Jim Rogash - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: FOXBORO MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots checks the clock with his coach Bill Belichick in the fourth quarter against the Minnesita Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31 2010 in Foxboro Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
It is Wednesday already, and that means that we'll find out if quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace make their triumphant returns to practice today or not. While that's an important topic, there's a more important topic I want to talk about: the possibility of Derek Anderson starting for the Arizona Cardinals this week. /sarc
We've discussed all of the pros and cons of Delhomme, Wallace, or Colt McCoy being named the starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against the Patriots. Each quarterback seems to have a decent number of fans in their corner, but overall it doesn't seem like a mutiny will form based on whoever Eric Mangini chooses. We'll just have to await his decision and deal with it.
In the mean time, the Browns have had two weeks to gameplan for the New England Patriots. They might have needed those two weeks, because at 6-1, the Patriots have a better record than the Jets, Steelers, Colts, Packers, Giants, Saints, Ravens, and all of the other teams in the NFL. No matter what personnel moves the Patriots make, including the shuffling out of star receiver Randy Moss, they always seem to remain on top. Does the Patriots' record dignify them as the best team in the league though?
Patriots' Offense:
Patriots' Defense
One thing that you'll notice is that the Patriots aren't particularly dominant in one area statistically, and if there is something teams can do pretty well against New England's defense, it is moving the ball through the air. Overall, the thing that makes the Patriots so good is that they play efficient and have the ability to plug anyone in and have them succeed.
Part of that efficiency comes at quarterback with Tom Brady, who remains one of the best in the game. At receiver, the Patriots no longer have Moss, but Brady has no problem getting the ball to players like Wes Welker, Deion Branch, and Aaron Hernandez.
More impressive is what they continue to do at the running back position. This season, they've already gone through Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris. Faulk's injury seemed like it could be a blow at the time since he has always been their ultimate utility player, but in comes some guy named Danny Woodhead, who is now averaging 4.9 yards per carry and is an active threat in the passing game.
That doesn't even mention starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who has six rushing touchdowns and seems to be giving the Patriots the best ground game they've had in years. It helps explain why Brady has thrown less touchdowns (about 1.7 per game) while the Patriots are the highest scoring team in the league. Rob Ryan's creative defense might have worked against Drew Brees, but now a team like the Patriots will probably have studied that in the film room. It'll be interesting to see how each team adapts to what is thrown at them this week.
While I haven't seen reports on whether or not he'll play this week, the Patriots' offensive line just got better too with guard Logan Mankins ending his holdout.
Defensively, the Patriots are led by veteran Vince Wilfork up front. The unit has been good at defending the run this season, but I was intrigued by what the Minnesota Vikings' running game did against them in the first quarter this past Sunday. Here was the breakdown for Adrian Peterson quarter-by-quarter:
I thought Peterson was on a roll in the first quarter, and I saw quite a few runs that I felt were along the lines of what Peyton Hillis excels at. He did have 12 carries the rest of the game, but it seemed like the Vikings failed to ride the hot hand. It might be tempting to throw against the Patriots, but they still feature an opportunistic defense.
Another player to consider in this week's game is kick returner Brandon Tate. The Browns have been outstanding at stopping returns, but Tate has returned two kicks for touchdowns.
For all of the impressive play that the Patriots have though, I still get the impression that they aren't viewed as the best team in the NFL. Personally, I even get the feeling that if somehow we beat the Patriots and the Jets, our victory over the Jets would be considered the bigger upset.
What do you think? Are the Browns facing the most complete team in football this week, or just a team that is temporarily holding the league's best record?
1 recs | 68 comments
Focused!!!
If the Browns stay focused they have a homefield shot at this. The Pats don’t wanna be in Cleveland this Sunday. Alot of mistakes in last weekends game were by teams coming off a bye, partick the Jets. “They were not who they think they are and I doubt they are”. The Pats are the best in that AFC East. It’s good for this Browns team (coaches included) to go through this brutal stretch of the season. Every team through the first nine games have a winning record except CIN. KC and TBay, who’da thunk? Hope the Browns can make people thunk" with a win Sunday at home! Play ’em tuff!!!!
Thumpin96 - November 3, 2010
In spite of “you are what your record says you are”, I still rank Pittsburgh above the Pats at this time.
Spidey - November 3, 2010 via mobile
I threw up a little when I said this, but I’m with you on this one
Kimble_79 - November 3, 2010
Ugh me too.
Also, Pats defense isn’t that great. I think that catches up with them.
emily522 - November 3, 2010
AFC East
I aint talkin’ bout PIT. The Pats and “Jets who are not who they think they are”. That’s the Browns next 2 games. We get PIT again at home & by then who knows how good PIT will be. No team wants to play in Cleveland this time of year except hopefully The Browns…..
