Patriots at Browns Week 5: Highlights, score and recap

Tom Brady’s return went off without a hitch, as he threw three touchdown passes to help the New England Patriots beat the Cleveland Browns 33-13.

Martellus Bennett caught three of those scores, as Brady led a high-percentage passing game to pick the Browns apart at FirstEnergy Stadium.

But it wasn’t all about Brady and the offense. A fired-up Patriots defense shut down what had been the top-rated running game in the NFL, and knocked quarterback Cody Kessler out of the game in the first half.

The game was actually tied at seven when Kessler was forced off after a hit from beefy blitzing linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Kessler had turned Cleveland’s first possession into a scoring one, when he connected with slot receiver Andrew Hawkins for six.

Yet it was a tough day for the 0-5 Browns, who have just one more loss than starting quarterbacks this season, after seeing Charlie Whitehurst take the field against the Pats.

Connor Hamlett caught a late touchdown from Whitehurst, but the consolation was wafer thin.

Three Stars

1. Tom Brady

Brady’s the obvious star to start with after excelling on his return from a four-game suspension. He threw for 406 yards and seemed perfectly at ease in a system that’s become second nature for him.

In particular, Brady was a model of efficiency, staying turnover free and spreading the ball around among a host of pass-catchers.

Brady involved everybody, from unheralded deep threat Chris Hogan to marquee tight end Rob Gronkowski. The latter looked a different player with No. 12 back throwing the passes, per NFL Research:

That connection was alive and well, but it was another Pats tight end who really benefited from Brady’s return.

2. Martellus Bennett

New England’s “other” tight end was always going to be a matchup nightmare for these Browns. The Gronk’s not completely healthy, while the Pats are one of the most creative teams in league near the goal-line.

Bennett is clutch near the goal-line, as he proved with a pair of short-range scoring grabs. But he’s also not without his own big-play chops, as he proved when he turned a swing route 37 yards upfield to complete his third touchdown.

This is what the Patriots hoped for from Bennett. Not only a player who would combine well with Gronkowski, but also a tight end Brady can count on when his favorite target is missing or quiet.

3. Alan Branch

No matter who played quarterback, the Browns’ only real hope was to lean on the best rushing attack in football. Of course, the Patriots knew it and committed themselves to shutting down Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, with nose tackle Alan Branch the key figure.

New England’s man mountain in the middle destroyed running plays at their source. He clogged lanes, pushed blockers back and forced Crowell and Johnson sideways. This was an exhibition in nose tackle play by one of the most underrated trench warriors in the game.

Pats head coach Bill Belichick has always built his defenses around a tough, big body in the middle. Branch is just the latest mammoth marvel underpinning New England’s front seven.

Next Week

The Browns will be on the road against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6, while the Patriots welcome the Cincinnati Bengals to Gillette Stadium.