Boston Area News

FOXBORO (Sports Network) ― The Cleveland Browns have shown themselves to be an improved team over this season's first month. The longtime doormats get to see just how far they've come this Sunday, when the club heads to Gillette Stadium to take on the powerful New England Patriots.

After being routed by the Pittsburgh Steelers at home in Week 1, it didn't seem like the Browns were much different than the group that posted a miserable 4-12 record in 2006. Cleveland has turned its fortunes around, however, by winning two of its next three games following a sudden quarterback switch.

Opening day starter Charlie Frye was shipped to Seattle just days after the Pittsburgh loss, putting a talented offense in the hands of the unproven Derek Anderson. The change has proven to be a success so far, as the Browns have averaged an impressive 34 points in Anderson's three games under center and the third-year signal-caller has thrown eight touchdown passes over that span.

Cleveland had its most eye-opening win of the campaign last Sunday, sending the defending AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens to a humbling 27-13 loss.

While the Browns have been one of the NFL's biggest surprises at the season's quarter point, New England has unquestionably been the most dominant team in the early going. The Patriots have ripped off four consecutive wins, all by a margin of 21 points or more, and currently own the league's top-rated defense and second-ranked offense.

Unflappable quarterback Tom Brady has emerged as the early front-runner for MVP honors, while New England's offseason acquisition of controversial wide receiver Randy Moss has made a monumental impact. The former Oakland Raider has amassed 100 yards or more in each of his first four games as a Patriot and already has scored seven touchdowns this season.

New England kept its quest for perfection going with a 34-13 dismantling of Cincinnati on Monday night. The Patriots piled up 173 rushing yards against the Bengals despite being without top running back Laurence Maroney, with backup Sammy Morris showing off the team's considerable depth by amassing 117 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Sunday's game marks the return to Foxborough for two current Browns who played instrumental roles in New England's run of three Super Bowl victories in a four-year stretch from 2001-04. Cleveland head coach Romeo Crennel was the Patriots' defensive coordinator on each of those championship teams, while veteran linebacker Willie McGinest spent 12 years in New England before signing with the Browns prior to the 2006 season.

There are ties on the opposite side as well, as Patriots head coach Bill Belichick served in the same capacity with Cleveland from 1991-95 and guided the Browns to their last playoff win back in 1994. That triumph, incidentally, came against New England.

SERIES HISTORY

Cleveland holds an 11-8 edge in the all-time regular season series, but has lost five of the last six dating back to the 1995 season. Cleveland's only win over that stretch was a 19-11 home victory in 2000. The Patriots were 42-15 road winners when the teams last met, in 2004, and took a 9-3 decision when the clubs last did battle in New England, in 2003. The Browns are 0-3 at the Patriots since last winning in New England, under Belichick, in 1992.

In addition to their regular season advantage, the Browns hold a 1-0 lead in the all-time postseason series. That win, a 20-13 home decision in 1994, was engineered with Belichick at the controls of the Browns.

Belichick is 3-1 against the team he coached for five seasons. Crennel, who as mentioned, was an assistant coach under Belichick with the Patriots from 2001 through 2004, will be meeting both his former boss and employer for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL

Cleveland has developed into a dangerous quick-strike unit with Anderson (964 passing yards, 9 TD, 5 INT) at the controls the last few weeks. The strong- armed 24-year-old has compensated for a lackluster 52.6 percent completion rate by displaying good decision-making and a knack for the big play. Anderson also possesses two game-changing receivers to work with in wideout Braylon Edwards (18 receptions, 4 TD) and tight end Kellen Winslow (20 receptions, 1 TD), and he's received solid protection from an improved line that's yielded only one sack over the last three games. Edwards is averaging over 20 yards per catch and had an early 78-yard touchdown connection with Anderson that set the tone for last week's win over the Ravens. A partially dislocated shoulder hasn't even slowed down the rugged Winslow, who had 96 yards on four grabs against Baltimore while fighting through the injury.

An inconsistent ground game is keyed by veteran back Jamal Lewis, whose 371 rushing yard ranks seventh in the NFL heading into this week's play. However, 216 of those came in the Browns' wild win over rival Cincinnati in Week 2. Cleveland ranks 15th overall in rushing offense (114.8 ypg) and 10th in passing yards (232.8 ypg).

