FOXBROUGH, Mass.: The Patriots and Browns have wade through various levels of adversity to get it back above .500.
Cleveland (5-4) is essentially forced out of town through quarterback Baker Mayfield’s left shoulder issues and disgruntled receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The Patriots (5-4) have made a comeback from a 1-3 start and a three-game winning streak while enduring some early growing pains by rookie quarterback Mac Jones after Tom Brady’s final season in New England in 2019. It is their longest.
It brought the two teams into a matchup on Sunday, which could have a big impact on how they head for the rest of the season.
The spotlight will be on how both offenses handle their ongoing game with Browns star Nick Chubs, availability in doubt after a positive COVID-19 test and the status of Patriots chief rusher Damien Harris, also up in the air, when He started the week at the end of the week. ,
Mayfield believes his team has responded well to the challenges they have faced so far.
We have a flexible group.” What kind of group do we have.
The Browns are first in the league in rising yardage (1,442), average per attempt (5.3 yards) and touchdowns (16). Chubb has been the catalyst, finishing third in the NFL with 721 rushing yards. But if he is out, Darnest Johnson will start with Kareem Hunt (calf), who is out for the fourth straight game. Johnson ran for a career-best 146 yards and a TD on his debut against Denver on October 21.
We have full faith in Durnest. It hasn’t been a question yet,” Mayfield said.
Jones has impressed many around the league with the poise he showed through his first nine NFL games. That list includes Mayfield, who said Jones is playing with the kind of on-field identity that is rare for a boy of that age.
Jones has completed at least 70% of his passes in five of his first nine games, being the only rookie quarterback to do so. Still, the work ethic he’s shown to correct his mistakes won at the Patriots locker room.
“I think that’s what separates people who really do do certain things in this league, because they really respect football,” receiver Nelson Agholor said. He respects this opportunity and I think he does. For every lapse or everything he doesn’t see as his best, he works hard.
Security guard
Brown invested in a proven item this week.
Cleveland pledged $104 million in contract extensions for Joel Bittonio and Wyatt Taylor, two versatile, athletic run blockers who make the Browns powerful running game.
Bittonio and Taylor do their best in plays in which they go to the other side of the line to deliver blocks.
Wyatt and I give us the ability to be versatile on offense, said Bittonio, who was drafted by Cleveland in 2014 and hopes to finish his career with the Browns. If you have players that you think are good players, especially in the trenches, you want to try and keep those because sometimes, those people are hard to find.
With their new deals, both Bittonio and Taylor are signed through the 2025 season.
It’s certainly an honor, Bittonio said. Being locked up has been good for both me and Wyatt.
rookie return
Making its strongest showing this season, the Browns defense may be getting a crucial piece back this week.
Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoa is expected to make a comeback on October 17 after missing three games due to an ankle sprain. Was settled in Notre Dame’s second-round pick and was playing well before suffering an injury.
It has been a great start for Owusu-Koramoah in their NFL career. He was out in training camp with COVID-19, needed stitches to close a cut after a weight-room accident and was briefly in the hospital with a sore throat after a game in Los Angeles. was admitted.
Through it all, he persevered.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. doesn’t have the ideal rookie season with everything, but he is a true professional. He comes every day with the same mindset whether it is rehab or whatever. I think it’s a true testament to a pro.
Adjustment of special teams?
The Patriots may have to adjust to special teams this week, with punt/kick returner Gunner Olszewski still working to come back from a concussion.
Olszewski earned All-Pro honors last season, averaging 17.3 yards per punt return with one touchdown. That number has dropped to 13.8 this season, but he remains a factor, breaking free for some long returns to help set up a scoring drive.
If he can’t go, the primary return duty could fall to receiver Jacobi Meyers, who relieved Olszewski after sustaining his head injury in last week’s win over Carolina.
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AP Sports Writer Tim Withers contributed to this report.
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