{"id":91835,"date":"2021-11-12T02:21:12","date_gmt":"2021-11-12T02:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=91835"},"modified":"2021-11-12T02:21:12","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T02:21:12","slug":"patriots-game-plan-how-the-pats-win-a-battle-in-the-trenches-against-the-browns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/patriots-game-plan-how-the-pats-win-a-battle-in-the-trenches-against-the-browns\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Game Plan: How the Pats Win a Battle in the Trenches Against the Browns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For those still into old-school, smash-mouth football, then Patriots-Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday is the game for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These are two organizations that are thankfully still investing and developing in the trenches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although it took New England longer to gel, both teams see the fruits of their labor as two of the best in the league on the line of scrimmage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bill Belichick consistently has his eyes on the line of scrimmage, but Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry has rebuilt the Browns in the right way from the inside out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It&#39;s hard to find great OL today and the Browns have a full starting lineup of them:<\/p>\n<p>LT Jedrick Wills: 2020 10th overall pick<br \/>LG Joel Bitonio: 3-year, $48M extension<br \/>C J.C. Tretter: 3-years, $32.5M <br \/>RG Wyatt Teller: 4-years, $56.8M<br \/>RT Jack Conklin: 3-years, $42M<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Field Yates (@FieldYates) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FieldYates\/status\/1458507425263325189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 10, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Browns recently signed both their starting guards, Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, to extensions. The rest of arguably the best O-Line football is under contract beyond this season as well, with 2020 first-round pick Jedrick Wills on his rookie deal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then, Cleveland built their defense around 2017 number one overall pick, Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL in sacks and is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate this season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-91848\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-300x169.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"637\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-scaled-600x338.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-450x253.jpeg 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TrenchesReport-1200x675.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(via Ben Baldwin)<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Berry\u2019s work to restock the Browns\u2019 offensive line and defensive front are paying off, while the strides the Patriots have made in the trenches will be put to the ultimate test on Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the most physical if not the most physical games we\u2019ll play this year,\u201d Patriots linebacker Dont\u2019a Hightower said this week. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a battle of the trenches.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Let\u2019s break down how the Pats win a battle in the trenches on Sunday against the Browns:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whenever you go up against an elite pass rush, conventional wisdom says that run-pass balance is critical to slow down Myles Garrett and company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cleveland ranks second in the league in pressure rate (28.4%) and tied for second in sacks (27), mainly featuring a four-down linemen front without much blitzing by DC Joe Woods (obviously, they don\u2019t need to blitz to get pressure with Garrett, Clowney, etc.).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will strive for some semblance of balance, the Browns defense is even more stingy against the run than they are as a pass defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cleveland ranks 19th in Football Outsiders\u2019 DVOA metric in pass defense despite having an elite pass rush compared to fifth in run defense. They\u2019re also second-best in yards per carry allowed (3.9). In other words, good luck running the ball against these guys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The best way to move the football against the Browns defense is for the Patriots to look back at their Week 4 game-plan against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: quick, efficient, short passes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Over the last two weeks, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Pittsburgh\u2019s Ben Roethlisberger were far more successful when they got the ball out of their hands as quickly as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-91846\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BurrowBenTTT-300x81.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"552\" height=\"149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BurrowBenTTT-300x81.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BurrowBenTTT-150x40.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BurrowBenTTT-450x121.png 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BurrowBenTTT.png 498w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(via Pro Football Focus)<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Burrow and Roethlisberger neutralized Cleveland\u2019s pass rush and attacked the Browns\u2019 zone coverages by releasing the ball quickly. Cleveland is in cover-three or quarters on 60% of snaps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Expect the Browns defense to play the Pats offense with mostly single-high safety structures, with either cover-one or cover-three zone as the primary coverage call and an extra defender in the box to stop the run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In that case, McDaniels will likely dial up his fair share of quick-game concepts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-1\" width=\"788\" height=\"445\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ChaseGlanceRoute.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ChaseGlanceRoute.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ChaseGlanceRoute.