The Browns defense gave the Patriots offense plenty of trouble in the first half on Sunday, but for the second week in a row, Drake Maye and company kicked into gear and pulled away around halftime, earning a 32-13 victory that moved them to 6-2 on the 2025 season.

Dillon Gabriel and the Browns offense came out hot, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive of the game, but from that point, the Patriots defense took over, holding Cleveland off the scoreboard for the rest of the half. The D then started the second half off with back-to-back interceptions, the first by Robert Spillane, the second an acrobatic one-handed pick by Jaylinn Hawkins, as the momentum in the game quickly and decisively swung in the Patriots favor.

With consecutive scores and interceptions in the third quarter, the Patriots created the separation they needed, pulling away and ensuring a fifth-straight win.

Here’s how it all unfolded!

1. Pats Get Three, Browns Get Seven

The Pats took an early lead on their first drive of the game, getting solid chunk plays from TreVeyon Henderson, who had a 12-yard run and an 18-yard run, while Drake Maye chipped in a 16-yard scramble of his own. Rhamondre Stevenson delivered a key third-down conversion but unconventionally, motioning outside and running a slant that he caught for 15 yards. It was a reminder of how well-rounded Stevenson’s game is and how many different ways he can contribute.

The drive fizzled out inside the red zone, with Myles Garrett picking up a sack on the final third down to get the red zone stop for Cleveland. New England settled for the 36-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.

The Browns quickly answered as the Patriots early-game defensive struggles continued. New England forced a long third down initially, but rookie QB Dillon Gabriel. Rookie tight end Harold Fanin did the most damage on the drive, picking up 31 yards on a 3rd-and-11 and then walking into the end zone with an 18-yard touchdown catch. The drive took just six plays to go 70 yards as the Browns took back the lead. Receiver Malachi Corley also tallied a big play, taking a jet sweep for 31 yards. Three chunk plays, including the touchdown, were the story on the drive

The defenses stepped up on the second drives for each team. The Patriots went three-and-out, and the Browns went four-and-out. On the Patriots third possession came the game’s first turnover as Maye threw a pick directly to Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger on a third-down play. It was the Patriots first turnover since the Bills game three weeks ago and Maye’s first since Week 3 against the Steelers.

Cleveland took over at New England’s 40-yard line after the interception. But the Patriots defense stepped up off the quick change, getting stops on three-straight downs, including a key pass breakup by Marcus Jones on what nearly looked like a wide-open touchdown. The Browns missed the ensuing 47-yard field goal, averting any negative swing off of the turnover. It was solid complementary football as New England looked to reestablish the offensive rhythm that they had on their first drive.