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

No. 1: Matthew Judon

The Patriots have always had a solid defense under the watchful eye of Bill Belichick. However, the makeup and strength of the defense have undergone many different transformations over the years. New England’s defense of the early 2000s was a multiple-front defense built to change on a game-by-game basis.

Then during the offensive explosion period of the 2010s, New England employed a bend but don’t break approach that was predicated on creating turnovers and tightening up in the red zone. The Patriots’ defense once again finds itself in a transition period that is utilizing the multifaceted skill set of their safeties.

But one thing that this current iteration of New England’s defense can do is rush the passer. So far, the Patriots have 13 sacks on the season. The player that is wreaking the most havoc on the Patriots is Matthew Judon who leads the team with six sacks.

Judon is the only player in the NFL to have at least one sack in every game through the first five weeks of the 2022 season. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Judon is quietly having himself the most productive season of his professional career. The Patriots have found the perfect role for Judon to utilize his ability to effect games coming off the edge and marry what they do with their defensive front with their back end.

In Week 5 against the Detroit Lions, Judon racked up two sacks including a strip sack fumble that safety Kyle Dugger took to the house. Judon is a game wrecker that the Browns must account for, especially when they find themselves in predictive passing situations.