Week 8 Score Predictions: Can Cleveland Browns save season vs. Patriots?

5 of 6

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 32-28. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Writer: Mike Lukas

Oh boy, been worried about this Week 8 Patriots matchup since they released the Browns’ schedule way back in April.

Absolutely everybody in the football world chalked this one up as a Browns’ loss, even back then, and it only seems more likely at this point in the season given how everything’s played out.

But, true to my word, I refuse to predict a Browns loss. (I’m a fan, why would I?)

So exactly how do the 2-4 Cleveland Browns beat the 7-0 New England Patriots?

I don’t know, how does a guy the size of David beat a giant like Goliath?

How does a man with a face like Jay Z’s land a looker like Beyonce?

How does any underdog win the game?

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Usually by having a clever game plan.

Little David had his sling shot skills, questionably-handsome Jay Z has talent and a whole lot of money, both solid game plans against formidable competition.

So what should the Browns game plan be against these perfect Patriots?

The first part is obvious – minimize penalties and turnovers. Why beat ourselves before the Patriots even get a chance to?

The next part is even more difficult – our playmakers must shine. Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams (with the support of their teammates) must play the best game of their lives. And that’s regardless of New England’s number one defense. You know, the one that leads the league in points allowed per game (6.9), total interceptions (18) and are second in sacks (26).

Ouch.

The final part of the Browns’ winning game plan is simple but tricky to execute – anticipate what Bill Belichick will do via Tom Brady and his defense and counter those moves. These two GOATs will obviously attempt to neutralize Chubb and Beckham and put tremendous pressure on Baker in the pocket while Brady gets rid of the ball quickly to eliminate the threat of Garrett and Olivier Vernon. And you know they’re going to play with their new toy, deep threat receiver Mohamed Sanu, especially whenever the Browns focus too closely on the Pats’ two-headed rushing monster.

So counter that. Game plan knowing that.

Throw quicker, pass to secondary targets, disguise the runs better. Hell, I’m not an NFL head coach, but Freddie Kitchens is, and he gets paid plenty to figure these things out.

Kitchens is David, is Jay Z, and the Pats are Goliath and Beyonce. And as small and ugly as the Browns look right now, they can win this one with a clever game plan and flawless execution.

You know, simple stuff, like total perfection. I’m guessing slinging the perfect rock or pitching the ideal record deal is no more or less difficult than playing pro football for 60 minutes without penalties or turnovers.

Bottom line, for the 2-4 Cleveland Browns to beat the 7-0 New England Patriots, something special has to happen on Sunday in Foxborough. And it could, but not by expecting Belichick or Brady to underestimate the Browns, because they will not do that. Ever.

No, it will be up to Baker’s Browns to finally live up to their offseason hype and play big enough (and perfect enough) to shock the world by stealing a win at Gillette.

Could happen, be fun (and shocking) if it did.

With the right game plan, it might be fun to watch even if it doesn’t.

Regardless, I pick the Browns to win, because that’s what fans do.

Prediction: Browns 24, Patriots 22

Home/Browns News