Pre-game thread: Wk 14 vs Browns

Pats vs Browns: NE favored by 10

  • Pats by 10+

    Votes: 42 62.7%
  • Pats by 9 or less

    Votes: 24 35.8%
  • Browns by 9 or less

    Votes: 1 1.5%
  • Browns by 10+

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    67

SeoulSoxFan

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A Scud Away from Hell
Brady & Co. continue their December dominance (45-6 since 2001) with week 14 contest against the Browns at home.
 
NE has climbed steadily in total DVOA, with #5 ranking (20.1%) vs. 28th ranked Browns (-20.6%).
 
The weakest areas for the Browns play right into the surging Pats pass attack:
  • -21.8 PFF pass rush rating
  • -11.9 PFF pass coverage rating
Besides the outstanding bracketing secondary duo in CB Joe Haden (although his plays has slipped the last two weeks) and SS T.J. Ward (2nd highest rated Browns player with 13.6), the only other worrying spot may be solid DL group, led by Ahtyba Rubin, John Hughes (11 QB hurries), and Phil Taylor. 
 
Browns also rush their LBs a lot from their base 3-4. Paul Kruger leads the team with 29 QB hurries, followed by Sheard (18) and the rookie Barkevious Mingo (13). 
 
However, Pats can really exploit the right side of the field with undisciplined FS Tashaun Gipson & RCB Buster Skrine.
 
Offensively, it's really The Josh Gordon Show, 1st-in-history to have back-to-back 200 yards receiving (237 last week, 267 the week before). Also leads the league in avg/catch, and allows Browns to salvage points (avg. 19.3 points / game, good for 28th in the league). 
 
Lately, the biggest problem for Cleveland has been turnovers -- with 4 TOs in two divisional losses to Bengals and Steelers and 3 against Jags that led to 13 Jax points. 
 
Although the QB starved Browns just signed Caleb Hanie, it looks like Weeden again this Sunday if he gets clearance after being concussed vs. loss to the Jags. 
 
Solid, comfortable win expected: 34-17 Pats. 
 

Tony C

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good intro, but I thought I read Weeden was most likely out but that Campbell had a chance to return from his concussion?
 

Stitch01

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Goddammit I thought we were getting Weeden.
 
Trick shot Tanney would be a good draw too I guess.
 
Pats will kill this team.
 

dynomite

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We're going to win this one, but I'm more concerned than usual due to recent memory: Week 2 of 2012, Cardinals (20) @ Patriots (18).
 
Now, obviously the Browns don't have the Cardinals defensive personnel from 2012.  But Ray Horton was the Cardinals defensive coordinator for that upset last season, and now serves in the same role on the Browns.  McDaniels talked to the media this week and was laudatory about the Browns defense (surprise, surprise) and Horton's schemes in particular, referencing that game and the difficulty of moving the ball on them.
 
It was a strange game, obviously: up 9-6 late in the 3rd quarter the Cardinals blocked a punt at our own 3, then Woodhead's game winning TD was called back on a wildly blown phantom holding call by a replacement ref, and finally Ghost missed the 42 yarder at the whistle.
 
Still, no other team held the Patriots under 20 points last year (until the Ravens :( ), and the Browns still have some serious talent on the defensive side of the ball.  If the Browns are able to win the turnover battle and Brady isn't at his sharpest, this could be an uncomfortably close game.
 

Stitch01

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They just gave up 32 points to the Jaguars and have sort of packed it in after getting beat up by the Bengals.  Id feel better if the Pats had one less banged up receiver, but this one is very unlikely to be close.  Opening line is like 11.5, seems about right, Id bet the Pats if I had to choose.
 

dynomite

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The Cardinals were 14-point underdogs and started Kevin Kolb last year.
 
I'm with you: in all likelihood it's going to be a blowout in the 31-17 range.  The Patriots offense has been putting up points in bunches, and one of these weeks they're going to play a good 60 minutes on both sides of the ball.
 
But it's the NFL, and the Browns have some talented players on that roster.
 

ShaneTrot

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Jerome Boger has been assigned to referee Sunday's game between the Patriots and Browns. Worked Patriots-Jets on Oct. 20.

 
I wonder what is reception will be like.
 

Stitch01

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dynomite said:
The Cardinals were 14-point underdogs and started Kevin Kolb last year.
 
I'm with you: in all likelihood it's going to be a blowout in the 31-17 range.  The Patriots offense has been putting up points in bunches, and one of these weeks they're going to play a good 60 minutes on both sides of the ball.
 
But it's the NFL, and the Browns have some talented players on that roster.
 
Any given Sunday stuff could happen (i.e blocked punts for TDs), but the way the season has unfolded this should be the easiest game on the schedule for the entire season (besides maybe an imploding TB team in week 3).  Kevin Kolb is miles better than whatever the Browns are going to trot out at QB Sunday.  This is closer to the Ryan Lindley led Cardinals the Pats are up against, and I expect similar results.
 

rodderick

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Stitch01 said:
 
Any given Sunday stuff could happen (i.e blocked punts for TDs), but the way the season has unfolded this should be the easiest game on the schedule for the entire season (besides maybe an imploding TB team in week 3).  Kevin Kolb is miles better than whatever the Browns are going to trot out at QB Sunday.  This is closer to the Ryan Lindley led Cardinals the Pats are up against, and I expect similar results.
Jason Campbell is absolutely on Kevin Kolb's level. But I agree that they should win this one going away.
 

Tony C

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I agree on Campbell, he's a competent albeit not good QB. that said, from Rotoworld
 

 

Jason Campbell - QB - Browns


Jason Campbell (concussion) has been cleared to start Sunday's Week 14 game against the Patriots.

Campbell practiced each of the past two days after being cleared for exercise earlier in the week. Campbell's reinsertion into the lineup is good news for Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron owners who were dreading a possible Caleb Hanie or Alex Tanney start. Campbell is Rotoworld's No. 26 QB this week.
 
 
Alas. I'm none too confident about this game. Maybe just ninny-ish worries, but given how tough the pathetic Texans were, I'm not seeing any reason to be overconfident -- there's some talent on defense and wouldn't bet against Gordon going crazy.
 
I'll say Pats win a tight one 30-24.
 

j44thor

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Yeah I think this is finally the week NE puts 4 quarters together.  I expect Gordon/Cameron to catch a few balls though the majority coming in garbage time.  CLE isn't equipped to take advantage of NE clear weakness which is the run D (that feels funny to say).
 
Haden is a top 5 CB but he can't cover Gronk and I don't think Brady cares all that much if they line up Haden on Edelman or Amendola. 
 
I'm thinking this game is over before the 4th Q begins.
 

nothumb

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Tony C said:
 
I agree on Campbell, he's a competent albeit not good QB. that said, from Rotoworld
 

 

 
Alas. I'm none too confident about this game. Maybe just ninny-ish worries, but given how tough the pathetic Texans were, I'm not seeing any reason to be overconfident -- there's some talent on defense and wouldn't bet against Gordon going crazy.
 
I'll say Pats win a tight one 30-24.
 
 
I think the one thing the Pats will definitely take away from CLE will be Josh Gordon. He may get some catches in garbage time, but he will not be the guy who beats them.