New England Patriots vs Cleveland Browns
The Patriots held the ball for 32:15, and the Browns held the ball for 27:45. The Patriots jumped out to an early lead and weathered the storm (pun intended…the game was almost entirely played in the rain). The Browns had a run-heavy game plan and didn’t deviate from it until they were down by multiple scores. The Patriots also ran the ball a lot, but still showed that they are going to pass even in run-positive game scripts.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
- Tom Brady: 20/36, 259 yards, 2 TDs
I’ll be the one to say it: the Patriots offense is not the strength of the team right now. There were signs last year of decline, but they were still good enough to win a Super Bowl, so concerns were not raised. The defense is carrying this team, and Tom Brady does not look the same. The offense seemed stuck in neutral except for a few big plays, and the high-powered attack of old seems no more. They can make plays when they count, but the amount of balls thrown into the ground is concerning.
It’s not even really Brady’s fault; the offensive line has been subpar. The game was also played mostly in rainy conditions. I wouldn’t necessarily say Brady is a bad start; he has an easy schedule and seems to always find a way to put up stats. But his ceiling is limited as of now.
Running Backs
- Sony Michel: 21 carries, 74 yards
- James White: 2 carries, 4 yards | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 75 yards
- Rex Burkhead: 3 carries, 4 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Sony Michel was a bright spot for the Patriots today. He consistently ripped off big gains and was able to chew clock effectively. I was like night and day watching former teammates Michel and Chubb play today; Chubb is in every way a better running back. But Michel held his own and is the perfect fit for this Patriots team that needs a bruiser to wear defenses out. He is an every-week starter, but will never be in a class like Chubb and other all-world backs. He’s a great RB2 and should be started every week. He did not score a touchdown, but he will more often than not. Rex Burkhead returned from injury, but did not make much of an impact. James White had his usual role; he is so incredibly consistent and has such a safe floor. If you are seeking stability in your lineups, I would go grab White everywhere you can. If he starts getting the touchdowns he has historically gotten, he will be an RB1.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Julian Edelman: 11 targets, 8 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TD’s
- Phillip Dorsett: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards
- Mohamed Sanu: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards
- Ben Watson: 1 target, 1 reception, 26 yards
The Patriots offense is predicated on spreading the ball around, mostly with short passes. The running backs take a lot of the passing work, and as such the receivers’ upside is limited. Well, except for Julian Edelman. The reigning Super Bowl MVP had a fantastic day today, and is far and away Brady’s favorite target. A healthy Edelman is working himself into the WR1 conversation, especially in PPR leagues. Phillip Dorsett had a few nice catches; if you are looking for a bye-week fill-in or flex, you could do worse, as he is more likely than other receivers to catch a touchdown. Mohamed Sanu was quiet in his Patriots debut; I would not start him until he proves he is fully integrated into the offense. The Patriots’ tight ends post-Gronk are nonfactors.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
- Baker Mayfield: 20/31, 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 1 carry, 18 yards
Baker Mayfield performed the best out of all the quarterbacks that have played the Patriots so far, but that is not saying much. The Browns once again showed a complete inability to pass the football, and the offensive line needs a complete rehaul. Mayfield is not startable except in plus matchups, and even then the Browns refuse to be creative with their play calls, limiting his upside. It remains to be seen if Freddie Kitchens will remain head coach after this season, but safe to say, the Browns offense has been a complete disappointment.
Running Backs
- Nick Chubb: 20 carries, 131 yards, 2 fumbles | 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
- Dontrell Hilliard: 1 carry, 10 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards
Nick Chubb looked great today. He is extremely talented and the Browns offensive line, which shows an inability to pass block, is much better with run blocking. Chubb was continuously able to exploit holes against the Patriots’ previously lockdown run defense. Chubb is a no-brainer every week start, even against tough run defenses. He was the focal point of the offense today and was the only bright spot on it. Fantasy owners may be concerned about Kareem Hunt’s return, but Chubb is too talented to not produce, even if his overall touches go down slightly. If anything, Hunt will just replace Dontrell Hilliard as the primary passing-down/change-of-pace back.
Chubb had 2 fumbles early on in the game that killed the Browns’ momentum, one of them coming after ripping off a 40-yard run. I don’t think his status as the unquestioned workhorse is in any jeopardy.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Odell Beckham, Jr.: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 52 yards
- Jarvis Landry: 10 targets, 5 receptions, 65 yards
- Demetrius Harris: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD
By this point, I think it is not controversial to say that Odell Beckham, Jr’s stint in Cleveland has been a disappointment. Expectations were sky-high when he was traded during the offseason, but his production has been even worse than when he was with Eli Manning. It is not a problem with Beckham himself; he still looks every bit like the most talented wideout in the league. He had an incredible catch in garbage time down the field. But the Browns offense has just been run-heavy, and Baker spreads the ball around too much to allow for gaudy fantasy stats. Of course, he was also being shadowed by shutdown corner Stephon Gilmore in the rain. I don’t know if anyone would be willing to buy Beckham at this point, but the good news for his fantasy owners is that he gets to play the Bengals, Cardinals, and Ravens during the fantasy playoffs. It won’t get any easier playing the Broncos and Bills in the next two weeks, though.
Jarvis Landry, on the other hand, is Baker’s favorite target. Even though his stats look similar to Beckham’s, he is consistently more targeted. He is the only stable pass-catcher in this offense. Demetrius Harris caught a touchdown today, but Ricky Seals-Jones has been the preferred option in previous weeks. Either are streamable if you are desperate.
— Ryan Comeau