Thumpin96 - November 3, 2010
I don’t know, Pittsburgh and Foxboro aren’t exactly Miami.
Villeslgr - November 3, 2010
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
This is why the Patriots have the best record. They score when they get in the redzone, they score quickly, and they convert their 3rd downs. On defense, they create turnovers so that offensive machine can keep moving. If we can get them in 3rd and longs, while not making turnovers ourselves we will be just fine in this game. IMO
Kimble_79 - November 3, 2010
Agreed. they are playing very well right now, but mostly because of execution. They aren’t making huge mistakes and losing games, but they aren’t dominating like the Steelers have at times. they had really only one dominating game, the rest were close mostly throughout
bross09 - November 3, 2010
Is there another way to play well?
notthatnoise - November 3, 2010
they execute on third down and in the RZ. besides that, they are not playing any better than we are. Thats the difference between 2-5 and 6-1. execution. that and the difference between the nfl’s 2nd hardest SOS so far and the nfl’s 22nd hardest.
bross09 - November 3, 2010
Are the Patriots the best team in the NFL? Are they skilled at pretending they are, resulting in that figment becoming reality, yes, still the best in that regard.
mooncamping - November 3, 2010
How does a team pretend its way to 6-1?
Marima - November 3, 2010
The Buffalo Bills almost did that a couple years ago...
Richard Hill - November 4, 2010
The also had Aaron Schobel didn't they?
And a healthy tandem in Fred Jackson and Lynch?
patriotguy2 - November 4, 2010
The Jets pretended their way to the Championship game last year didn’t they?
SpecialBrownie - November 4, 2010
ISWYDT
Villeslgr - November 4, 2010
It will be interesting to see what kind of defensive game plan RR comes up with. Is he going to be able to keep the Pats offense guessing like he did with the Saints? This is a winnable game but its going to be up to the defense to punch Brady in the mouth more than once.
Steve n NC - November 3, 2010
I so hope that happens
9James - November 3, 2010
Completely OT: Does anyone else on here play guitar? I’m looking for some new tunes to learn. Something different, not really mainstream stuff. I know enough of that. Something similiar to these tunes I am learning currently…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oT2mtoGa1c (Original by Scott McGowan-not available on cd)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTtm4rI9e4E (Scott McGowan cover of Lifehouse-Storm)
http://www.youtube.com/user/scottmc127#p/u/1/F3QyqJQ8dZE (Scott McGowan cover of Old Crow Medicine Show-Wagon Wheel)
No this isn’t me by the way. I’ve been listening to this guy for a while and really like his music covers and his originals.
Kimble_79 - November 3, 2010
Might as well learn from the best that ever lived:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=django+reinhardt&aq=f
golanbatrac - November 3, 2010
You must have been a 13 year old little whippersnapper when this guy was a hit.
Is that you LIFE magazine?!
Simmsinns - November 3, 2010
He was never a hit in America. He was Beatles big in Pre-war Europe and in occupied France. Even the Nazis loved him. One of the very few Belgian Gypsies who didn’t wind up in the gas chamber.
golanbatrac - November 3, 2010
The guy is good, but that’s a little too “different”
Kimble_79 - November 3, 2010
Ouch. Kids these days…
Simmsinns - November 3, 2010
golan is the bald guy in the background with his arms crossed. “these damn kids and their fancy dance steps!”
Dawg Nuts - November 7, 2010
Bass Player here.
www.youtube.com look up Dark Scarlett (2 live videos) Me on bass. We’re lookin’ for a lead guitarist.
Thumpin96 - November 3, 2010
Nice, I am nowhere near “lead guitarist” status though. I’m more at the “campfire player” level.
Kimble_79 - November 4, 2010
I took lessons for three years and I’m still only at “play at my leisure and still kinda mediocre” level.
SpecialBrownie - November 4, 2010
Check this guy’s channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/martyzsongs
Villeslgr - November 3, 2010
I really like this guy. I’ve used him on several occasions. He explains things very well and doesn’t speed through things like most do.
Kimble_79 - November 4, 2010
The Browns did a good job containing New Orleans. Without Reggie Bush the Saints were less dynamic. I see Danny Woodhead playing the Reggie Bush role and exploiting the Browns defense.
Monsters of the Midway - November 3, 2010
The Vikings were able to run over the Patriots...
…because they decided to use an absurd defensive line. The previous couple games, the Patriots had been able to limit the runs of opposing backs by utilizing Gerard Warren, Vince Wilfork and either Ron Brace or Brandon Deaderick. The only constants were Warren and Wilfork. This defensive alignment has worked against teams with potent passing games (Ravens/Chargers/Dolphins), which means that they’ve been able to stop the run without any additional support in the box.
