The humbling loss to New England prevents the Browns from deluding themselves into thinking that this team could make a run this year
In the NFL, it is common for teams, just like fans, to be overly reactionary to one game's result. When the Browns crushed the hapless Miami Dolphins in Week 7, optimistic fans perhaps believed the team was turning a corner and that a surprise playoff berth might be on the horizon.
This line of thinking is not unique to fans. Owners, coaches, and front office personnel certainly think the same way. In a league that has only 17 games per season, it's easy to see how one result could instill false hope, especially for the folks in charge of building the team and the coaches who pour endless hours of work into the players on the roster.
Why Browns Week 8 loss to Patriots could be blessing in disguise
The reality of the 2025 Cleveland Browns is that they are an extremely flawed roster with catastrophic holes at some of the game's most important positions. Namely, the quarterback spot has been a black hole ever since the ill-fated decision to trade away Baker Mayfield in 2022.
When the offense sputtered - an all-too-familiar sight in 2025 - against the New England Patriots, the sobering reality that this team is very far away from contention could not be any clearer. For the third straight week, the Browns failed to eclipse 300 yards. The offense is not only not good enough, but it is an active liability and a major stain against Kevin Stefanski's credentials as an offensive guru.
While it is difficult to enjoy a hearty beating, Browns fans should take solace in this one fact: the Patriots' loss came at the perfect time. Andrew Berry and the brain trust in Cleveland now know and understand that the focus should be on the future, and not on supplementing this roster with further investments. As the trade deadline approaches on November 4, all options should be on the table in terms of moving veterans for draft picks that can aid in the future of the Cleveland Browns.
Make no mistake about it - no one is advocating moving on from the team's true star players. Myles Garrett, by all accounts, continues to be untouchable as he should be. (Although three first-round picks
For just about everyone else on the roster, though, the Browns should have open phone lines and be willing to jump on any enticing offers. The emotional attachment to veteran players should not impede the team from making moves that will make for a brighter future.
From older players with no years left on their contracts after this season (Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, David Njoku, Ethan Pocic, Jack Conklin) to movable, non-foundational veterans (Jerry Jeudy, Maliek Collins, Rayshawn Jenkins, Damontae Kazee), the Browns should be open for business for what could be a major roster shakeup come deadline day.
While it may hurt in the interim, it is of paramount importance that the Browns are able to build a sustainable winner in the future. Additional draft picks just mean more swings at the plate - which translates to more chances at a home run.
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
