- This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
New England (1-0-1) at Cleveland (0-2-0)
- When: Aug 27 2026, 8:00 PM
- Where: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
- Last Meeting: NE 32-13, October 26th, 2025
New England vs Cleveland Preview & Prediction
Spread: New England -2.5
Moneyline: New England (-145)
Total: 34.5
The Starters Have Left the Chat
New England (1-0-1) visits Cleveland (0-2) Thursday night for the final preseason tune-up, and both coaching staffs have essentially placed the starters in bubble wrap.
Mike Vrabel and Todd Monken are resting the big names, including Drake Maye, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson has already been named Cleveland’s regular-season starter, so tonight belongs entirely to the depth-chart gladiators fighting for jobs.
Backup QB Bingo
Dillon Gabriel gets the start for Cleveland, with sixth-round rookie Taylen Green expected to see his first NFL game action. Translation: the Browns are handing the keys to the kids and hoping nobody drives through the garage door.
New England counters with Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton. That duo combined for 248 passing yards and two touchdowns against Philadelphia in Week 2, giving the Patriots a little more preseason quarterback stability.
Somebody Please Score After Halftime
Cleveland has been outscored 34-0 after halftime through two preseason games. Yes, zero. Apparently the Browns offense has been observing a strict second-half curfew.
Monken will use this game to evaluate depth in the secondary, at linebacker and along the defensive line. New England also has roster decisions coming, with its reserve offensive line and special teams under the microscope.
LVSB Betting Take
With virtually every important starter watching from the sideline, this becomes a battle of backup quarterbacks, roster desperation and coaches who would rather leave healthy than win a preseason trophy that does not exist.
New England’s quarterback depth has looked steadier, while Cleveland’s second-half struggles are difficult to ignore.
LVSB Pick: New England Patriots to Win
Total Lean: Under, if the number is inflated
Score Prediction: Patriots 20, Browns 13
- NFL Football Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
