BEREA — The Browns have to be able to run the ball to win. That was true of their last game against the Miami Dolphins, and it’ll be true in their next one Oct. 26 at the New England Patriots.
That’s not necessarily carved into stone, even though it probably should be by now. Considering the lack of explosive plays in the passing game, their best big-play offense is a handoff to running back Quinshon Judkins.
That’s not even hyperbole. Judkins’ four runs of 30-plus yards isn’t just tied for the most by any rookie running back since 2000, it’s the most by any running back in 2025.
There’s one major roadblock to that happening this time against the Patriots. It’s New England’s defense, which is playing at a record-setting clip.
“I think it’s multifaceted,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Oct. 24. “I think they have good players, they have a good scheme, they line up in different fronts from different personnel groupings. I think they’re really good in their line movement, their run stunts, they have guys that tackle well.
“When you don’t give up explosive runs, obviously you’re doing something right, and I think they’re doing a really nice job also of just tackling once that ball should get to the second level.”
The Browns have played against some quality defenses this season. That includes the only team, the Green Bay Packers, who have been better than the Patriots against the run.
New England has allowed just 77.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 2 in the league. The Packers have allowed 76.5 rushing yards a game to sit just ahead of the Patriots.
“Yeah, they look good,” Browns left guard Joel Bitonio said. “I think their inside guys [Tonga] Khyiris and [Christian] Barmore, both are playing really well and then everybody else kind of complements them really nicely. But they’re fundamentally sound. They play hard and they’ve done a great job. I think one explosive run all year, a lot of stuff. They rally to the ball, they get things out and they’ve been playing from ahead, so the teams have to pass the ball. So it’s been a good recipe for them.”
Of course, Judkins has been a good recipe for the Browns as well. That Packers run defense allowed the rookie to run for 94 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries (5.2 average) in just his second NFL game.
Judkins’ rushing yards and average are the most Green Bay has allowed this season. That’s why even Patriots coach Mike Vrabel isn’t allowing the statistics to conceal his expectation the Browns will come to New England looking to run the ball.
“That’s the thing about this league, is you don’t — stats and metrics, numbers don’t mean anything,” Vrabel said. “You have to go out there and be able to prove it. And I know that they’ll have a good plan for how they want to run it. It’s a physical group of linemen and their tight ends are blocking well. And Quinshon is rushing, running hard, physical. So, they’ve done a nice job.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
