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The New England Patriots dominated the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, winning 32-13 in a blowout win at home. The Browns jumped out to an early 7-3 lead after their first drive of the game. Then, it was all New England the rest of the way. After the game, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked why it took his defense a few drives to settle in, and how the Browns scored an opening drive touchdown before being shut down until the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter. He seemed to shade the Browns while answering the question. “We’ve got to take care of the ball better and continue to find opportunities,” he said. “They hadn’t turned it over, and then when their gimmick plays ran out, I thought we played pretty good defense.” FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 26: Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski talks with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel prior to the game at Gillette Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) The “gimmick plays” comment appears to be the shot at the Browns, and specifically head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns ran a few funky plays on the first drive, including the touchdown in which tight end Harold Fannin Jr. lined up as the fullback. wide open look for the rooks!#CLEvsNE on FOX and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/mgAtR67fC8— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 26, 2025 However, after their opening drive — a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive — the Browns didn’t have a drive longer than five plays until the fourth quarter. Those were there only two drives longer than five plays all game. Is it Shedeur Sanders Time for the Browns? The Browns moved to 2-6 on the season, and the loss led to more calls for the Browns to give rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders an opportunity. Fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has led the Browns to a 1-3 record in his four starts. Overall, he’s completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 702 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. While four starts is far from enough time to give a rookie quarterback, the Browns are in the unusual position of having two rookie quarterbacks they drafted. The Browns are entering a bye week, thus giving them plenty of time to decide who they want starting at quarterback when they take the field again in Week 10 against the New York Jets, who just got their first win of the season on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. For all the latest NFL news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