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, the Bengals use a motion by running back Joe Mixon to occupy the \u201cbuzz\u201d safety rotating into the intermediate zone at the snap. The safety is responsible for the motion, stretching out the defense, creating a passing window for Ja\u2019Marr Chase to run the glance route.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-2\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MixonSlantFlat.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MixonSlantFlat.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MixonSlantFlat.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cincinnati also attacked Cleveland\u2019s post-snap safety rotations by throwing opposite the rotation. In the play above, they run a double-slant concept with Mixon releasing into the flat out of the backfield. The two slants occupy the underneath coverage players, and Mixon is wide open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-3\" width=\"788\" height=\"441\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TESitvsZone.mp4?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TESitvsZone.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TESitvsZone.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then, the Bengals attacked Cleveland\u2019s short zones with the tight ends over the middle. Above, Mixon\u2019s release into the flat gets linebacker Malcolm Smith to widen towards the sideline. Burrow reads Smith\u2019s drop and throws quickly to his tight end on the curl pattern.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-4\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/CincyBranchOut.mp4?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/CincyBranchOut.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/CincyBranchOut.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots could also look to clear out the sideline with vertical routes to throw into the flats against either cover-three or quarters. This two-man route combination by the Bengals resembles the Pats\u2019 branch\/option concept where the vertical takes the deep zone defenders upfield, opening the sideline for the tight end route.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-5\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MixonAngleRoute.mp4?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MixonAngleRoute.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MixonAngleRoute.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After a huge game out of the backs last week, the Pats could go back to Brandon Bolden again by isolating him on the Browns&#8217; linebackers, as Cincinnati did here on the angle route to Mixon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-6\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PitTEOption.mp4?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PitTEOption.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PitTEOption.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pittsburgh also found success throwing into the middle of the field by isolating their tight ends on Cleveland\u2019s linebackers in coverage. This time, they get Pat Freiermuth on the Y option look against Smith in a short zone, and it\u2019s a first down on second-and-long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-7\" width=\"788\" height=\"444\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/LowMesh.mp4?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/LowMesh.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/LowMesh.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lastly, the Steelers found success with a low mesh\/sit concept where the intersecting shallow crossers stretch out the middle hook zones and leave the sit route open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">McDaniels will likely test the Browns\u2019 run defense early, as he did against Tampa, to see if there will be any yards available for the Patriots on the ground this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If not, which has usually been the case against Cleveland\u2019s defense, then it\u2019s time for the quick-game spread concepts with Mac attacking short zones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cleveland has the best rushing attack in football, so stopping the run is much easier said than done; the Browns are first in rush DVOA, first in rush EPA, and first in yards per rush.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And although the Patriots might catch a break if star running back Nick Chubb isn\u2019t cleared from COVID protocols in time for Sunday\u2019s game, they\u2019re still averaging 5.3 yards per rush without Chubb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chubb\u2019s absence hurts the Browns more in the passing game because Baker Mayfield is a different quarterback off play-action, and teams respect the running game more when Chubb is in the backfield.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-91845\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakerPlayActionSplits-300x111.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakerPlayActionSplits-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakerPlayActionSplits-600x221.png 600w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakerPlayActionSplits-150x55.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakerPlayActionSplits-450x166.png 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakerPlayActionSplits.png 632w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(via Pro Football Focus &amp; Sports Info Solutions)<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although it\u2019s much easier said than done, the Pats will win on Sunday if they limit the Browns\u2019 early-down run and play-action sequencing to force Mayfield to beat them as a traditional drop-back passer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-91847\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakervsMan-300x151.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakervsMan-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakervsMan-150x75.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakervsMan-450x226.png 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/BakervsMan.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(via Sports Info Solutions)<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Along with the play-action splits, Cleveland is 25th in drop-back success rate on third down, and Mayfield struggles man coverage. But it&#8217;s challenging to get the Browns into third down where you can play man coverage (playing man against their play-action concepts is tough).