Against the Vikings, they inexplicably put in Mike Wright in Warren’s spot (and Wright is notoriously bad against the run), and Peterson ran all over the Patriots. After the first quarter, they yanked Wright and put back in Warren. That’s why Peterson was limited the rest of the game. No one has any idea why the coaches started Wright.
You can expect more of the Warren-Wilfork-(Brace/Deaderick) front and probably 15-25 yards on the ground per quarter. The Patriots have yet to allow a 100 yard rusher this season, so Hillis will have his plate full. Expect the Patriots to utilize their best defensive front, but also expect them to stick an additional player in the box to make the running game even more difficult.
Richard Hill - November 3, 2010
wright has a sack in 4 straight games
but yeah he isnt ideal in run stopping but is a good pass rusher.
brady12mvp3 - November 3, 2010
That’s because when your coverage is that iffy, nobody believes you’re gonna be good enough at pass rushing to bother trying to stop you.
Groza - November 3, 2010
It's the defensive scheme...
…that allows the big gains. Not an excuse, it’s just the reason. The coverage is so terrible because the defense wants to avoid giving up the big play. There are so many yards given up because that type of “bend-don’t-break” defense allows opposing offenses to march down the field with ease, utilizing underneath passes. However, once they reach the red zone, the defense stiffens up and gives up field goals. At least that’s how it’s worked in recent weeks. Opposing teams get touchdowns when the defense gives up penalties to allow the opposing team to run in the ball.
This banks on the offense outscoring the defense. Not a really smart game plan, but it’s been working.
Richard Hill - November 4, 2010
the fact that you guys are 9th in turnovers per drive and over 1 out of every 6 offensive drives ends in a turnover doesn’t hurt either.
bross09 - November 4, 2010
I think that’s inflated by the Charters and how stupid they were. But you’re right, the Patriots have been very opportunistic on defense- but that’s only happened as the defense gained experience and has become better as a unit.
Richard Hill - November 4, 2010
that has always been the pats defense
yards are meaningless. they have always been a bend but dont breal keep the ball in front of u no big play defense. make teams have a 10 plus play drive every time out and the chances of them making a mistake go up big time. they clamp down in red zone and 3rd down defense is also key. and make big plays when u get the chance. but teams usually amass high amounts of yards against the pats that dont turn into touchdowns. thats the theory at least and the past patriot defense from i would say 2001 to 2007 played that to a tee but then it got to old. and now were too young our avg age of our defense last week was 24.8 years of age and i think we started 4 rookies on defense alone. we also lost ty warren and bodden our 2 veterens on the squad that didnt help but once our defense expierience catches up the athletic ability they have shown watch out i think they got the right pieces of the puzzle again.
brady12mvp3 - November 4, 2010
Victory of Next Week BROWNS OVER THE PATS How about a 21-17 Victory, Cleveland over the Patriots. I think the Browns will move the ball, and the defense will match up well against the Patriots offense. Thoughts? (I know it is an unlikely outcome, but it will be a close game)
champion64 - November 3, 2010
i say the browns on offense will utilize alot of play-action to get the pats young secondary to bite up toward the line to allow our recivers to get down the field. i also think peyton will do ok, i guess about 95 yrds. but i will get very optimistic about our defense holding them down and say we win 27-23!!!
findlaybrownslover - November 3, 2010
Holding the Patriots to 17 points would be a victory unto itself.
Monsters of the Midway - November 3, 2010
I see TJ finally getting his hands wrapped around a ball this week and his first pick six of the season coming from Brady. He read Brees like a book and almost had 2. I wouldl love to see it at home against the Pats.
Also hate to admit it but Steelers are better right now than Pat’s. I think Green Bay could beat them as well when they are healthy again.
browndawgbacker - November 3, 2010
Call me crazy, but I think the Giants would beat anyone in the NFL right now.
Bernie19Kosar - November 3, 2010
you are crazy
but no seriously yes the giants are playing well right now. the giants front is creating havoc again and they have some underestimated weapons on offense. nicks smith manningham boss bradshaw and even jacobs when he wants it and even gulp the other manning is playing good right now. but its still early way too much football left to play.
brady12mvp3 - November 3, 2010
That is why I said “right now”
Bernie19Kosar - November 3, 2010
I am calling you crazy. Pittsburgh and New England both stomp the Giants.
TheDriveStillHurts - November 3, 2010
Not sure about that. I think the best teams in football are still in the AFC — Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Pats, Colts.
