New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns - 3rd Quarter Game Thread

The Patriots went three-for-three on touchdowns to open the game, with QB Tom Brady again hitting TE Martellus Bennett for a touchdown, this time from five yards out to make it a 23-7 game. For Cleveland, QB Charlie Whitehurst entered the game as the team’s fourth quarterback of the season (well, five if you count WR Terrelle Pryor). It went as well as you might expect.

The onslaught continued on Cleveland’s next drive. Brady hit WR Chris Hogan on a bomb for 63 yards. Facing 3rd-and-goal and then 4th-and-goal from the 1 yard line, though, the defense stuffed RB LeGarrette Blount twice, forcing a non-touchdown for the first time all game. Cleveland had to punt right back, but their defense forced their first three-and-out of the game. Cleveland’s offense can’t do anything with Whitehurst under center, though.

Brady led a two-minute drill to get New England in range for a 50-yard field goal attempt, which K Stephen Gostkowski missed. The Patriots have a 23-7 lead heading into the half. New England will get the ball to begin the third quarter.

Game: New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
Date/Time: Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM ET
Television: CBS - Greg Gumbel & Trent Green
Local Radio: ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 FM WNCX