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Three key matchups to watch as Patriots travel to Cleveland

By Fran Brown

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Davon Godchaux #92 of the New England Patriots reacts after a turnover on downs during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Davon Godchaux #92 of the New England Patriots reacts after a turnover on downs during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images) /

Key matchups for the Patriots in week six

Davon Godchaux/Christian Barmore/Carl Davis vs. Ethan Pocic/Wyatt Teller/Joel Bitonio

The big question here for the Patriots is if Lawrence Guy will be able to go after missing the past two games with an injury suffered against the Ravens. Without Guy in the lineup, the Patriots run defense has struggled but showed signs of improvement against the Lions, albeit without De’Andre Swift. As the Browns have the best rushing game (192.4 yards per game), stopping the duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is going to be the biggest focus for the Patriots defense.

Stopping the run means winning the battle at the line of scrimmage against a very good interior line from the Cleveland Browns. Bitonio, Teller, and Pocic anchor what is PFF’s second-best offensive line and have been a huge reason why the Browns are able to run the ball. This is game is a good opportunity for Davon Godchaux to prove he was worth a contract extension and the Patriots will need much more from Barmore, who has been less than stellar against the run.

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