Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson shine as Patriots rookies lead decisive win over Browns

FOXBOROUGH — For the first five minutes of the game, the Patriots looked vulnerable. For the rest of the game, they looked dominant.

After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, New England controlled both sides of the ball for the rest of the game en route to a 45-7 win Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Mac Jones completed 19 of 23 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

Baker Mayfield (11-for-21, 73 yards) struggled early and left with an injury for the Browns.

The Browns’ gamble paid off on their first drive of the game. After being stopped three straight times from the New England 2 yard line, they went for it on fourth down. Baker Mayfield hit Austin Hooper to put Cleveland up, 7-0, 4:55 into the game.

After that, the Patriots cruised for the rest of the half en route to a 24-7 intermission advantage. They scored all four times they had the ball.

Jones hit Hunter Henry for a 3-yard touchdown to cap an 83-yard TD drive, Kyle Dugger’s interception return to set up Stevenson’s 5-yard scoring run. Jones connected with Kendrick Bourne for a 23-yard touchdown reception and Nick Folk made a 38-yard field goal to stretch the lead in the second quarter.

Jones was 13-for-15 for 134 yards while Stevenson had 78 rushing yards on 14 carries before intermission. The Browns mustered just 91 yards of total offense in the first half.

Stevenson and Henry added to their touchdown totals in the second half as each scored again as New England stretched their edge to 38-7. Former Brown Brian Hoyer got into the act with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jakobi Myers late to make it 45-7.

NEXT WEEK — New England (6-4) has a quick turnaround this week. They’ll travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons, who are coming off a drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys.