Patriots Week 8 Prediction – Pats Planet Writing Crew Each Drop Their Predictions
SCOTTY B (@patsplanetmedia)
Score: Patriots – 27, Browns – 9
I’ve given my prediction a couple times this week on the podcast episodes – and nothing has changed here. 27-9. I don’t see the Browns offense getting into the endzone against the Patriots defense. If there’s any shot the Browns have – it’s Quinshon Judkins. It’ll be interesting to see how the Patriots stout run defense holds up against Judkins, who’s been a stud this year as a rookie. Can’t say the same about his former teammate in college – TreVeyon Henderson.
Potential big game for TreVeyon in this one? Maybe.. but Drake Maye keeps the MVP campaign going and the Patriots win comfortably at home in this one.
NOW LET’S HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE CREW!
MICHAEL RODNICK (@MJRodnick)
Score: Patriots – 27, Browns – 13
Patriots Aim to Extend Hot Streak Against Struggling Browns
As the NFL regular season hits its stride in Week 8, all eyes in New England will turn to Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 26, where the surging New England Patriots (5-2) host the Cleveland Browns (2-5) in a matchup that pits a team on fire against one desperately seeking consistency. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on CBS, with the Patriots entering as 7-point favorites and the over/under hovering at 40.5 points. This AFC clash carries intrigue: New England, fresh off a dominant 31-13 road win over the Tennessee Titans that capped a perfect 3-0 road trip, looks to extend its winning streak to five games for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile, Cleveland snapped a four-game skid last week with a convincing 31-6 thumping of the Miami Dolphins, but their offense remains one of the league’s most anemic units.
The Patriots, led by second year quarterback Drake Maye, have transformed early-season promise into midseason reality. Maye has etched his name into the record books, becoming just the fourth QB in NFL historyâjoining legends like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomesâto post a 100-plus passer rating in six straight starts, all with at least 200 passing yards. New England’s offense ranks 15th in total yards (343.3 per game) and eighth in scoring (25.9 points), buoyed by a balanced attack that exploded for a season-high 175 rushing yards against Tennessee. Defensively, the Pats are a brick wall against the run, allowing just 77.1 yards per game (second in the NFL) and holding every opposing back under 50 yards this seasonâa franchise first.
On the other side, the Browns boast the league’s top-ranked defense, surrendering a miserly 256.1 yards per game, thanks in large part to the disruptive play of edge rusher Myles Garrett (five sacks) and a secondary that forced three interceptions and a fumble last week. Rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, making his third career start, impressed in Miami with zero picks, but his deep-ball accuracy ranks dead last league-wide (10-of-30 for 170 yards on 10+ air-yard throws). Cleveland’s ground game, spearheaded by rookie RB Quinshon Judkins (averaging strong yards but held under 60 just once), will test New England’s front seven, while their offense languishes at 30th in total yards (270.7 per game) and 30th in scoring (16.1 points).
Three Keys to a Patriots Victory
To keep their momentum rolling and solidify their grip on the AFC East lead, New England must nail these critical elements:
Stuff the Run Early and Often: The Pats’ vaunted rush defenseâthird in yards per carry at 3.44âfaces a Browns attack that’s 28th in rushing (92.6 yards per game). Holding Judkins and company under 80 yards would mark just the second time this season Cleveland dips below that threshold, forcing Gabriel into uncomfortable passing situations against a secondary that’s opportunistic with turnovers (+2 differential, 12th in the NFL).
Protect Maye from Garrett’s Wrath: Rookie left tackle Will Campbell has surrendered 15 pressures, three hits, and only two sacks, putting him in a high-stakes battle with Garrett, who’s tied for fifth in quick pressures (13). If the offensive line gives Maye a clean pocket to extend his historic streak, New England’s eighth-ranked passing game (239.9 yards per game) could carve up Cleveland’s coverage, which has allowed chunk plays despite its overall dominance.
Win the Hidden Game: Special Teams and Turnovers: The Patriots’ special teams unit has been electric, with CB Marcus Jones’ 87-yard punt return TD earlier this year and RB Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard kickoff score in Week 2. Cleveland’s defense thrives on chaos (three picks last week), but New England’s +2 turnover margin edges the Browns’ even keel. Forcing one extra giveaway could swing 10-14 points, turning a close contest into a comfortable lead.
Expect the Patriots’ balanced attack and home-field energy to overwhelm a Browns squad that’s potent on D but punchless offensively. Drake Maye threads the needle for 250 yards and two scores, while the Pats’ ground game grinds out 140 yards behind a committee effort. Cleveland hangs tough with Garrett’s pressure and a late Judkins score, but turnovers prove costly. Final score:Â Patriots 27, Browns 17.
