3 stats that proved Patriots’ dominance in victory over Browns
1. Baker Mayfield: 11/21 for 73 yards, one TD and one INT
You got the feeling the Browns were going to have to win this one through the air with running backs Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19. After ridding themselves of Odell Beckham Jr., there was a chance Baker Mayfield and Co. continued finding their groove after dismantling the Bengals.
Nope! Sorry, not against the Patriots’ defense, which has been lights out for about a month now. Mayfield was held to 73 yards passing before leaving the game with an injury after taking a big hit from pass rusher Matt Judon. Case Keenum took over late in the third and went 8-of-12 for 84 yards.
Holding Mayfield to those numbers after almost three full quarters though was crucial, however, because there was no way third-string running back D’Ernest Johnson was going to take down the Pats all by himself. Though he rushed 19 times for 99 yards, the Browns were going to have to lean on the aerial attack as the game progressed because Jones and Co. continued to respond, going into the half with a 24-7 lead.
This was shaping up to be Mayfield’s worst game of the season, by far, before his injury. It was the first time he was held under 100 yards passing and just the second time under 200 yards.
New England’s pass rush was relentless, logging 10 QB hits and five sacks. The defense is coming together to be one of the best all-around units in the league, which is perfect timing. For the doubters out there saying the Patriots won’t be able to make a run for the AFC East … their remaining matchups are against the Falcons, Titans, Bills (twice), Colts, Jaguars and Dolphins. All winnable games.
Taking care of business against the Browns was the first step, but it showed exactly what this Patriots’ team is capable of.
