Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 20, Browns 17
Every week in the NFL brings a different challenge, and this one is how the Patriots fare against one of the NFL's best defenses. So a lower-scoring game is projected, which means margin for error could be thin.
Stephania Bell, ESPN: Patriots
Matt Bowen, ESPN: Patriots
Mike Clay, ESPN: Patriots
Chris Fowler, ESPN: Browns
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Patriots
Kalyn Kahler, ESPN: Patriots
Pamela Maldonado, ESPN: Patriots
Eric Moody, ESPN: Patriots
Jason Reid, ESPN: Patriots
Lindsey Thiry, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots
NFL.com
Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com: Patriots 23, Browns 17
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Patriots 24, Browns 16
Dan Parr, NFL.com: Patriots 25, Browns 20
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Patriots 21, Browns 16
Tom Blair, NFL.com: Patriots 24, Browns 14
Why Gennaro picked the Patriots: Pushing the ball downfield with staggering precision while completing an NFL-best 75.2 percent of his passes, Drake Maye appears to be breaking out into superstardom. After flashing enticing traits and endearing moxie during a loss-littered rookie campaign, the 23-year-old is authoritatively spearheading wins in Year 2, using his arm and legs to flummox opposing defenses. Granted, those opposing defenses include a lot of duds. Of New England's first seven opponents, only one (Carolina) ranks higher than 15th in points or yards allowed. All of which sets the scene for this intriguing matchup. Cleveland ranks first in total defense (256.1 ypg). As the only D in the league with top-five marks against the pass (173.7 ypg) and run (82.4 ypg), this Myles Garrett-led unit looks like the kind of impediment that could bring Maye back to earth. Frankly, the young signal-caller has started this season on an unsustainable heater, particularly with the deep ball. On throws of 20-plus air yards, he owns a perfect passer rating of 158.3, more than doubling his mark from 2024 (74.3). Some regression is in order. That said, I still believe Maye ultimately will do enough to guide New England to its first five-game win streak in four years, thanks in part to a one-dimensional Cleveland offense that needs rookie RB Quinshon Judkins to play like Jim Brown in order to remain competitive.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Patriots 24, Browns 14
The Patriots have won three straight on the road to take over first place in the AFC East. They now get a Cleveland team that doesn't do a ton on offense. The Cleveland defense is a challenge, but Drake Maye will do enough to win this one for the Patriots.
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports: Patriots
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Patriots
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Browns
John Breech, CBS Sports: Browns
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: Patriots
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Partiots
Jamey Eisenburg, CBS Sports: Browns
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio: Patriots 27, Browns 17
Chris Simms: Patriots 24, Browns 9
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 20, Browns 16
Maye and the offense do just enough to get past scrappy Browns.
Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 24, Browns 10
The Browns defense presents the most formidable challenge yet for white-hot Drake Maye and the Patriots offense, but rookie Dillon Gabriel and his offense will struggle to put points on the board. As long as the Patriots don't regress in the turnover department, they should be able to grind out a win. But it might be a little tougher to move the ball than we've seen during New England's four-game win streak.
Evan Lazar, Patriots.com:
Pick: Pats 24, Browns 13
Although this will be tougher sledding for the Patriots offense, I can't see the Browns being able to score enough to hang with Drake Maye. The Pats offense does enough against a stingy Browns defense to win by double digits.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