New England improves to 6-2, keeping pace in the AFC playoff hunt.
DOM (@zerochillsports)
Score: Patriots 27, Browns 13
The Patriotsâ defense should make this one frustrating for Dillon Gabriel. Heâs been clean through the air so far this season, but this feels like the game where he finally makes that first mistake. With Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis locking down the outside, Clevelandâs passing game could struggle to find rhythm or separation.
On the other side, Quinshon Judkins is due for another big day for the Cleveland Browns. Expect the Browns to lean on him early and often, pounding through a Patriots front thatâs been poor against the run.
Key Predictions:
Quinshon Judkins: 100+ total yards, 1 TD
Patriotsâ defense: 1 INT off Dillon Gabriel and shutting down the pass game.
Drake Maye: 2 passing TDs, 0 INTs
A disciplined, defense-led performance with Judkins carrying the offensive load for Cleveland. The Browns hang around early, but New England pulls away in the second half â signaling continued growth under Vrabel and Maye.
ETHAN (@TheBostonBuzzer)
Score: Patriots – 23, Browns – 13
I expect this matchup to be a gritty, hard-fought battle where the team that makes the fewest mistakes will ultimately come out on top. As has become the trend this season, I anticipate that the Patriots defense will come out slow, allowing points on each of the Brownsâ first two drives of the ballgame.
However, Zak Kuhr and the rest of the defensive staff will make adjustments from there and dominate the rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel for the remainder of the day. The defensive line has been dominant of late and I would expect another strong performance, with the Browns allowing a 40% pressure rate to this point. That weakness, paired with Clevelandâs limited passing attack, will give the Patriots front ample opportunities to get to the quarterback and potentially force a turnover in the form of a fumble or interception.Â
Transitioning to Drake Maye and company, they will face a stiff test against one of the leagueâs best units. So far this season, the Browns rank 1st in total defense, allowing only 256.1 yards per game to opposing teams. This contest will serve as an excellent measuring stick for the offense, which has been humming in recent weeks. Similar to the defense, I think the Patriots offense will sputter early, as Maye and the offensive line figure out the Browns scheme and attempt to slow down Myles Garrett on the edge. As the game progresses though, I think Drake will prove to be too good to completely stop and will pick up steam towards the end of the first half and into the second. While points wonât come easily, I do believe that the Patriots passing attack will be good enough to stretch the field and create scoring opportunities. Keeping that in mind, I am forecasting big games for both Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Diggs will provide Maye with a reliable safety valve when he is facing pressure, while Boutte will act as the deep threat. Both of them will score touchdowns.
In the end, the better team will prevail and the Patriots will come out on top. They will go into Week 8 on a 5-game winning streak and the Drake Maye MVP agenda will be stronger than ever.
RON (@patsnation0815)
Score: Patriots – 38, Browns – 13
Heading into Week Eight, the New England Patriots return home to face the Cleveland Browns â and this is shaping up to be the biggest test yet for Drake Maye and the Patriotsâ offense.
Theyâll have to deal with Myles Garrett, who lines up all over the field. It wonât be up to just one player to keep him from wrecking the game or disrupting the game plan. However, Garrett isnât the only problem on the Brownsâ defensive line. Rookie Mason Graham has been outstanding against the run, consistently shedding blocks and showing the ability to pressure the quarterback as well.
This will be a major test not only for the Patriotsâ offensive line but also for their wide receivers, especially going up against Denzel Ward in coverage. Still, I believe the Patriotsâ offense will have a big day. The offensive line will step up and prevent both Myles and Mason from taking over the game. Expect strong performances from Stefon Diggs (6 receptions, 102 yards), Kayshon Boutte (8 receptions, 96 yards), and Hunter Henry (8 receptions, 64 yards). Drake Maye will finish 22-for-28 for 306 yards, 3 touchdowns, and add 5 carries for 59 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Patriots will get to Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel early and often, forcing him into mistakes that lead to turnovers. One key matchup to watch is the Patriotsâ run defense against Quinshon Judkins â the Brownsâ lone bright spot on offense. Judkins has averaged 4.3 yards per carry this season, but the Patriots have yet to allow any running back to surpass 50 rushing yards in a game, making this a battle worth keeping an eye on.
A lot of people think the Patriots will struggle this weekend because they âhavenât played anyone,â but with Drake Mayeâs ability to make any throw on the field, I believe heâs in for a huge day â and this game wonât be close.
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