll right when extending plays. Most of his rushing yards came on two scrambles up the middle.
Maye has also taken 28 sacks this season, punishment that will add up if that pace continues. He must find a way to throw the ball away more often instead of taking unnecessary hits that could lead to injury later, but haven't hurt him yet. Chalk it up to the perks of being 23.
Critical areas
Turnovers: Patriots 2, Browns 2
Explosive play rate: Patriots 13.8%, Browns 5.8%
Success rate: Patriots 49.2%, Browns 30%
Red-zone efficiency: Patriots 2-6, Browns 2-3
Defensive pressure rate: Patriots 39%, Browns 50%
Offense
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs celebrates his touchdown during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs celebrates his touchdown during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Game plan
Personnel breakdown: 46% of snaps in 11 personnel, 29.5% snaps in 12 personnel, 18% snaps in 21F personnel, 1.5% snaps in 21H personnel, 5% snaps in 22 personnel.***
Personnel production: 46% success rate in 11 personnel, 28% success rate in 12 personnel, 63% success rate in 21F personnel, 100% success rate in 21H personnel, 100% success rate in 22 personnel.
First-down down play-calls: 52% run (25% success rate), 48% pass (60% success rate)
Play-action rate: 29.4%
The Patriots cracked the NFL's best rush defense by complementing the run plays that worked best for them in Tennessee — inside zone and duo — with similar concepts that punished the aggressiveness of the Browns' defensive line.
McDaniels dialed up inside "wham" plays and trap blocks that hit defensive tackles Mason Graham and Maliek Collins from different angles and neutralize the havoc they created by immediately rushing upfield. TreVeyon Henderson covered 12 yards on a wham run, then 18 more on a misdirection toss where fullback Jack Westover and right guard Mike Onwenu presented false keys that indicated an inside run while Henderson zipped outside.
Later, as the Patriots struggled to find passing answers to Cleveland's man-coverage, McDaniels called outside runs that forced their cornerbacks to support the run and their defensive ends to think twice about rushing upfield. Henderson gained 27 yards on a pin-and-pull toss away from Myles Garrett, then the Pats ran a jet sweep, crack toss and speed option run; more plays designed to negate a strong edge rush and involve weaker-tackling corners. They finished with 177 rushing yards, thanks partly to Maye's scrambling; another weapon versus man-to-man.
Unfortunately, McDaniels' plan to slow Garrett — featuring regular double-teams and/or chips from tight ends and running backs — was not effective whatsoever. Garrett pocketed two sacks while rookie left tackle Will Campbell while Campbell had help from Hunter Henry. The Patriots later resorted to basic quick passing concepts and some moving pockets.
Player stats
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson stiff arms Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson stiff arms Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Broken tackles: RB TreVeyon Henderson 5, RB Rhamondre Stevenson 3, QB Drake Maye
Pressure allowed: Team 6 (2 sacks, QB hit, 3 hurries), LG Jared Wilson 3 (sack, QB hit, hurry), RT Morgan Moses 3 (sack, 2 hurries), LT Will Campbell 2 (2 sacks), RG Mike Onwenu 2 (2 hurries), QB Drake Maye (sack)
Run-stuffs allowed: Team 3, Moses 2, Wilson, C Garrett Bradbury
Drops: WR Kayshon Boutte
Notes
Welcome back, TreVeyon Henderson. The rookie's late fumble spoiled what was otherwise his best game yet, thanks both to his 75 rushing yards and some improved snaps in blitz pickup.
The fumble, of course, cannot be excused, but Henderson's development is essential to the Patriots fulfilling the best version of their offense. His speed offers them a unique weapon, one he teased on those perimeter runs and a few option concepts.
Rhamondre Stevenson continues to run hard, freed (for now) from the demons that followed his fumbling issues early in the season. His running lanes were far more crowded than Henderson's, as reflected in his 44 yards after contact and 34 rushing yards total.
Nice day from fullback Jack Westover, who mostly has been a disappointment. Westover helped clear runs of 12, 18 and nine yards on the Pats' initial snaps of 21F personnel, which set up Hooper's 31-yard catch from that personnel in the second quarter.
Speaking of Hooper, Sunday featured one of his best games this year. Even while the Patriots continue to struggle when running from 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends), Hooper is impactful as a blocker, and created an explosive play with his long grab.
The Patriots did well exploiting Mack Hollins' newly emphasized role as a run-blocker, both in multi-tight end sets and spread personnel. He caught multiple passes off play-action.
Kayshon Boutte remains a menace deep. His route-running is leaps and bounds better than it was, as seen on his double-move that beat backup Browns corner Dom Jones for a touchdown.
Quiet day for Stefon Diggs (three catches, 14 yards), aside from his touchdown on a pick play; perhaps a function of all the man-to-man coverage.
DeMario Douglas got away with an obvious push-off on his 44-yard catch in the second quarter. He dumped Browns safety Grant Delpit, who also had the coverage bust on Hooper's catch and got beat on Hunter Henry's touchdown.
