The Browns travel to Foxborough, Mass., to play the Patriots on Oct. 26, looking to grab their second consecutive win.
Cleveland beat the Dolphins 31-6 in Week 7 and are aiming to stack that momentum into their Week 8 matchup against the Patriots. New England has won its last four games and is playing its first home game after a three-game road trip.
"Great challenge in front of us," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Very good football team, on the road, our conference. So, excited about that challenge. Have had a good week with meetings, practice, you name it. The guys have done a nice job. So, we'll get on that airplane and then have to go play our best on Sunday."
As the Browns look to break New England's win streak and add a win to their own, here are three keys to the game.
Continue to force takeaways
Playing an offense with momentum like the Patriots, turnovers can help stall their recent momentum.
Patriots QB Drake Maye hasn't turned over the ball much, throwing two interceptions this and staying turnover-free since Week 3. Yet, Cleveland wants to build off its recent success in creating turnovers, after forcing four takeaways – including three interceptions and a fumble – against the Dolphins in Week 7. The Browns can make life hard for Maye by employing some of what they did against Miami, such as blitzes. On S Rayshawn Jenkins' interception, S Grant Delpit ran through an open hole where QB Tua Tagovailoa would either have had to throw the ball or take a safety.
Putting pressure on Maye and getting him to make an erratic throw will help throw him off his rhythm and also give Cleveland a chance to force him into a mistake.
"We have to keep it going now," CB Denzel Ward said. "Can't get complacent or just let that happen in just that one game. Have to build on top of it and keep the turnovers coming, and that's going to help this team out ultimately like it did this past game."
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson has had a history of fumbling the ball. Last season, Stevenson fumbled seven times and this season, he has fumbled three times. Delpit forced a fumble on a kickoff return in Week 7, the seventh forced fumble this season for Cleveland. The Browns' defense, according to LB Carson Schwesinger, stresses trying to wrap up the ball carrier and strip the ball away.
"I think regardless of who we're going against, every time somebody's going down to the ground, we're trying to get the ball out," Schwesinger said. "We were able to get one last week on kickoff, and there's always an emphasis on punching at the ball."
Stay solid on special teams
Playing in an environment like Gillette Stadium is not easy, according to assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone.
Ventrone noted that the weather at the stadium isn't ideal, with one side of the field open to the outside of the stadium, making it windier than a normal NFL stadium. Cleveland's special teams unit received a good test of kicking in bad conditions in Week 7, dealing with heavy rain and wind.
K Andre Szmyt made his lone field goal attempt and went 4 of 4 on extra points in Week 7 amid the conditions. Szmyt hasn't missed a kick in the last three games, making 5 of 5 field goal attempts, including making a 53-yarder against Pittsburgh. P Corey Bojorquez punted six times in Week 7, getting three punts within the 20-yard line and averaging 43 yards per punt.
"It's a tough place to kick. The weather's never good there," Ventrone said. "It looks like the weather might be decent for our game, but who knows. We just played in some weather and some elements this past weekend, so I think that was a good thing for us."
Staying solid on special teams also includes limiting New England's special teams unit. Ventrone noted weapons like S Brenden Schooler, who plays on multiple special teams units and was a first-team All-Pro in 2024, calling him the best special teamer in the NFL. Ventrone also mentioned Patriots K Andres Borregales, who is 5 of 5 on field goals and 16 of 16 on extra points in the last five weeks.
"The kicker's done a nice job. Obviously looked at the snapper in the pre-draft process," Ventrone said. "Both of those guys have done a nice job to this point. The guy that is a huge problem is 41, (Brenden) Schooler. He is everywhere. He's the best in the league. It's crazy."
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.
Establish the passing game
With QB Dillon Gabriel and the Browns offense going against a Patriots' defense that has been susceptible to the pass, ranking 24th in passing yards allowed, the Browns can look to use that to their advantage.
Against the Dolphins in Week 7, Gabriel passed the ball efficiently, completing 13 of 18 passing attempts for 116 yards, his best completion percentage this season. If Gabriel can continue to carry that poise and accuracy into Week 8, it could give the Browns' offense a much-needed spark. Such efficiency would force the Patriots to respect the pass.
"They're a great unit," Gabriel said. "They've been really good just throughout this year. You see that they play together and definitely have our hands full. They're a great squad."
While the Patriots' pass defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to thrive, New England's run defense ranks third in rushing yards allowed and hasn't allowed a 50-yard rusher this season. This makes it ever more important that Cleveland can get the passing game going if the Patriots continue the trend of stopping the run.
"They have a great D-line, a good secondary, but like I always say, it's not about what they do, it's about what we do," WR Jerry Jeudy said. "We just do our job and execute, and it's going to be a good game for us."
