Eric Mangini versus Bill Belichick rivalry resumes
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick returns to Cleveland where he was head coach for five seasons from 1991 to 1995, as the Browns get set to host the Patriots on Sunday 7 November.
Previous meetings and recent games
Since Belichick took over the head coaching job at New England, his new team has lost against his former team only once, back on November 12, 2000 during Belichick's first season in charge. Since then, the Patriots have won the last four meetings between
these two teams, outscoring the Browns 112-51.
The Patriots are coming into the game as the NFL's best team at 6-1, and recently beat the Minnesota Vikings 28-18.
The Browns come into the game with a record of 2-5, and sit tied for last in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals. However, what their record does not reveal is precisely who their five losses have been against. Every single one of Cleveland's losses
have been against teams that are currently 5-2 and are either first, or tied for first, in their division.
Their most recent victory even came against the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints, who are 5-3. The Browns have only played one game against an opponent that is under .500 – their 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. To say that the
Browns have had a tough schedule is an understatement.
How they match up
Statistically speaking, the Browns are outmatched just about everywhere on the field. Colt McCoy was in at quarterback for the Browns in their last game and only threw for 74 yards, but that didn't stop him from winning the game. McCoy is expected to get
the start once again as Seneca Wallace and Jake DelHomme are still out with injuries.
Running plays for the Patriots is Tom Brady, one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, nine years McCoy's senior and 32091 career passing yards ahead. With Brady at quarterback the Patriots didn't even think twice about trading away their highest profile receiver,
Randy Moss, as the team is undefeated with Moss not in the line-up.
Since trading away Moss, the Patriots have brought in Deion Branch from the Seattle Seahawks. Branch had a break-out performance in his first game back with New England, catching nine passes against the Baltimore Ravens back on week 6, but Branch was held
to only a single catch last Sunday.
Wes Welker has been the Patriots' most reliable receiver with 40 catches this season.
The Browns possess the better defence between these two teams and it was defence that was instrumental in the Browns defeat of the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago. Cleveland intercepted Drew Brees four times including running two interceptions back for
touchdowns.
What to expect
Browns head coach Eric Mangini served under Belichick for nine seasons starting out as a ball boy way back when Belichick was the head coach in Cleveland. This is the one match-up every year that Belichick's pupil looks forward to, as the rivalry between
the two has become tense ever since Mangini exposed Belichick and the Patriots during the 2007 spygate episode while Mangini was in charge of the Jets. Expect the environment in Cleveland to be hostile.
Everybody loves a dark horse. Browns upset the Pats 16-14.
Tags: