3 Keys to a Patriots Victory in Week 8 vs Browns
The undefeated New England Patriots are back Sunday afternoon in what looked to be a very intriguing matchup before the season started against the Cleveland Browns. Now, that's not quite the case.
While the Browns have been a disappointment this season, racking up a lowly 2-4 record through seven weeks of the regular, they still have plenty of stars on both offense and defense, which makes them sleeper for any team that doesn't prepare for Cleveland's A-game.
Let's look at three keys that will help New England come out with a victory over the Browns in Week 8 action.
1) Stephon Gilmore needs to get the best of Odell Beckham Jr.
This is going to be fun to watch. The best cornerback in the game in Stephon Gilmore, versus one of the better wide receivers in the NFL in Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham can still make spectacular plays even with coverage draped all over him, but he has not gone up against someone like Gilmore. He can take slant route 80 yards to the end zone as well as take the top off the defense with plays down the field. However, Odell only has one touchdown on the season, as the Browns haven’t been the high-powered offense they were projected to be. Regardless, Gilmore and New England haven’t faced a wide receiver like Beckham this year, so expect Gilmore to have more help over the top from Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon than usual.
Against the Jets, the Patriots played a lot of zero blitz, meaning there is no safety protecting the deep part of the field. Don’t expect New England to play a lot of that because of the potential explosiveness of Beckham and Jarvis Landry.
Gilmore and Beckham will be the game within the game on Sunday.
2) Mohamed Sanu’s debut goes well
The Patriots acquired Mohamed Sanu for a second-round pick earlier this week. While Sanu hasn’t had much time to get acclimated to the Patriots offense, expect him to suit up. Sanu isn’t the first big name receiver to join the Patriots mid-season, as Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown have done it as well (though you know how those have turned out).
In Gordon’s first game in New England, he caught two catches on two targets. Brown was electric in his first and only game with the Patriots as he caught four balls on eight targets and a touchdown. Mohamed Sanu’s debut should fall somewhere in the middle. With as thin as the Patriots are at wide receiver, expect Sanu to get looks early and often.
3) Contain Nick Chubb
If there has been one bright spot for the Browns this year, it has been the play of Nick Chubb. The second year running back has become one of the better running backs this season, accumulating 607 yards rushing yards, six touchdowns and averaging 5.3 yard per carry.
Cleveland's offense is at its best when it's run through Chubb. He can allow the Browns to control the clock and open up their play action passing game for Baker Mayfield to find Beckham and Jarvis Landry.
It is vital for the Patriots to find a way to slow down Chubb.
Early preseason predictions had this game as a battle for AFC supremacy. While the Browns have a disappointing record, they still have plenty of dangerous weapons to throw at New England. They are also coming off their bye week, so expect Cleveland to throw a few wrinkles against the Patriots. Don’t expect a 33-0 blowout this week like we saw against the New York Jets last week.
