It's all he could do.

On this day, the Browns were better -- a lot better.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy scrambled for a touchdown and didn't make any mistakes, Peyton Hillis ran for a career-high 184 yards and two TDs and the vastly improved Browns, using a little trickery and a ton of offensive imagination, pounded the Patriots 34-14 on Sunday.

Two weeks after stunning New Orleans, the Browns (3-5) pulled off another shocker. Well rested after their bye week, they ended New England's five-game winning streak and did it decisively, outplaying one of the NFL's top teams for 60 minutes.

This was no fluke. The Patriots (6-2) were battered, baffled and beaten badly.

"We know we can beat anybody," Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs said. "If you beat these supposedly best two teams in the league, it gives us confidence there isn't one team in this league that we don't think we can beat."

It was particularly satisfying for Mangini, whose relationship with Belichick was damaged years ago when he left New England's staff to coach the Jets and by the infamous "Spygate" episode. The two men ignored each other during pregame warmups, but had to meet afterward.

Mangini was asked what his mentor said.

" 'Good game.' We were making plans for the summer," he joked.

Mangini had good reason to smile. He and his staff, many of whom worked in New England under Belichick, outschemed the Patriots in every facet. The Browns had an overwhelming advantage on offense, defense and special teams. Cleveland sprang a pop-up kickoff to set up its first touchdown and the Browns scored their second TD on a gadget play they knew would work.

But it wasn't all smoke and mirrors. The Browns bullied the Patriots, using Hillis to run the ball down their throats and flustering quarterback Tom Brady with a variety of fronts and coverages.

"This sends a message that what happened last game against New Orleans was not a fluke," said Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas, who opened holes as the Browns rushed for a season-high 230 yards. "We're a good team. We're starting to find our identity."

Hillis, healthy at last after being slowed by a thigh injury, scored on a 2-yard run in the first, and then put the Patriots away with a 35-yard burst late to make it 34-14. He carried 29 times, picking up all 60 yards on Cleveland's game-sealing drive.

Brady and the Patriots have had better days.

New England's star went 19 of 36 for 224 yards and two TDs to rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez. However, Brady lost for the first time in five career starts against the Browns, who jumped to an early 10-0 lead and led by 17 entering the fourth.

Brady was hindered by several drops and a crucial fumble by tight end Rob Gronkowski just before halftime, when the Patriots, who came in averaging a league-leading 29 points per game, blew a chance to cut into Cleveland's 10-point lead.