The Browns' upgraded attack will face a challenge from a New England defense that is allowing a league-low 226 yards a game and a stout 12 points per contest. The Patriots have been especially stingy against the run, having surrendered under 70 rushing yards per game (3rd overall), and could be even tougher in that area come Sunday with the return of two-time Pro Bowl strong safety Rodney Harrison from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's steroid policy. A stellar four-man linebacking corps is highlighted by the versatile Mike Vrabel (20 tackles), who leads the team with 3 1/2 sacks, and standout inside man Adalius Thomas (22 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT).

The Patriots have been equally as strong defending the pass, where playmaking cornerback Asante Samuel (10 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PD) headlines a secondary that has given up the fourth-fewest yards through the air (156.3 ypg).

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL

New England's remarkably efficient offense is averaging an excellent 431.8 yards per game and tops the NFL with a 51.3 percent success rate converting third downs. Most of the credit has to go to Brady (1,118 passing yards, 2 INT), who's completed his throws at an astounding 79 percent clip and has passed for a league-high 13 scores thus far. But having Moss (31 receptions, 7 TD) and his NFL-best 505 receiving yards certainly helps. Wes Welker (23 receptions, 1 TD) and Donte Stallworth (8 receptions) are two other quality receiving targets, while tight end Benjamin Watson (11 receptions, 3 TD) is a guy Brady often looks to near the goal-line.

The Patriots are hopeful that Maroney (252 rushing yards) will be able to return from a groin strain that kept the second-year back out of the Cincinnati game. If not, Morris (268 rushing yards) proved in Monday's tilt that he can handle an extended load. The eighth-year pro is averaging a robust five yards per carry and scored three touchdowns as the team's primary short- yardage carrier. New England's 157 rushing yards per game are the fourth-best mark in the league.

Whoever runs the ball for the Patriots should be able to find holes in a Cleveland defense that has surrendered the third-most rushing yards in the league (160.0) and ranks 31st overall in total yards allowed (427.5 ypg). Baltimore's Willis McGahee became the fourth straight back to run for over 100 yards against the Browns this season, totaling 104 on a mere 14 attempts last Sunday. Cleveland was without veteran end Orpheus Roye (13 tackles), who is dealing with swelling in his surgically-repaired knee in last week's win, but the team is expected to get the longtime starter back for this matchup.

The Browns have had plenty of struggles against opposing aerial attacks as well, as the club stands 30th in passing yards allowed (267.5 ypg) and has given up a league-worst 12 touchdowns through the air. Pressuring the quarterback has been another issue, with Cleveland having produced a meager four sacks so far. Two of those takedowns have come from talented young linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (12 tackles). The secondary is green in a number of key areas, but it does have a pair of battle-tested performers in cornerback Leigh Bodden (18 tackles, 2 INT, 5 PD) and strong safety Sean Jones (25 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PD).

FANTASY FOCUS

Brady and Moss are must-plays no matter who the opponent is, but facing a Cleveland defense that has been shredded by lesser combos should make owners of both players very happy come Sunday. Those who have Maroney need to closely monitor his injury situation. If he plays, there's reason to expect plenty of yards against the Browns' submissive stop unit. However, there's a good chance Maroney splits time with Morris, who appears to have taken over Corey Dillon's old role as goal-line specialist and is an adequate option as a No. 2 back or flex player. The Patriots' defense hasn't let up yet, so don't expect that to change this week.

The Browns don't possess a lot of good fantasy prospects in this matchup. Winslow is the best of the bunch and has emerged as an every-week starter at tight end, while Edwards has a chance to put up some solid numbers as well. Stay away from using Lewis and Anderson, however.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Crennel and McGinest may receive a warm welcome from their former charges and teammates before the game, but they'll probably be sent home unhappy. The Patriots have been as flawless as any team can be over a four-week span, and it's hard to believe that a porous Cleveland defense will be able to stop Brady, Moss or New England's effective running game. Unless the Patriots decide to sleepwalk through this one, they'll be able to name their score and remain unblemished heading into next week's marquee showdown with Dallas.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Patriots 38, Browns 17

(Sports Network)