Cleveland Browns: 5 key players vs New England Patriots

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Quarter Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns and teammates huddle during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Quarter Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns and teammates huddle during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Running back Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns warms before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

5. Nick Chubb

By now, anyone who had any doubts about Nick Chubb being an elite running back in the NFL have been removed. Chubb has done all he can to prove just how good he has become in such a short time.

It’s not rare to see a young running back leading the league in rushing. A rookie or second-year player has led the NFL in the category since 2016 and has been at least in the top-three since 2014.

Currently, Chubb sits at fourth in league with 607 rushing yards and sits behind only Dalvin Cook in yards per carry. The Browns have been much better this season running the football than throwing it, and that will have to be the case against New England.

The Bills were able to keep things close in part thanks to a stout running game. The New England defense has been historically great up to this point. They’ve been stingy in every phase of defense. However, Frank Gore had 109 rushing yards in the game that the Buffalo Bills lost in a close contest. If the Browns want to win, they will have to limit the amount of time Tom Brady has with the football, and it starts with Chubb.