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Players to Watch: Patriots vs. Browns
Patriots.com's Mike Dussault shares his players to watch during the Patriots Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 27, 2019.


Mohamed Sanu, WR – The newly-acquired receiver should be thrust immediately into the mix and the quicker he makes an impact the better for the Patriots offense. He's long been a good fit and now we'll see that fit come to fruition. Expect him to be a nice complimentary piece to Julian Edelman inside.

Ben Watson, TE – The veteran tight end had a solid debut against the Jets, grabbing third- and fourth-down conversions and ending with three catches. Expect Watson's role to continue to expand, as in just limited action he easily looked like the best tight end the Pats have had all season.

James White, RB – With Sony Michel's struggles and Rex Burkhead missing three games due to a foot injury, White continues to be the most reliable member of the offensive backfield. With 38 catches White isn't far off his pace of 2018 when he ended with 87 grabs. Pencil him in for about seven catches in every game he plays.

Marshall Newhouse, OL – Cleveland's most dangerous defender Myles Garrett will line up over the Pats' left tackle Newhouse, making it a focal point of this game. Newhouse has been solid in relief of Isaiah Wynn and is likely to only be needed as a starter for three more games and none will be harder for him than this week.

Stephon Gilmore, CB – The NFL's best corner continues to dominate every receiver he faces and this week he'll see the most talented one he's matched up against this season in Odell Beckham. Going against an excellent receiver should only highlight how good Gilmore has been this year. He thrives on challenges like this.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR – The Browns leading receiver has 29 catches and just one touchdown on the season but remains a game-breaker capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. The Patriots will dedicate plenty of attention to taking Beckham away, but even then he should still make his share of plays.

Nick Chubb, RB – The Browns passing offense gets a lot of attention but it's Chubb that is the bell cow of the attack. He's fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and leads the Browns with six touchdowns while averaging over 100 yards-per-game. If the Browns are to make this a game it will be up to Chubb to grind out some tough yards.

Myles Garrett, DE – Garrett already has nine sacks and 12 QB hits, and figures to be the key defensive piece that the Patriots try to neutralize. Garrett is a disruptive rusher and it could take multiple blockers to make sure he doesn't blow up the Patriots offensive game plan.

Baker Mayfield, QB – Mayfield had plenty of hype coming into his second season but so far he's been a turnover machine, with five interceptions in his last two games and 11 on the season. Is he ready to face The Boogeymen and not make those kind of mistakes? If he can't protect the ball it's going to be a long night.

Jarvis Landry, WR – For all of Beckham's explosiveness it's really Landry that is the key to keeping the passing offense on time. His drop off from the 81 catches he had last year is a big reason why the Browns are struggling and if they're to get on track expect Landry to be the receiver making the tough catches, especially on third down.