The Cleveland Browns invade Gillette Stadium today for a showdown with the Patriots. Both teams are currently 5-4 so there are major ramifications for both teams in this one. The winner would have a much clearer path to the playoffs.

Today will be the Patriots 1,000th game as a franchise. It will also be the 26th meeting between the Patriots and the Browns. Cleveland leads the all-time series with a 13-12 mark, including one postseason game. The Bill Belichick led Browns defeated the Patriots 20-13 on New Year’s Day, 1995, in a Wild Card Playoff game in Cleveland.

Here’s what you need to know about the Browns.

Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski

Offensive Coordinator: Alex Van Pelt

Defensive Coordinator: Joe Woods

Special Teams: Mike Priefer

Offense

Stefanski calls the plays. He has a west coast offense background from his time in Minnesota working with Brad Childress.

The Browns want to run the football out of two back formations. Cleveland will utilize 21 and 22 personnel a lot today. They are among the league leaders when it comes to usage of these groupings.

Play action is a staple of the Browns passing attack. Stefanski will move the pocket a lot for Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is patient outside the pocket and accurate as well. He is good at throwing on the move to his weakside.

Cleveland’s ability to run the football allows them to take vertical shots down the field. The Browns will take four to five shots a game off play action.

The Browns love 12 and 13 personnel. The Patriots will see a lot of multiple tight end formations today. Cleveland likes to mix and match personnel to generate match ups, especially in the red zone.

Defense

Joe Woods is a 4-3 guy but his defenses have always been multiple.

The Browns like to cut their pass rushers loose one on one. They don’t twist a lot on the outside but they will on the inside.

Cleveland likes to play a lot of combination coverages. They will man with Denzel Ward a bunch. The Browns usually bring pressure from the man side.

Expect a lot of nickel, 30 front packages on obvious passing downs. Cleveland likes to bring interior and weakside pressure out of these fronts.

The Patriots tackles will have their hands full with Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney today. Both could see protections slide to them so look for the Browns to adjust by widening their alignments and blitzing inside of them.

Depth Chart: (Courtesy of ourlads.com