What we learned: Best and worst from Patriots’ 32-13 win over Browns

FOXBORO The Patriots passed a major test while extending their winning streak to five games They proved that one of the NFL s best defenses is no match for their offensive firepower The now - Patriots started slow laboriously taking a - lead into halftime against the Browns Then came the offensive explosion in the second half with quarterback Drake Maye leading the way with certain major help from the defense to a - win Related Articles Patriots ex-starting defender among inactives vs Browns Patriots add running back ex-starting safety to proceeding roster Patriots-Browns preview How Drake Maye Mike Vrabel can extend their winning streak How a Patriots coach s battle with cancer is inspiring their defense things we re watching in Patriots Week matchup with Browns The Patriots moved the ball effectively on the ground in their first drive but stalled when they got inside the -yard line losing yards on a Rhamondre Stevenson run and when Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett beat tight end Hunter Henry and rookie tackle Will Campbell for a -yard sack of quarterback Drake Maye The Patriots settled for a -yard field goal from rookie kicker Andy Borregales to go ahead - Head coach Mike Vrabel disclosed before the competition that he had senior defensive assistant Ben McAdoo a former offensive coordinator and head coach put together an opening script to test the Patriots defense to get them to start faster It didn t work The Patriots promptly allowed the Browns to take a - lead on a six-play -yard drive that ended with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel finding rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr wide open coming out of the backfield for an -yard touchdown The Patriots defense forced a quick punt allowing just one first down on the Browns next drive Their ensuing offensive series was short-lived Maye threw his first interception since Week on a target to wide receiver Stefon Diggs Maye didn t see rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger and threw directly at him As far as turnovers go that one was pretty inconsequential The Browns managed just yards then kicker Andre Szmyt missed a -yard field goal Maye led the Patriots down the field on long completions to tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver Mack Hollins before the offense stalled and settled for a field goal to cut the Browns lead to - After exchanging three punts the Patriots got the ball for a two-minute drill at the end of the half They had to settle for a field goal and a - lead after a false start on tight end Hunter Henry and Myles Garrett s third sack of the competition eliminated any chances of getting into the end zone The Patriots defense started the second half strong forcing a three-and-out The offense matched that capacity with a seven-play -yard drive that culminated with a -yard touchdown pass from Maye to Henry They extended their lead to - after linebacker Robert Spillane picked off Gabriel to put the offense in the red zone Maye hit Stefon Diggs for the Pro Bowl receiver s first touchdown in a Patriots uniform from yard out The Patriots defense allowed a first down for the first time since the second quarter but on the next play Gabriel threw a heave downfield that safety Jaylinn Hawkins picked off diving with one hand Maye made the Browns pay on a five-play -yard drive On the last two plays he ran for yards then hit wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on a -yard deep touchdown to put the Patriots ahead - The event went into garbage time early The Browns scored on an -yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to tight end David Njoku over rookie safety Craig Woodson with left in the fourth quarter The Browns got into the red zone rapidly after Bryce Baringer muffed a -yard punt The total and failed two-point attempt made the total - Patriots The Patriots then recovered the Browns onside kick attempt The Patriots got inside the red zone before Henderson fumbled at the goal line Gabriel was penalized for intentional grounding inside his own end zone giving the Patriots a safety and - lead The Browns then kicked onside after the safety and recovered BEST CB Marcus Jones Jones was all over the field on Sunday with two pass breakups and a tackle for loss in the first half The captain has been one of the Patriots best defenders this season RB TreVeyon Henderson Let s give it up for the rookie running back who evidenced off his explosive ability for the first time all season with a -carry -yard performance It wasn t perfect Henderson lost a fumble at the goal line but he played better than he had performed all season S Jaylinn Hawkins You make a one-handed interception you wind up on the best list LB Robert Spillane Spillane also picked off Gabriel while added a team-leading nine tackles and two tackles for loss QB Drake Maye Yes he threw an interception his first since Week but he also went -of- for yards with three touchdown passes and picked up an additional yards on four rushing attempts WORST Special teams The Patriots were charged with three penalties on special teams Brenden Schooler was flagged for a hold Marte Mapu was penalized for an illegal formation and Richie Grant was called for holding The Browns also recovered an onside kick after a safety P Bryce Baringer A -yard punt and a touchback put Baringer on the worst list Pass protection Maye was sacked six times and yes Garrett is a beast but preponderance teams limit him to less than five sacks per contest PFF charged LT Will Campbell with two sacks and tight end Hunter Henry and LG Jared Wilson with one apiece during in-game charting WHAT WE LEARNED Henderson was a much bigger part of the offensive championship plan compared to last week He rewarded offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with two runs for yards on the Patriots opening drive while leading the unit in rushing The Patriots dared Gabriel to beat them on the first play of the tournament going extremely heavy with just three defensive backs on the field Here was the starting defense OLB Harold Landry III DT Milton Williams DT Joshua Farmer DT Khyiris Tonga OLB DE K Lavon Chaisson LB Robert Spillane LB Christian Elliss LB Jack Gibbens CB Christian Gonzalez CB Carlton Davis III and S Jaylinn Hawkins The Patriots revealed a complete lack of respect for Gabriel and the Browns passing tournament overall They sold out to sell the run until it was third-and-long and were exceptional at limiting rookie running back Quinshon Judkins Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was a notable absence from the starting defense He didn t take the field in the first quarter but was on the field for the Browns third drive which began in the second quarter With Efton Chism inactive Henderson took over kick return duties Cornerback Christian Gonzalez looked like himself with multiple forced incompletions