Tom Brady is back. So is the explosive Patriots offense.
The Browns were no match Sunday, and future opponents are on notice.
The Patriots scored on the first three series of Brady’s season Sunday as he returned from a four-game Deflategate suspension. Brady threw three touchdown passes, all to tight end Martellus Bennett, and All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski also had his first big game of the season.
Sunday’s final was 33-13. It was pretty much decided in the first quarter when the Patriots went up 16-7 and Browns quarterback Cody Kessler was knocked out of the game with rib and chest injuries sustained on a hit by Dont’a Hightower. That play resulted in a sack and a safety.
Brady finished 28-of-40 for 406 yards and the three touchdowns. Chris Hogan caught four passes for 114 yards, Gronkowski caught five passes for 109 yards, and Bennett caught six for 67 yards.
Brady went over 400 passing yards in a game for the eighth time. It’s the second time he’s gone over 400 yards while throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Browns were down to Terrelle Pryor at quarterback by the end of the game. Backup Charlie Whitehurst limped off with a little under four minutes left.
The Patriots are 4-1 and host the Bengals next week. The Browns are 0-5 and are at the Titans next week.