Pats get thumped by Cleveland 34-14

The Pats came out and from the opening kickoff looked flat and dead. This feeling did not change throughout the day in Cleveland as Peyton Hillis ran for 181 yards and 2 TDs and Colt McCoy made plays when he needed to as the Browns beat the Pats 34-14. Tom Brady was not sharp and often showed frustration with his receivers for running the wrong routes. Brady was mad early and often. He also faced a 10-0 deficit before he touched the ball as the Patriots fumbled an early kickoff giving Cleveland an early jump that they never gave up. The Patriots were confused on offense and just got outpowered on defense. Many of the younger players seemed like they though Cleveland would just roll over in front of the new highly touted Patriots team. This was not the case as the team was prepared at home coming off a bye week and a strong win over the Saints two weeks ago. Cleveland simply outplayed and outcoached New England in all three phases of the game. Also kicker Stephen Gostskowski left the game with a thigh injury and Wes Welker was forced to kick the second extra point for New England. This game gives all those Patriots fans a reality check who thought this team would have no more growing pains and just roll to the playoffs. The schedule gets no easier in coming weeks as the Patriots travel to Pittsburgh next week for the Sunday night game and host the Colts the week after. This team should have some intense practices this week as the coaching staff whips them into shape after an embarrassing loss.

Here are the winners/losers from this week
Winners:
1. Aaron Hernandez- one of the few receivers who didn't have any drops and added 2 TD catches to continue his strong rookie season.
2. Zoltan Mesko- Did good to get some punts off as Jake Ingram sucked once again as the long snapper and should be looking for work soon if he keeps this up.

Losers:
1. Jerod Mayo- Got beat in coverage numerous times by Peyton Hillis and simply is in charge of a defense that gave up 34 points to a bad Cleveland offense.
2. Rob Gronkoski- had numerous drops and fumbled another on the goal line right before the half. He had his worst game of the season when the team needed to step up. He was also responsible for the fumble of the opening kickoffs
3. Offensive line- gave up pressure on Brady all day and could not establish the run much at all.
4. Brandon Tate- had a few costly drops on balls between the numbers that killed some potential drives.


Bill Belichick's press conference here is what you would expect in a game like this.
Brady's press conference is here.