Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is familiar with his Week 8 matchup — the Cleveland Browns.
Vrabel spent the 2024 season as a coaching and personnel consultant for the Browns, helping head coach Kevin Stefanski. Now, Vrabel is tasked with going against Cleveland and players he spent a year formulating relationships with, playing the Browns on Oct. 26 at Gillette Stadium in Week 8.
Part of the challenge Vrabel will face is Cleveland's defense. The Browns rank first in total yards allowed, third in passing yards allowed and fourth in rushing yards allowed.
"They're playing at a high level, they're playing with a lot of confidence," Vrabel said. "It's a lot of speed, a lot of disruption. They don't give you a whole lot of time to make decisions. And then there are enough changeups in there that you just have to be good. You have to be sound, can't hold on to the ball."
A big part of the Browns' defense has been their secondary, who intercepted Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa three times in Week 7. QB Drake Maye paid heed to the position group following their performance. Maye said the Browns' defense plays both man and zone, covering pass catchers tight at times. New England's quarterback noted that when the Browns play zone, their cornerbacks get their eyes on the quarterback to make plays on the ball.
Maye particularly highlighted two members of the secondary, cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, calling them one of the best cornerback duos New England will play. Campbell in Week 7 had a 34-yard pick-6, the first of his career. He is also tied for second in the NFL in passes defensed with 10, along with forcing two fumbles this season. Ward also has an interception and five passes defensed, along with 20 tackles.
Maye's top receiver this season, WR Stefon Diggs, said the Browns' secondary is always active and flying around. S Grant Delpit has been one of the players this season to fly around for Cleveland, using his versatility to make plays from the box and up high. Delpit this season has 37 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery, a sack, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and three passes defensed.
"They're a well-coached defense," Diggs said. "I think you can obviously see it jumps off at the tape that it's going to be another challenge for us. The top-ranked defense in the league kind of speaks for itself. If you watch the tape a little bit, you see, it's going to be good. It's going to be big for us to be on the details and be open."
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.
Diggs being open for Maye is going to be essential against Cleveland's pass rush, the top defense in the NFL in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN Analytics. Maye noted how the Browns' quick pass rush works in tandem with their secondary. With players like DE Myles Garrett on the defensive line, they have forced quarterbacks to make quick decisions, allowing cornerbacks and safeties to get a jump.
"Them getting to the quarterback, the ball out part of it, the team's wanting to get the ball out fast anyway," Maye said. "So, just knowing with 1-on-1 opportunities and knowing when we do have a little more protection up front to try to take advantage of the down-the-field throws. I think their corners do a good job of sitting on stuff because they know the ball may be out, and their safeties do a good job of getting their eyes back because they're seeing the rush from their point of view."
Garrett heads a defense with 18 sacks this season, including seven in the last three games. T Will Campbell will help block Cleveland's edge rushers, including Garrett. The rookie lineman recognized that while Garrett heads the defensive line, he isn't the only player that can make an impact.
Garrett has five sacks this season, leading the Browns, while DT Maliek Collins has 3.5 sacks and DE Alex Wright has two. Along with Garrett, Collins and Wright, four other Browns linemen have recorded a sack, forcing offensive lines to diversify their blocking schemes.
Campbell looked beyond the Browns' defensive line as well, saying the Browns' linebackers have played well this season and that they have skillful defensive backs. He said Cleveland has a talented defense from top to bottom, acknowledging the challenge New England faces on Oct. 26.
"We have to be ready to go," Campbell said.
