The Browns face Patriots QB Drake Maye in Week 8, providing a test for the defense against the quarterback's abilities.
Maye leads the NFL with a 75.2 completion percentage through New England's first seven games – just the second player all-time to do so, per NFL Communications. Maye picked apart the Titans' defense in Week 7, completing more than 90 percent of his passes. In Week 8, Cleveland's defense will look to pressure Maye and force him into mistakes.
"He's a great quarterback," CB Denzel Ward said. "He has been playing very well for those guys and that's showing. So regardless of whether they're short or deep, he's making the passes, those guys are catching it, and we just have to make it tough on those guys."
Maye's success has come in bunches all over the field, but he has utilized the deep ball to his advantage. Maye has not missed a pass of more than 20 yards since Week 1, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He has also used the deep ball to score, throwing five touchdowns since Week 2 with 20-plus-yard passes, including four in Week 6 and 7 combined.
"As defensive backs, we love when they throw it deep," S Grant Delpit said. "That's opportunities for us, especially for Denzel (Ward) with the speed he has. I'm sure he loves seeing that ball hang up there."
Delpit said teams typically throw quick passes rather than the ball deep in order to limit the impact of Cleveland's defensive line. The last three opponents and quarterbacks the Browns have faced – the Vikings, Steelers and Dolphins – have, on average, passed the ball in less than 2.67 seconds, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa are all in the top five of the stat, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. In those three games, Cleveland's defense sacked the quarterback a combined seven times.
Maye's time to throw is 2.83 seconds, allowing slightly more time for the defensive line to sack him. For the secondary, that means guarding receivers for longer, which Maye has used to his advantage to complete passes. New England's quarterback has also utilized his offensive line to give him more time to throw, which gives his receivers more time to get separation.
For the defense to make life tough on Maye, the defensive line, linebackers and the secondary will need to work together to put Maye in trouble.
"That's just our whole mantra, rush and coverage work together," Ward said. "So, we just have to do a great job with the rush, causing some havoc up there and us staying tight in coverage, not making it easy for him, not getting easy access or reads on those throws, and being able to get our hands on the ball."
When Maye hasn't seen an open pass, he can scramble and pick up yards on the ground himself. He has 200 rushing yards, fifth among NFL quarterbacks, and two touchdowns on the ground.
"It always adds another facet that you have to be aware of on defense, and we obviously have a game plan for that," LB Carson Schwesinger said. "Then, it's just a matter of making sure that we're doing our job.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
A cleat during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) and Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) and Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) and Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Linebacker Eugene Asante (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Offensive guard LaDarius Henderson (67) and Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Offensive guard Teven Jenkins (74) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 22, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 23, 2025.
The Browns are coming off a game against Miami where they forced four takeaways. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said against Maye, who has only thrown two interceptions so far this season, Cleveland needs to stay within the framework of its defense.
"I think a big message for our defense, and I'm sure most defenses, is 'do your job'," Stefanski said. "You don't go looking for an interception and you use your technique when you're tackling and the second guy in punches the ball out. So, doing your job, the ball, you'll be in position to make plays on the ball."
The Browns staying in the framework of their defense and getting pressure is how they forced Tagovailoa to throw three interceptions. Keeping a disciplined mindset will be crucial against a dual-threat quarterback like Maye.
The second-year quarterback has shown poise through seven weeks passing the ball across the field. Cleveland's defense will heed to the game plan that Stefanski and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz give them to work in unison.
"He's accurate, big arm, very mobile, kind of checks all those boxes," Stefanski said. "He's doing a good job of operating in that offense, and then playing off schedule – he can scramble, he's very, very fast. So, he's doing a lot of things well."
