Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots: Players The Browns MUST Game Plan For

The Cleveland Browns play host to the New England Patriots when they visit the Lake Erie coast in Week 9 of the 2010 NFL regular season.

The Browns are 2-5 and in third place (that right third place!) in the AFC North, while the Patriots have the NFL's best record and sit atop the AFC East at 6-1.

With all the hype surrounding Randy Moss and who could claim him off of waivers, it was quite obvious the Browns did not want to deal with the ego (a la Braylon Edwards) in their locker room, but there are bigger thing to focus on right now.

If the Browns are to pull off another shocker just like they did when they defeated the reigning Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints, then they will have to keep their eye on these players.

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Tom Brady, QB

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots gives a thumbs up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

What is there to say about Tom Brady that you do not already know.

The guy can win and throw the ball accurately period.

He has a 96.6 quarterback rating so far this season with 12 touchdown tosses and only four interceptions.

The Browns have to get pressure on him in order to have a chance on defense.

Wes Welker, WR

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots warms up before his game against the New York Jets on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

It is really crazy to think that back in January of this year, Wes Welker blew out his knee and it was doubtful that he would play until Week 6 of this season.

Somehow he healed quickly and has played in every game this season.

A straight possession receiver, Welker has 40 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns this season.

His numbers might be down, but that could be due to either hm still recovering a bit from injury or the fact Randy Moss is not on the other side of the offense dictating defensive coverage.

Regardless, Welker is still dangerous and he needs to be shut down.

Hopefully, the Browns will put either Sheldon Brown or Joe Haden on Welker since Eric Wright has been struggling this year.

Brandon Merriweather, S

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots looks on in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills during on September 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 38-30. (

Patriots safety Brandon Merriweather, just like the Browns' own T.J. Ward, can hit and hit hard.

He was fined $50,000 for his hit that knocked Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap out.

Whether Seneca Wallace or Colt McCoy starts at quarterback, they need to make sure that receivers are not left out in the open to take a shot from Merriweather because he will hit and make players who are running crossing routes pay for going in the middle.

Aaron Hernandez, TE

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Image

The rookie fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft has stepped up his game and has become a big part of the Patriots' offense since Moss was traded early in the season.

He may not have a touchdown catch this season yet, but do not loose track of Hernandez because he has the speed to burn linebackers and many safeties in the NFL.

Look for Ward to be locked onto Hernandez for most of the game on Sunday.

The X-Factor: Danny Woodhead, RB/WR

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots reacts to the cheers of fans after he into the endzone for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim

New York Jets Head Coach must really be kicking himself seeing as how he really liked Danny Woodhead, but had to cut him.

That's where the Pats swooped in and claimed Woodhead and the rest has been history.

Woodhead has taken over the role that running back Kevin Faulk had prior to landing in the Injured Reserve for the rest of this season.

Now Woodhead is a featured part of the Pats' offense and with his diminutive size at 5'8"-ish, he is hard to keep track off by defensive units this season thus far.

Woodhead is the running back version of Welker and Brady loves the versatile player who can run the ball or catch and run too.

Look for Woodhead to be a focal point in the Pats' offense and he should also haunt the dreams of Ryan for many years to come too.

Final Thoughts

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots during warm up against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

These are only a few of the key players the Browns need to game plan for, but the real story is that the former student will be facing his former mentor.

Browns coach Eric Mangini and Pats coach Bill Belichick have both good and bad history together and this is the ultimate chess match.

Who will win?

The Browns will need to reach deep into their bag of tricks in order to try and come out on top of this game, but how about this?

Perhaps McCoy starts, and Wallace is healthy enough to back him up and Browns fans finally see the mythical Cyclone package that was highly talked about in training camp.

Just a thought, but a thought that could really throw the Pats off their game planning on defense.