4 Patriots that the Browns need to have a plan for in Week 6

No. 2: Rhamondre Stevenson

Given how the Browns run defense has performed over the course of the last two games, don’t be surprised if Bill Belichick and the Patriots come off the bus in the Wing-T formation. The Patriots are a run-first offense by design, and that is only going to get ramped up by Cleveland’s inability to get ball carriers on the ground.

And the ball carrier that the Browns will have to get on the ground is Rhamondre Stevenson. The second-year running back out of the University of Oklahoma is a handful for any defense, but especially for a defense that is struggling as much as the Browns currently are. Listed at six feet even and 230 pounds, Stevenson is a punishing north and south running back that is perfect for the Patriots offensive system.

Last week against the Lions, Stevenson notched a career-high 25 carries for an impressive 161 rushing yards. With fellow New England running back Damien Harris sidelined with a hamstring injury, it’s hard to imagine Stevenson getting any less than 20 touches against this ailing Browns defense. If the home team has any hope of bottling up Stevenson, it’s going to take a total team effort of defenders rallying to the ball.

With both teams being deliberate on controlling this contest with their running game, possessions and points are going to be at a premium. The winner of Sunday’s game could very well be decided by whichever team is more successful running the rock. Browns vs Patriots 2022: six yards and a cloud of dust.