New England Patriots

Patriots at Browns Week 5: 3 things we learned

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Cleveland Browns learned how far they have to go to become a winner after being dominated on both sides of the ball by the New England Patriots in Week 5.

Granted, having to play a fourth quarterback in five games hardly helped the Browns’ chances. But the Pats were already looking ominously effective before Cody Kessler was knocked out of the game by Dont’a Hightower.

In the end, a 33-13 mauling was about all the Brown deserved. They merited nothing more after letting quarterback Tom Brady eclipse 400 yards passing on his first game back from suspension. They merited little else after failing to establish their ground game against New England’s front seven, nor for not preparing for the Pats’ now familiar inside blitzes.

Here’s what we learned about both teams after Week 5:

3. Big names not delivering on defense

Cleveland’s defense isn’t about to remind anyone of the ’85 Chicago Bears. But coordinator Ray Horton’s unit should still be stouter, considering some of the notable names at his disposal.

The problem is touted players such as cornerback Joe Haden, middle linebacker Demario Davis and nose tackle Danny Shelton. Haden in particular was a letdown against the Patriots.

He’s supposedly one of the NFL‘s premier cover men, but Haden was burned for 114 yards by Chris Hogan. The wideout the Buffalo Bills didn’t want twice beat Haden on deep routes, where it was one-on-one up the field. It’s just not supposed to happen to a defensive back with Haden’s reputation.

Similarly, no front seven with Shelton lined up over the ball and Davis lurking, blocker-free behind him, should be so soft against the run. The Browns only allowed 98 rushing yards this week, but that was merely because Brady and the Pats were enjoying themselves through the air so much.

Cleveland entered the game with the 24th-ranked rush defense in football. If teams want to run on the Browns they will without too much difficulty.

2. Hue Jackson needs to prepare better

Jackson got the Browns gig based on his perceived nous as a shrewd designer of offenses. But less than ideal preparation was shown up against the Patriots.

It was obvious the moment Hightower blitzed untouched through the middle to flatten Kessler and create the need for Charlie Whitehurst. Hightower had already detonated one possession with a signature blitz up the gut.

The things is linebackers blitzing the middle for the Patriots is not new news. In fact, it’s hardly even a surprise anymore. Get into any kind of third down against the New England D’ and one of Hightower of fellow ‘backer Jamie Collins will blitz.

It’s the one thing every opponent on the schedule should be prepared for. Blockers have to know how to react to these pressure looks, while a quarterback must have receivers adjust their hot reads to exploit the void behind.

Jackson’s Browns fell down on both counts this week, and Kessler paid the price.

1. New England’s front seven deserves more respect

If the Browns defensive front is failing to deliver, the Pats’ version continues to quietly about go about its business. It’s the business of taking away an offense’s strength week to week.

This week that meant snuffing out what had been the No.1 running game in football. However, that ranking looked like a mirage as soon as underrated nose tackle Alan Branch started swatting off blockers like flies and suffocating runs at their source.

Branch led the way for a swarming rush defense that rendered Cleveland’s ground game to a feeble crawl. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe revealed how little running room the Pats were allowing:

Underrated is the watchword for this group. How else do you explain how the Browns could let Jabaal Sheard, a terrifically versatile pass-rusher end up in New England? Why would the Los Angeles Rams wave goodbye so casually to a veteran as savvy Chris Long, even after a couple of subpar seasons?

Trench warriors disrespected elsewhere find a home in New England, where they’re asked to do only what suits their particular strengths. It’s a formula that’s made the Patriots sneaky good on defense for some time.

The Patriots are what they’re expected to be. Unfortunately, so are these Browns.

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