NFL Week 14 (12/8/13): Browns (4-8) @ Patriots (9-3) [1:00 PM EST, CBS]

[Frank Stallone]

One of my biggest pet peeves in all of sports. Has this EVER benefited a NFL team?

The only thing prevent defense does is prevent you from winning.

 

[The Oi]

One of my biggest pet peeves in all of sports. Has this EVER benefited a NFL team?

All the time. Pretty much every week it benefits teams.

You only notice it when teams get beat using it.

 

[Frank Stallone]

They can learn from this. Hopefully that is what they get out of this game. Light a fire under their ass.

 

[Binkster]

I knew I shouldn't have looked at ESPN. Why, WHY would I look at ESPN?!

So pissed.

 

[MoFlo]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jason Campbell, Josh Gordon, Browns thoroughly outplayed Brady, Pats at Foxboro. But the Pats are 10-3.</p>&mdash; Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/statuses/409802088940466177">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I mean come on it was so obvious that Browns CB mauled that Patriots wide rec....ok. Clear trolling. My bad.</p>&mdash; Colin Cowherd (@ESPN_Colin) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPN_Colin/statuses/409801278118965248">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Feel bad for the Cleveland Browns. They had that game won against the Patriots. &quot;Let em off the hook&quot; (Dennis Green voice)</p>&mdash; Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) <a href="https://twitter.com/kirkmorrison/statuses/409799432339615744">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Several <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Browns&amp;src=hash">#Browns</a> very upset with late-game calls. Kruger on McFadden pass interference: &quot;I thought it was terrible . . .</p>&mdash; Tom Reed (@treed1919) <a href="https://twitter.com/treed1919/statuses/409816316686524416">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Browns&amp;src=hash">#Browns</a> HC Chud and several players said they didn't agree with crucial pass interference call on rookie CB Leon McFadden.</p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/statuses/409816745185013760">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[WellYouNeednt]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3S_cIREw6cc?list=UUwNvdtSQfkljyW_FT-BNZWA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Akron330]

All the time. Pretty much every week it benefits teams.

You only notice it when teams get beat using it.

Explain to me the benefits of this.....

I'm not asking to be an asshole, I just don't understand why teams do this. There are other ways to keep receivers in front of you and hold onto a lead than drop into a zone, go with what got you there.

 

[The Oi]

Explain to me the benefits of this.....

I'm not asking to be an asshole, I just don't understand why teams do this. There are other ways to keep receivers in front of you and hold onto a lead than drop into a zone, go with what got you there.

The benefit is that it ensures you don't get beat long and often results in interceptions. Teams do it literally every week and are successful with it.

 

[WellYouNeednt]

The benefit is that it ensures you don't get beat long and often results in interceptions. Teams do it literally every week and are successful with it.

Not in the situation we were in - the game was still close, with plenty of time left. There is no reason they should have went into the prevent in that situation.

 

[MRMsix6]

One of the Browniest Browns losses in recent memory!

Bravo all around.


At least Gordon is stomping all over the Browns pathetic receiving records.

 

[Akron330]

The benefit is that it ensures you don't get beat long and often results in interceptions. Teams do it literally every week and are successful with it.

I understand that, I just don't like it.

I've never liked the basic principles of a prevent defense, I would rather we continue to jam them up and make the drive the length of the field without giving up big plays. The problem with a prevent, especially against a guy like Tom Brady is that he can recognize it and find the holes in the zone. He wasn't having that much luck moving the ball down the field when we weren't in the prevent so why change.

 

[elcheato]

Gordon & Cameron are both probably top 3 at their respective position, and they both played about only a year of college ball.

 

[MoFlo]

Good for Poyer:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Browns DB Jordan Poyer: &quot;We cannot expect any calls to go our way, especially when you are playing the New England Patriots.&quot;</p>&mdash; WEEI (@WEEI) <a href="https://twitter.com/WEEI/statuses/409823146150096896">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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And here you go:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Former VP/Officiating for NFL &gt;&gt; RT <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePereira">@MikePereira</a> .<a href="https://twitter.com/Browns">@Browns</a> fans - that was definitely NOT pass interference
<a href="http://t.co/WHRdCoL2vW">http://t.co/WHRdCoL2vW</a></p>&mdash; Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RuiterWrongFAN/statuses/409823551521558528">December 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[polska2211]

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4754819/rapid-reaction-new-england-patriots-9

What it means: Everything. Not the outcome of the game,which was another amazing Patriots comeback that was only solidified after Browns kicker Billy Cundiff was short with a 58-yard attempt at the final gun. Tight end Rob Gronkowski being carted off the field midway through the third quarter with a serious leg injury is a season-changer for New England. Gronkowski is that much of a difference-maker. In the postgame news conference Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, "Rob was taken to the hospital for a observation and evaluation on his injury. That's all I have on that."

Measuring Gronkowski's impact: Since his return to action on Oct. 20, Gronkowski almost single-handedly changed the Patriots offense. The Patriots were 22nd in points per game before Gronkowski returned; they were seventh entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 30th in red-zone efficiency without Gronkowski; they were 11th entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 19th in passing yards per game without Gronkowski; they were 10th entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 16th in first downs per game before Gronkowski returned; they were fifth entering Sunday's game.

Where the Patriots go from here without Gronkowski: Assuming tests reveal what many assume -- that Gronkowski will be out for the season with a leg/knee injury -- the Patriots won't be able to find a player to replace his production. They'll need to find new ways to create offense, such as what we saw in parts of the second half with running back Shane Vereen becoming a greater part of the passing offense. From a pure 1-for-1 personnel standpoint, tight end D.J. Williams -- who was released on Wednesday -- could be brought back to add another tight end along with Matthew Mulligan and recovering Michael Hoomanawanui (knee).

Unbelievable comeback: Gronkowski's injury cast a cloud over a remarkable comeback. How do the Patriots keep digging themselves into an early hole, when it seems the game is lost, only to pull it out? It's one of the team's most redeeming qualities -- they are hard to knock out and play all 60 minutes (and sometimes beyond). This was simply stunning, requiring an onside kick to be recovered with one minute remaining -- and the benefit of what looked like a generous 29-yard pass interference penalty -- to set up the game-winning touchdown. Wow. Patriots fans have seen some of the ugliest football the Patriots have played this season ... and also some of the most remarkable comebacks.

Where's the protection?: When considering why the Patriots' offense struggled as much as it did, after crediting the Browns defense, one area to look at from a New England perspective is inconsistent offensive line play. Quarterback Tom Brady was under pressure at various points in the game. Left tackle Nate Solder and left guard Logan Mankins, arguably the two best linemen on the team, were beaten for sacks.

Stock watch -- coaching staff: One week after being praised for their in-game adjustments, the Patriots' staff finds itself in this category as the Patriots sputtered out of the gate with another slow start. Something isn't getting through.

Ridley back in the mix with 17 snaps: After he was a healthy scratch last Sunday in Houston because of ball-security issues, running back Stevan Ridley was active and used as part of a committee with Shane Vereen and LeGarrette Blount. Ridley was the third player in the mix, as we counted him on the field for 17 snaps (including penalties).

What's next: The Patriots travel to South Florida to face the Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 15 (1 p.m. ET).

hahahahahah oh my god get the fuck out of here

 

[Dr. Claw]

On the plus side, Gordon manages to increase his yards per game and Brandon Weeden didnt play.

also, the Browns draft position moves up, so the "Weeden Replacement" can be drafted as well. But LOL. When I saw the Browns actually had points I knew Weeden couldn't have been playing