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Browns\u2019 most frequently used run-blocking scheme is outside zone, which they\u2019ll marry up with bootleg action, but they\u2019re a dominant gap\/power team as well (7.0 yards per rush).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Patriots<\/a> opened the game with some beef on the field. Base 3-4 defense with Guy, Davis, and Godchaux as your three DLs. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/g7XyulNFmG\">pic.twitter.com\/g7XyulNFmG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ezlazar\/status\/1457769122327105540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 8, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Due to Cleveland\u2019s ability to block power schemes effectively, the Patriots will likely deploy the same 3-4 base defense we saw last week against Carolina. In their base front, the Pats had three defensive tackles and four true linebackers in the game, loading up against the run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Browns\u2019 offensive line is miles better than Carolina\u2019s banged-up line was last week, but the Pats shut down Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers\u2019 rushing attack out of their base defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cI like that front. That\u2019s my favorite front,\u201d defensive tackle Davon Godchaux told CLNS Media. \u201cYou got all the big guys in there. Let\u2019s me be more versatile playing more four [technique], some five [technique], some three-technique, and teams can\u2019t scheme up on us like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">From there, it\u2019s a strength-on-strength matchup with the Pats\u2019 play-action coverage versus the Browns\u2019 play-action passes, where Baker is averaging 10.8 yards per attempt (second-best in the NFL). This season, the Pats are the fourth-best play-action defense (5.4 yards per pass).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With so many offenses around the league adopting multiple tight end formations and sequencing run schemes with play-action, Belichick has answered with cover-three zones in the backend that can take away the two-man route combinations with three defenders deep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-91835-8\" width=\"788\" height=\"444\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PatsPACoverage.mp4?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PatsPACoverage.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PatsPACoverage.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Carolina tried to hit shots off play-action with similar concepts that the Browns will use this week: post-crossers, levels off bootleg action, and the Pats were all over it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although Cleveland is a tougher opponent, the game plan for the Pats won\u2019t be much different than last week against the Panthers; base fronts to stop the run, cover-three zone on early downs to take away shots off play-action, and force Baker (Darnold) to beat you on third down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England already has the blueprint. Now, they need to execute against better competition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">KEY MATCHUPS\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1. Pats LT Isaiah Wynn vs. CLE DE Myles Garrett\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yeah, this matchup on paper doesn\u2019t look good for the Patriots. According to PFF, Garrett lines up over the left tackle on 87% of his snaps, so Wynn is drawing the favorite for DPOY. Garrett moves differently than any other pass rusher we\u2019ve studied. He likes an inside-out rip move that\u2019s so fluid he looks like a basketball player crossing up the tackle, except he\u2019s 6-4, 270. And Woods makes it challenging to double-team him by playing even fronts with a three-technique on the same side as Garrett occupying the left guard. Get ready for a lot of chips from the backs and tight ends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2. Pats LBs Dont\u2019a Hightower\/Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley vs. CLE OGs Wyatt Teller\/Joel Bitonio<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Better get your hard hats on, folks. Hightower and Bentley are two of the best take-on run defenders in football, going up against two of the most physical guards in the NFL. Teller and Bitonio pull in power schemes, climb to the second-level in zone blocking, and the entire Cleveland running game starts with them. I can\u2019t wait to see the collisions we get between these four on Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3. Pats WR Jakobi Meyers &amp; TE Hunter Henry vs. CLE LB Malcolm Smith &amp; SS Ronnie Harrison<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Browns play a lot of zone coverage, so it\u2019s difficult to limit these to one matchup. Nevertheless, Smith and Harrison feel like the Waldo\u2019s of the Browns secondary. Ward, Newsome, and Johnson are a tough trio to beat in the backend, especially when they\u2019re aided by the pass rush. This should be a high-volume game for the Pats\u2019 inside receivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For those still into old-school, smash-mouth football, then Patriots-Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday is the game for you. These are two organizations that are thankfully still investing and developing in the trenches.\u00a0 Although it took New England longer to gel, both teams see the fruits of their labor as two of the best in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":91849,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3537,3539],"tags":[652,207,367,209,6406,210],"class_list":["post-91835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-home-featured-banner","category-nfl-featured-banner","tag-baker-mayfield","tag-bill-belichick","tag-browns","tag-mac-jones","tag-myles-garrett","tag-patriots"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Patriots Game Plan: How the Pats Win a Battle in the Trenches Against the Browns - CLNS Media<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For those still into old-school, smash-mouth football, then Patriots-Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday is the game for you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/patriots-game-plan-how-the-pats-win-a-battle-in-the-trenches-against-the-browns\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Patriots Game Plan: How the Pats Win a Battle in the Trenches Against the Browns - 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