Up front, only center Garrett Bradbury escaped without allowing a pressure. However, Bradbury was turnstiled a few times when run-blocking, where the Patriots allowed seven run-stuffs.
On the flip side, the Pats' second-level blocking was worlds better. Bradbury and guards Jared Wilson reached and erased the Browns' linebackers on several snaps, even as backside blockers who kept pursuing tacklers from chasing Henderson or Stevenson down.
Credit to right tackle Morgan Moses for also leading the way on a few outside runs, even if he allowed the one sack.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell blocked better than his two-sack outing would indicate, especially considering the competition. Campbell, though, now leads the Patriots in allowed sacks with four.
Defense
Foxboro, MA - Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is hauled down by pack of Patriots during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is hauled down by pack of Patriots during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Game plan
Personnel breakdown: 76% three-corner nickel package, 18% base defense, 6% goal-line.****
Coverage breakdown: 83% zone, 17% man
Blitz rate: 18.4%
Blitz efficacy: 28.5% offensive success rate and 5.0 yards per play allowed (1 INT and safety)
No running allowed.
The Patriots beefed up on their opening snap with a rarely seen defensive package built on a combined eight defensive linemen and linebackers. That quickly discouraged Cleveland from rushing through big-bodied personnel, though the Browns tried to no avail against the Pats' base and nickel personnel packages. Holding rookie Quinshon Judkins to just 19 yards was a major victory, and blocked Cleveland's most direct path to an upset.
Otherwise, defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr got burned on his first two blitzes, including an aggressive call on Gabriel's first touchdown, then timed the rest perfectly (see: Robert Spillane's interception and the fourth-quarter safety). Kuhr again relied heavily on zone coverage, but for the first time all season tasked star corner Christian Gonzalez with shadowing an opposing receiver.
Gonzalez held Browns top target Jerry Jeudy to zero catches while shadowing him part-time and even in zone coverage. The Pats' pass defense only lagged from inconsistent pass rush, which involved stunts and looping pressures opposite left tackle Cam Robinson, one of the worst starters at his position in the league. The front also flexed into five-man fronts to create 1-on-1 rushing opportunities for their defensive linemen.
Player stats
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane celebrates his interception during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane celebrates his interception during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Interceptions: LB Robert Spillane, S Jaylinn Hawkins
Pressure: DL Christian Barmore 4 (4 hurries), DL MIlton Williams 3 (QB hitt, 2 hurries), OLB K'Lavon Chaisson 2 (2 hurries), Spillane 2 (2 hurries), OLB Anfernee Jennings (sack), DT Khyris Tonga (hurry), OLB Harold Landry (hurry), Team (hurry)
Run-stuffs: Team 2
Pass deflections: CB Christian Gonzalez 2, CB Marcus Jones 2, Williams, Farmer
Missed tackles: Jones 2, CB Carlton Davis, S Craig Woodson, Barmore, Chaisson, Spillane
Notes
In major Patriots news, Christian Gonzalez has returned to form. That fundamentally changes how the Pats can play defense, and how good their defense can be.
Another veteran on the rise: Robert Spillane. After possibly allowing the opening touchdown to Browns tight end Harold Fannin, Spillane was everywhere; diagnosing run plays, discouraging throws and snagging an interception in the second half. A monster.
What's up with another slow start? Inside linebacker Marte Mapu gave too much cushion to Fannin on third-and-long, then got picked by a crossing route to give up a first down. Marcus Jones and Craig Woodson then missed tackles on a 31-yard jet sweep run, and the Browns hit on a game-planned play-action on Fannin's touchdown.
Otherwise, with a short-circuited run game, limited weaponry and a weak-armed rookie quarterback, Cleveland was drawing dead. And their coaching staff knew it, calling two trick plays in a three-play span in the second quarter.
The Pats' pressure rate overstated the impact of their pass rush. Christian Barmore led with four hurries and Milton Williams had three, but Gabriel was hit just twice.
Several backups made an impact, particularly against the run. Hat tips to defensive tackles Khyris Tonga (TFL and a hurry) and Cory Durden, linebacker Jahlani Tavai and outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who collected a clean-up sack.
Durden and rookie defensive tackle Joshua Farmer have both been unheralded in recent weeks, playing with tremendous effort. Farmer tipped an attempted shovel pass.
The Browns ran with decent success at edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, a frequent target of opposing run games, even when Chaisson did not align at his usual right outside linebacker position.
Tough outing for rookie safety Craig Woodson, who missed a tackle that furthered an explosive run on the opening series and couldn't break up Gabriel's second touchdown pass to David Njoku.
Credit to safety Jaylinn Hawkins for a spectacular, one-handed interception. He's been an unexpected playmaker.
*Explosive plays are defined as runs of 12-plus yards and passes of 20-plus yards.
**Success rate is an efficiency metric measuring how often an offense stays on schedule. A play is successful when it produces positive EPA (Expected Points Added).
***11 personnel = one running back, one tight end; 12 personnel = one running back, two tight ends; 21F personnel = two backs, one tight end; 21H = two halfbacks, one tight end.
****Base defense = four defensive backs; nickel = five; goal-line = three.