The New England Patriots (6-2) hosted the Cleveland Browns (2-6) for the first time since 2021, and it wasn’t a nice welcome as the Patriots beat down the Browns 32-13.
It was a slow start, but the Patriots finished with a season-high in passing yards (282) and rushing yards (177). Here are six takeaways from the Patriots’ 19-point blowout victory over the Browns in Week 8.
1. Another Slow Start for Patriots LBs
The Patriots struggled to defend the middle of the field throughout the entire game, but especially in the first half, and it follows the trend of starting slow this season.
When the defense starts slow and allows points on the opening drive of the game (six times in eight weeks), it puts the offense in a tough position, even though the group is ascending with second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, and Marte Mapu all missed tackles that amounted to quality gains for Cleveland by rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. He carved up 63 yards and a touchdown, connecting with six different receivers.
The linebackers straightened out in the second half with solid play. Spillane made great stops and had an interception, his second of the season. They did a great job of holding their own, even though they allowed for many chunk plays to get down the field.
Moving forward, this group needs to have better starts to games.
2. Patriots Use RB TreVeyon Henderson As Change of Pace Back
The Patriots have struggled to find ways for rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson to get going so far this season, as he’s battling the inevitable speed bump of being a rookie in the NFL.
In Week 8, however, New England was creative in the way they used Henderson, which is how he can be the most productive with his skillset. Henderson was running most of the quick pitches and sweeps to get him on the outside to use his speed and his elusiveness to get down the field.
Henderson had a career game, seeing 10 carries for 75 yards, but he did have a goal-line fumble, which has been common for the Patriots’ running backs this season.
3. Patriots Offensive Line Struggles To Protect Maye
The Patriots' all-rookie left side of the offensive line, featuring Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, floundered against Myles Garrett, the best defensive lineman in the NFL, as the Browns defender sacked Maye five times, setting a new career-high.
Although the rookie pair have been great, this was going to be the biggest test of the season for them to show that they can protect Maye against one of the top defenses in the league. I’d say they failed the test in that regard, but they did a solid job in the run game, as this was a season-high in rushing yards for New England (177).
4. Kayshon Boutte is Patriots WR 1
The Patriots finally have a wide receiver they can depend on, and he’s been on the team for the past three years in Kayshon Boutte. Maye relies on him to make the challenging catches and move the chains for the Patriots.
This season, Boutte’s 23 receptions have gone for 19 first downs. He is the true X-receiver for the Pats and continues to prove why in each week, averaging 53.9 receiving yards per game, and has five touchdowns in eight games this season.
Boutte finished with three receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
5. Drake Maye Continues to Shine For Patriots
By looking at the box score, you’d think Maye had an easy game, finishing 18-of-24 for 282 yards and three touchdown passes. But it was far from easy for Maye, who was sacked six times, five of which were by Myles Garrett.
Maye can remain composed throughout every series, and it really showed in this game. Every time he was sacked, he got up and went on to the next play.
Maye’s advancement in his second year allows for this young offensive line to develop and improve without being too much of a setback for him and the offense as a whole, despite Maye being a young player himself.
This was the second time this season that Maye tossed three touchdown passes in a game, giving him 15 through eight games this season.
6. Consistent Kicking From Patriots Rookie Andy Borregales
Although he’s earned a game ball and much praise from Coach Vrabel, rookie kicker Andy Borregales deserves to have a little more shine go his way for what he’s been able to do in his first season in New England.
Borregales has been perfect on his kicks over the last six weeks, totaling five field goals and 16 extra points. The rookie hasn’t missed a kick since Week 2.
After a slow start to his career, Borregales has shown major improvements and is the consistent kicker that the Patriots were hoping for when they drafted him in the sixth round.