Bill Belichick can tie Hall of Famer George Halas for second in all-time NFL coaching wins with a triumph over the Browns. Do you think he hasn't noticed the Browns' recent troubles defending the run? (Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns scouting report: New England Patriots
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. New England Patriots
Sunday, 1 p.m., in FirstEnergy Stadium
Record: 2-3.
Last game: Defeated Detroit Lions, 29-0, Oct. 9, in Foxboro, MA.
Coach: Bill Belichick, 286-114, 23rd year; 323-159 overall.
Series record: Series tied, 13-13 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Patriots won, 45-7, Nov. 14, in Foxboro.
League rankings: Offense is 17th overall (ninth rushing, 21st passing), defense is 15th overall (22nd rushing, 11th passing) and turnover differential is minus-2.
Things to watch
1. Belichick silenced the many local critics of his bizarre offensive coaching set-up when he coaxed rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round draft pick from Western Kentucky, to a 29-0 win over the Lions. Zappe made his first NFL start because veteran backup Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion the week before and starter Mac Jones is still nursing a high ankle sprain. Zappe limited his mistakes to one interception while deferring to running back Rhamondre Stevenson (career-high 161 rushing yards), kicker Nick Folk (five field goals) and a shutout defensive performance. Belichick is at his best when doing whatever it takes to win. He will run the ball, kick field goals, use his punter to shift field position, and unleash his defense on opponents.
2. When long-time Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left the New England nest to become coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Belichick incurred the wrath of critics by appointing two former assistants with no offensive background to rewrite the offensive playbook. Matt Patricia, the former Patriots defensive coordinator and Detroit Lions head coach, emerged as the de facto offensive coordinator without the title, and game-day play-caller. Joe Judge, former Patriots special teams coordinator and New York Giants head coach, is the quarterbacks coach. After a real good rookie season under McDaniels, quarterback Mac Jones struggled to adapt to Patricia’s desire to push the ball downfield. Jones had five interceptions in three games before suffering a severe high ankle sprain. Jones has been working hard to get back, but he probably is at least a week away.
3. Belichick prefers to use two running backs in a game, but he’ll be without his No. 1, Damien Harris (hamstring), for the Browns game. Stevenson, a 230-pound stud from Oklahoma, probably could be a 1,200-yard rusher if Belichick committed solely to him. Stevenson had his first 100-yard and two-touchdown game as a rookie against the Browns last year. Belichick could replace Harris with rookie fourth-round pick Pierre Strong from South Dakota State, or he could promote practice squadders J.J. Taylor or Kevin Harris to share the rushing load. One thing is guaranteed: Belichick WILL run the ball.
4. Evidenced by their shutout of the NFL’s top-scoring team, Belichick’s defense has been making strides after early struggles against the run. The best players on defense are pass rusher Matthew Judon (at least one sack in five consecutive games and six overall), defensive tackle Christian Barmore, rookie cornerback Jack Jones, and a deep safety roster headed by starters Devin McCourty and Kyle Dugger. Jones, a fourth-round pick from Arizona State, became only the fourth player to record a Pick 6 of Aaron Rodgers.
Did you know … ?
1. A win by the Patriots would tie Belichick with George Halas for second place among coaches with 324 career wins (regular and postseason) – just 23 behind Don Shula’s record of 347.
2. The 29-0 New England victory over Detroit was the Patriots’ 14th defensive shutout in the 23 seasons under Belichick as head coach.
3. Bailey Zappe became the seventh quarterback to post a win in his first career start under Belichick. The list includes two quarterbacks from Belichick’s Cleveland days – Todd Philcox and Eric Zeier. The others are Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett. The only QB to lose his first career start with Belichick as his head coach? Mac Jones. (Philcox surely would be the stumper of this trivia question. While Philcox famously lost his first start after Belichick cut Bernie Kosar in the middle of the 1993 season, he had won a game in relief of injured Kosar in 1992. Eric Metcalf scored four touchdowns in that 28-16 Browns win over the Los Angeles Raiders.)
4. Kicker Nick Folk, 37, extended his NFL record to 63 consecutive field goals made of less than 50 yards. He is coming off his fourth career game of five field goals.
5. The Patriots have drafted 18 receivers in Belichick’s 23 seasons as head coach. None has earned a Pro Bowl berth.
Small world: Bill Belichick had a record of 37-45 as Browns head coach 1991-95, including one playoff win … Former Browns on the Patriots include linebacker Mack Wilson (2019-21), linebacker Jamie Collins (2016-18), defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale (2018-19), defensive lineman Carl Davis (2018), safety Jabrill Peppers (2017-18) and quarterback Brian Hoyer (IR) (2013-14) … Former Browns on the Patriots staff include director of scouting Eliot Wolf (2018-19), scout Chris Caminiti (2007-08), special teams assistant Sam Fioroni (2016), and director of skill development Joe Kim (1992-95, 1999-2000, 2016).
