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Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots: 5 Bold predictions for Week 8

By Cody Williams

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammate Stephon Gilmore #24 after intercepting the ball against the New York Jets of the New England Patriots during the first half at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammate Stephon Gilmore #24 after intercepting the ball against the New York Jets of the New England Patriots during the first half at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Can the Cleveland Browns realize their potential and challenge the undefeated New England Patriots? Bold predictions for this Week 8 matchup.

Lo and behold, the New England Patriots are a dominant NFL team again — stop me if you’ve heard that one before. They come into Week 8 as one of two NFL teams yet to suffer a loss and have been putting a historically great defensive effort onto the field to fuel their success. Now, they welcome the ailing Cleveland Browns to Foxborough on Sunday afternoon for what might actually be the Pats’ toughest matchup of the 2019 season yet.

Make no mistake, the Browns have been among the most disappointing teams in the league so far this season. Despite the hype around Baker Mayfield, newcome Odell Beckham Jr. and this talented roster, they are 2-4 coming into this matchup against the Patriots as Freddie Kitchens’ team has failed to live up to the hype.

However, Cleveland is coming off of the bye week as they head to Gillette Stadium. And as impressive as Tom Brady, the Patriots defense and New England as a whole have been this year, this is by far the most talented roster they’ve faced this season. If the Browns have shored some things up in the week off, they have the pieces to cause the Pats some issues.

But that leaves the big question: Will they? Let’s take a look at how things could play out in Week 8 with five bold predictions for the Cleveland Browns on the road against the New England Patriots.

5. Gilmore nabs pick-six off Baker

Amidst the Patriots defensive dominance this season as they’ve got the best point differential through seven games since 1920, a catalyst for that has been the performance of cornerback Stephon Gilmore. He’s emerged as arguably the best player at the position in the entire league and has backed that up with three interceptions already on the year. That does not bode particularly well for Baker Mayfield.

While the issues are not limited to this with Mayfield this season, his turnover woes have been a plague. Through six games, he already has 11 interceptions after throwing 14 in as many games as a rookie last year. His gunslinger mentality can make him special but it’s hurt him while he’s struggling this season. And Gilmore will make him pay for a mistake on Sunday, not only picking off the second-year quarterback but then taking it to the house.

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