The only thing that even had the outside chance of being described as rusty Sunday afternoon in Cleveland for Tom Brady's return to the NFL was the color of the Browns helmets.
Because No. 12 certainly showed anything but rust returning from his four-game Deflategate suspension as he marched right down the field for an eight-play, 80-yard drive to the 7-0 lead. By halftime he extended the advantage to 23-7 while notching passer rating of 133.9.
Brady looked far more rested and ready than rusty on the way to the 33-13 victory that had a large contingent of Patriots fans chanting their quarterback's name at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Oh, anyone wondering if he could build a quick rapport and timing with newcomers to the offense like Martellus Bennett and Chris Hogan got their answer as Brady hit the tight end for three touchdowns and the versatile receiver for 100-plus yards, including a 63-yard big play.
And while Brady and the offense were clicking, New England's defense was shutting down Isaiah Crowell and the Browns No. 1-ranked rushing attack. Cleveland was held to just 27 yards on 22 attempts for a 1.2 avg., or put differently 4.5 yards per rush below their season average coming into the game.
Cleveland was pretty much overmatched on both sides of the ball, especially after rookie starter Cody Kessler was knocked from the game, and New England bounced back from the shutout loss a week earlier to the Bills.
The New England Patriots take on the Cleveland Browns in a regular season game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, October 9, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives before an NFL football game against the Cleveland BrownsSunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick arrives before an before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives at First Energy Stadium for an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady jogs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots fans watch warmups before an NFL football game between the Patriots and Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo walks the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs onto the field in front of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) for warmups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells as he makes his way onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Cleveland. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels talks to Tom Brady (12) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
A New England Patriots fan holds a sign before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft watches his players warm up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs after a catch against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs for s touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler is chased by New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) avoids Cleveland Browns free safety Jordan Poyer (33) on a pass reception in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett, center, hugs quarterback Tom Brady after they connected on a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Stephen Paea (99) tackles New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler (6) is pressured by New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls signals at the line in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates a touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) watches from the sidelines in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the huddle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan is tackled by Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden after a long pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) catches a pass against New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Fans hold cutouts of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the first half of an NFL football game between the Patriots and Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett runs past Cleveland Browns free safety Jordan Poyer (33) on a touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady signals he's short of a first down in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick leaves the field after the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung, center, is tackled after an interception against the Cleveland Browns in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan is tackled by Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden after a long pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) dives over Cleveland Browns free safety Jordan Poyer (33) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower hits Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. Kessler's pass went out of the end zone for a safety. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung celebrates after an interception against the Cleveland Browns in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) celebrates an interception against the Cleveland Browns with Devin McCourty, left, and Jonathan Jones (31) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) fights off blocks from Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) and guard John Greco in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs for a first down against the Cleveland Browns in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after running for a first down against the Cleveland Browns[ in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a catch against Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, talks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs against the Cleveland Browns in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) leads his team to the field prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Cleveland. New England won 33-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after leading his team to a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Cleveland. New England won 33-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) on the sidelines in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, hugs Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after a 33-13 win over the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hugs Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
The offense churned out 501 yards of offense, while defense held the Browns to just 262.
Brady's back and so was domination.
"The team played really well. It was fun to be a part of it," Brady said. "4-1 is a pretty good place to be right now."
"Good complementary football in all three areas, Bill Belichick said. "Offensively we got some points early and it was good to play from ahead. Good to win on the road. Always tough."
Brady did his best to deflect big-picture questions or those about his return from suspension and his thoughts on the perceived injustice.
"I was just trying focus on what my job is and what I have to do. Felt like a normal week when I got down to it," Brady said, focusing on the team's overall task at hand as he so often does. "4-1 is a good place to be. We have a long road ahead. So we have to keep on working."
Before Brady and the Patriots get back to work for a return home to take on Bengals next Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, here are the highs and lows from the ultra-impressive day in Ohio.
Buy
Tom Brady – TB12 reintroduced himself to the NFL world in about as impressive a fashion as anyone could have possibly expected. Belichick tried to squash the big "Tom Brady returns" stories all week but that went out the window when Brady went out and blew out the Browns with his eighth career 400-yard passing performance. By the time Brady gave way to now-healthy backup Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter the living legend had completed 28 of 40 passes (70 percent) for 406 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 127.7 rating. Brady even had a first down run down the Browns sideline that he celebrated with a strange combination of Cam Newton's Dab and Usain Bolt's post-race celebration pointing to the sky. "I was excited," he said. Brady clearly had fun in his return, at the cost of the poor Browns defense.
Tight ends –Theoretical production came to on-field fruition against the Browns as Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett caught and ran their way to victory, combining for 11 catches for 176 yards with three scores. Gronkowski got the day rolling with two catches for 53 yards on the opening touchdown drive, on the way to a five-catch, 109-yard breakout performance that should answer concerns about his health. Bennett had six catches for a relatively modest 67 yards, though three went for touchdowns. New England's two-headed monster clearly enjoyed having Brady back and enjoyed beating up on the overmatched Browns defense.
Run defense –The focal point on defense was stopping the Browns rushing attack that entered the game leading the NFL. And the New England front – which included three defensive tackles at times in Malcom Brown, Alan Branch and practice-squad call-up Woodrow Hamilton – was on point all afternoon. Isaiah Crowell, who came in ranked second in the NFL in rushing while averaging a crazy 6.4-yards per carry, ran seven times for just 9 yards in the first half and finished with just 22 yards on 13 attempts for a 1.7-yard average. As a team the Browns had just 27 yards on 22 attempts. Those numbers speak for themselves.
Sell
Cyrus Jones –* *The rookie returner struggled early in coverage, allowing an 11-yard Andrew Hawkins touchdown in slot coverage that was way too easy for the Browns. A week after struggling in his decisions on kickoff returns, the top pick was pulled from the role. Last and far from least, Jones was ejected for throwing a punch at Hawkins after the Browns receiver tried to block him. The young player has a lot to improve upon after his first month-plus of NFL action, in many ways.
Stephen Gostkowski –New England's All-Pro kicker missed a field goal attempt for the second straight week, this one coming from 50 yards out. He bounced back to hit a 31-yard attempt later in the game but the fact that he already missed three kicks this season – he missed just three kicks all of last season, the earlier coming on Nov. 23 – is not a great sign after an inconsistent preseason. Gostkowski's resume is just about as impressive as any, but early this season he's been uncharacteristically shaky and needs to find a way to get back on track.
David Andrews – The second-year center has been a solid force in the middle of the New England line to open the year, but had his issues against the Browns. He had a couple poor shotgun snaps. He also had a holding call on a day when the line as a whole was never able to open much up on the ground. New England averaged just 2.8 yards per carry on the ground. LeGarrette Blount had just 37 yards on 18 carries. The ground game wasn't good. The pass protection was only OK. On a day when many things went right for the Patriots, Andrews could have been better up front.
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