Patriots Suffer First Loss of the Season as Browns Dominate in Week 3

CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Browns handed the New England Patriots their first loss of the season in a high-scoring contest at FirstEnergy Stadium. Behind a career performance from quarterback Joe Milton III, the Browns overpowered the previously undefeated Patriots, securing a 49-21 victory.

Milton lit up the Patriots’ defense, completing 33 of 47 passes for 362 yards and five touchdowns. Tight end David Njoku led all receivers with 139 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Jerry Jeudy contributed 76 yards and two scores.

New England struggled on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Drake Maye had a rough outing, completing just 13 of 29 passes for 130 yards, throwing two touchdowns but also three costly interceptions. Despite flashes of brilliance, including touchdowns from Hunter Henry and Demario Douglas, the Patriots were unable to overcome their turnovers and the Browns’ relentless offense.

Game Recap

The game quickly tilted in Cleveland’s favor. Milton orchestrated three first-half touchdown drives, capitalizing on New England’s turnovers to build a commanding lead. While Maye connected with Henry and Douglas for second-half touchdowns, the Patriots couldn’t close the gap as Milton continued to carve through their secondary.

Cleveland’s defense also played a key role in the victory. Greg Newsome II stood out with two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. The Browns sacked Maye four times, with Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Myles Garrett each recording key sacks.

Key Stats

The Browns dominated in total yardage, racking up 384 yards to New England’s 164. Milton accounted for five of Cleveland’s seven touchdowns, showcasing accuracy and poise. Njoku’s 139-yard performance highlighted Cleveland’s depth in the passing game, while Jeudy’s two touchdowns underlined the Browns’ efficiency in the red zone.

On the defensive side, Cleveland’s four sacks and three interceptions proved decisive. Newsome’s pick-six was a dagger that crushed New England’s hopes of mounting a comeback.

For the Patriots, Maye’s struggles overshadowed promising performances from Henry and Douglas. Running back Tyler Allgeier led the ground game with 32 yards but was largely bottled up by Cleveland’s front seven.

Injuries

No injuries were reported for either team following the game.

Up Next

The Patriots (2-1) will stay on the road next week to face their division rival, the Miami Dolphins, while the Browns (2-1) travel to Wisconsin to take on the Green Bay Packers.