Seven Takeaways As Surging Patriots Trounce Browns

The New England Patriots pushed their winning streak to five games with a 32-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

It’s the first time they’ve won that many consecutive games in four seasons, which is a statistic we seem to reference just about every week.

New England had a few familiar trends unfold — both positive and negative, but also learned plenty about what it will take to continue pushing that winning streak even further on the calendar. I’ve got your takeaways:

EARLY DEFENSE

The Patriots’ defense has been looking to start faster, and has exhausted just about every option throughout the last few weeks in order to do so.

It’s just not working…

Patriots senior defensive assistant Ben McAdoo, who called offensive plays across stints with three different franchises, was tasked with creating an offensive script for his defensive unit to follow this week in practice, according to head coach Mike Vrabel’s weekly interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

New England responded to the real script by giving up plays of 19, 31 and 18 yards on an opening drive that resulted in a touchdown for Cleveland, the sixth opening-drive score allowed by that unit in eight games.

Back to the drawing board.

LATE DEFENSE

New England might not be able to stop a nosebleed on the first few drives of each game, but that unit has proven to be one of the second-half defensive teams in the NFL.

The Patriots are allowing just 147.25 yards and 8.0 points per second half this season, which include back-to-back-back weeks were they’ve allowed a total of 282 yards and eight points against the Browns, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints. They’ve also forces a league-leading 12 turnovers in the second half this season.

It’s a unit that is not only taking care of business, but getting better throughout the course of each individual game and the season.

DEADLINE NEEDS ARE OBVIOUS

New England actually had two tremendous reps to start that opening drive, with Khyiris Tonga blowing up a running back screen and Milton Williams stuffing an inside run to setup a 3rd-and-11.

Patriots interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr then called for a long-developing stunt to try and apply some pressure in the obvious passing situation, leading to an easy conversion between rookies Dillon Gabriel and Harold Fannin Jr.

It’s abundantly clear that pass-rush help will be needed in order for this defense to continue being competitive as the level of competition begins to rise over the coming weeks, especially with Keion White becoming a healthy scratch and Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings continuing to occupy the injury report.

I’d imagine we see someone added to that group in the coming days, which might coincide with the departure of a certain former second-round pick.

SETTLE DOWN, GUNSLINGER (PART II)

Drake Maye starts rather slowly, which is something we touched on last week by providing a quarter-by-quarter passing breakdown.

It’s clockwork, just like his ability to bounce back as soon as they flip the field.

Maye missed three early throws, including one that landed behind Stefon Diggs sown at the goal line and another at the start of the second quarter that was stepped in front of and picked off by Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger. New England was happy to see its young superstar return to form with some truly absurd throws later in the victory.

WELCOME TO THE NFL

Will Campbell has looked more than worthy of his draft status through the first couple months of the season, but still has some room to grow if he wants to match the level of certain guys.

Myles Garrett, to be specific.

Garrett, the best defensive player on the planet, had five pressures and three sacks in the first half when lined up against the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Patriots adjusted by sliding protection in the veteran’s direction instead of chipping him and throwing off the timing of their rookie — which proved to be the right move.

Garrett started moving around again in the second half, where he added another pair of sacks to bring his daily total to five — a new career best.

a history-making sack for @flash_garrett!!#CLEvsNE on FOX and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/xxivvX2I98

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 26, 2025

DISASTROUS FINISH

TreVeyon Henderson was finally made a feature player in the running game, rewarding the coaching staff’s trust with 77 yards on 10 carries, leading the club in rushing for the very first time this season.

Then, he fumbled.

Henderson was just a few yards from capping off his day with a touchdown, but was stripped and ended up losing his first fumble since high school. New England has some rough decisions to make regarding the running back room, which has done everything right outside of holding onto the football.

The Patriots also allowed an onside kick recovery, which will provide the coaching staff with some more ammunition this week.

DIGGS DOING THE DANCE

Stefon Diggs finally found his way into the end zone, scoring his first touchdown on the season in what was a designed target down at the goal line — with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels seemingly making it a point of emphasis to get him into the end zone after having him targeted earlier in the game.

Diggs’ on-field contributions have been incredible, but the reaction after his score helps tell the story of just how valuable his contributions have been in the building. Maye, Vrabel, McDaniels and just about everyone else who is employed by the franchise joined in the veteran’s celebration, which included the classic hand-waving gesture as well as a… pump.

Gillette Stadium loves the guy, and will continue to do so as long as he keeps serving as the offense’s most valuable playmaker.