National Football League

Patriots-Browns Preview

Published Nov. 6, 2010 11:59 p.m. ET

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There are few warm feelings between New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and the city of Cleveland, where his unsuccessful stint finished with the Browns moving to Baltimore.

Even less fondness may exist between Belichick and the Browns' current coach.

Eric Mangini hopes his team can build on a stunning upset as the Browns return to action Sunday and host his former mentor and the NFL-leading Patriots, whose primary concern will be extending their winning streak to six.

Mangini was an assistant under Belichick in New England from 2000-05 before he became the coach of the rival New York Jets in 2006 and developed a frosty relationship with Belichick after sparking the "Spygate" scandal.

Mangini said the relationship hasn't changed in the last few years.

"I think everything takes care of itself over time," Mangini said. "He's had a lot to focus on, I've had a lot to focus on so it's just one of those things right now."

Adding further intrigue to the pair's eighth meeting is its location in Cleveland, which hired Mangini in 2009 following his firing by the Jets.

Belichick was unpopular while posting a 37-45 record with the Browns during his first NFL head coaching stint from 1991-95, which coincided with the final years before owner Art Modell turned the franchise's original version into the Baltimore Ravens.

"Right now, it's just trying to get my team ready, get the Patriots ready to play the Browns," Belichick said. "It's not really about any personal thing."

He lost 19-11 in Cleveland in his first season with the Patriots in 2000 but won 42-15 there Dec. 5, 2004, and the Patriots have won their last four overall meetings with the Browns.

Despite trading away star receiver Randy Moss and starting five rookies on defense, New England (6-1) has won its last five, matching its longest winning streak since its then-NFL record 21-game regular-season run from 2006-08. The Patriots are the only NFL team with fewer than two losses.

"We've got a lot of young players, but I don't really care about all that," Belichick said. "What I care about is how the team functions as a unit."

The defense has shown steady improvement, ranking 28th in yards allowed but holding opponents to 20 or fewer points in each of the last four games.

Tom Brady and the offense, meanwhile, have largely remained efficient without Moss, getting contributions from unheralded players like BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.

Green-Ellis ran 17 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns while Brady threw a 65-yard pass for Brandon Tate's first career receiving touchdown to spark a 28-18 home win over Minnesota last Sunday.

"We're winning close games. We're winning tough games and I think that's what it takes," Brady said. "You've got to win on the road. You've got to beat good teams. You've got to win when you're down."

New England will get even better this week with the return of Logan Mankins. The two-time Pro Bowl guard, who ended a holdout and reported to the team Tuesday, was activated Saturday.

"The guys are jumping for joy," running backs coach Ivan Fears said. "Having another playmaker like him coming back to play for us? Sure. Plus he's fresh. We're kind of excited about it."

The Browns (2-5) should be fresh coming out of their bye week, which they enjoyed on the heels of a shocking 30-17 road win over New Orleans.

Cleveland intercepted Drew Brees four times - two returned for touchdowns by linebacker David Bowens - and beat the Saints with a series of trick plays, including a 68-yard run on a fake punt and a 13-yard pass from running back Peyton Hillis to quarterback Colt McCoy.

With veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace still dealing with sprained ankles, McCoy will get his third straight start and first at home. The rookie wasn't asked to do much against New Orleans, going 9 of 16 for 74 yards, but the Browns have been pleased with his progress.

"The playing time (McCoy) has gotten has been great," Mangini said, "and the things he has shown have been really positive."

McCoy isn't the only one trying to prove himself. While Mangini was retained by new team president Mike Holmgren in the offseason, there are no guarantees about the coach's status amid the Browns' rebuilding efforts beyond this year.

"Wins and losses, that's not the only criteria," Holmgren said Tuesday. "... It's premature at this point (to judge Mangini). Let's let the season play out and then I'll make the decision at the end of the year."

A win over New England would be especially fulfilling for Mangini, whose Jets teams went 2-5 against the Patriots from 2006-08, including a playoff loss after the 2006 season.

It will also be a reunion for Cleveland tight end Benjamin Watson, who will face the Patriots for the first time. He spent the last six years with New England, which drafted him in the first round in 2004. Watson leads the Browns in receptions (30) and receiving yards (336).

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