Buckeye Brad - November 3, 2010
They’re going to have to do a lot more than they have to erase that Sunday night performance from my mind. I don’t think the ’08 or ’09 Browns ever got beaten as soundly as they did that week.
golanbatrac - November 3, 2010
Gmen are playing hard nose ball right now. I think you are correct except for penalties and Eli throwing a pick here and there they are serious contenders this year. I watch a lot of Giants ball and they look good.
browndawgbacker - November 5, 2010
New England is the best team in the NFL right now. Record says so and they consistently game-plan to win and outsmart their opponents. Having said that, I agree that beating the Jets would be the bigger upset because I just don’t see how our offense scores on that defense. Green Bay was only able to put up 3 field goals on them. If we beat the Jets, it is going to have to be a great day for our D, including defensive scores.
TheDriveStillHurts - November 3, 2010
mid season hard to say who the best is
but in any order u see fit i would put the ravens jets patriots steelers colts for afc title.
brady12mvp3 - November 3, 2010
It depends what you mean by “No. 1”, because it could mean simply best record in which case people are inclined to vote Yes. However, if the question is do I view the Pats are the best NFL team, I’d have to say no.
Simmsinns - November 3, 2010
Even though it hurts to say, I have to take the steelers on this one for a few reasons
- 5-2 with losses by 10 against the 5-3 defending SB champs and by 3 without big ben to a 5-2 division rival.
-They rank 1st in the league in SOS of opponents played, whereas the Pats rank 22nd in the league, 13th in the AFC, and last in their division.
-The steelers went 4 games without their Pro Bowl QB and still went 3-1 and probably would have gone 4-0 with Ben in there in the ravens game.
-Until the loss to the Saints, they ranked 2nd in total DVOA, ahead of the Pats and currently rank 2nd in defensive DVOA
-the Pats rank below average in Net Drive stats (net yards per drive combining offensive and defensive yards, net turnovers, net scores, net LOS) whereas the Steeelers are above average in pretty much every category.
The pats are definitely a good team, but have not faced elite competition like the steelers and are not nearly as dominant as the steelers.
bross09 - November 3, 2010
I'm not liking the SoS argument, even though it's legitimate.
The Patriots have beaten three teams with losing records that were in the playoffs last season- the Bengals, Chargers and the Vikings. Only good team the Steelers have beaten are the Titans (who are legitimately good) and the Falcons (who have beaten Cardinals, 49ers, Browns, Bengals and then the Saints in OT). The Steelers have teams like Falcons and Bucs on their schedule who, although they have great records, have inflated win percentages because of their level of competition.
Oh, and the Patriots have the Bills on their schedule. Twice. Yeah.
Richard Hill - November 4, 2010
I don’t agree with the methodology to say that these teams made the playoffs last year.
the vikes are 2-5 and lost to the Lions and the 1-6 cowboys
the chargers have 3 wins, but only 1 against a team with a record above .500
the bengals suck. we beat them and I believe they are last in the division last I checked.
I don’t agree with the falcons record being inflated. the Browns are a tough machup who have had a lead in the 4th quarter in every game except one played (and they were still in it in that game). If anything, the fact that the steelers face the browns, who are better than their record suggests, twice and play the falcons and who beat the browns helps their SoS.
bross09 - November 4, 2010
The Vikings beat the Lions . . . and the Cowboys.
TheDriveStillHurts - November 4, 2010
Shh, don’t discourage him.
SpecialBrownie - November 4, 2010
I meant beat…
words confuse me.
bross09 - November 4, 2010
lions are very underrated too.
just saying.
patriotguy2 - November 4, 2010
they are a bit underrated, but they are not yet a good team.
bross09 - November 5, 2010
this is the NFL. The fact that those teams made the playoffs last year means nothing.
notthatnoise - November 4, 2010
And this season...
…is showing that any team can win on any given Sunday, so strength of schedules are nice, but not really indicative of a team’s prowess.
Richard Hill - November 4, 2010
a teams current record is an infinitely better measure of how good a team is than last year’s record.
notthatnoise - November 5, 2010
This is nice, took me a while to notice that there were Patriot fans posting here. Much better than Steelers week. Should be some nice discussion leading up to the game.
Villeslgr - November 3, 2010
If only moving the ball through the air was something the Browns excelled at. I suppose it may yet be. It’s looking more like McCoy will get the start right now and he was able to put up decent yards vs. Pittsburgh.
JustBob - November 3, 2010
Shhhhhh Don't let Mangini hear you
Marima - November 3, 2010
MoMa is supposed to play this week so hopefully that gives colt a legit target to throw too. If we can get him and Cribbs out long and let Watson do his thing it will be good. And as much as I am eating my own words here, Robo actually caught some balls recently and it was nice to see!
browndawgbacker - November 5, 2010
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