Patriots defeat Browns, 32-13

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald on Oct 26, 2025

Published in Football

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England 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 6-2 Patriots started slow, laboriously taking a 9-7 lead into halftime against the Cleveland Browns. Then came the offensive explosion in the second half with quarterback Drake Maye leading the way — with some major help from the defense — to a 32-13 win.

The Patriots moved the ball effectively on the ground in their first drive but stalled when they got inside the 5-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 10-yard sack of quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots settled for a 36-yard field goal from rookie kicker Andy Borregales to go ahead 3-0.

Head coach Mike Vrabel said before the game 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 quickly allowed the Browns to take a 7-3 lead on a six-play, 70-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 18-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 3 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 5 yards, then kicker Andre Szmyt missed a 49-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 7-6.

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 9-7 lead after a false start on tight end Hunter Henry and Myles Garrett’s third sack of the game 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 energy with a seven-play, 77-yard drive that culminated with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Henry.

They extended their lead to 23-7 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 1 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, 81-yard drive. On the last two plays, he ran for 28 yards then hit wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on a 39-yard deep touchdown to put the Patriots ahead 30-7.

The game went into garbage time early. The Browns scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to tight end David Njoku over rookie safety Craig Woodson with 9:24 left in the fourth quarter. The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt. The score and failed two-point attempt made the score 30-13 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 32-13 lead. The Browns then kicked onside after the safety and recovered.

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