The Browns vs Chiefs Divisional Playoff Preview

               

       The Browns vs Chiefs Divisional Playoff Preview 

     The Browns will be the Browns but the Browns will continue to play into the divisional game against the number one seed defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs at 3:05 Sunday. Many people including the Steelers didn’t ever expect the Browns to be in the position to play the Chiefs. Especially after covid struck their locker room, zoom meetings were how they practiced, and missing their head coach, and key pieces for Sunday night’s Wildcard game against the Steelers last week. As we know the Browns came out on defense and the offense followed. The Browns created four turnovers, Baker Mayfield made the throws he had too, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ran hard, and even with all those offensive line injuries they all got it done. The Browns sent division rival home with the final of 49-37. The playoff win over the Steelers with all those handicaps has to be one of the biggest wins in franchise history. Maybe the biggest ever. Now they go against what many believe is the scariest team in the NFL. The defending Super Bowl champs, coming into this one with a record of 14-2, and the best quarterback in the league skill wise with Patrick Mahomes. It’s not just Mahomes on that offense you should be scared of though if you’re a defense. First their is tight end Travis Kelce who was second in receiving yards with 1,416 yards which broke George Kittle record for a tight end last season. Then their is the speedster Tyreek Hill. Hill was eighth in the NFL in yards but was second in touchdown passes. They also have other players you have to watch Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, that offensive line, and play caller Andy Reid. The Chiefs have very good offensive line behind Eric Fisher and others. Their offensive line is ranked fourth in sack percentage in 2020. With all those weapons, tricks plays, and Mahomes gets time you can see why they can score so fast. The running game is the only weak part of the Chiefs game. They are 24th in rush attempts their first round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire has had very disappointing rookie season. Le’Veon Bell has been some help but not much. The Chiefs play to the Browns weakness on defense. The Browns are bad at defending the pass but can completely take away the run. It’ll also be hard to pressure Mahomes. That makes holding the ball and converting on third down so important for the Browns. The Browns will be getting Denzel Ward and Olivier Vernon back on defense this week. Which will be huge for their pressure and coverage. Even though it might not matter. The Browns have to force the running game to get going. They need to hold the ball and keep Mahomes off the field if that wasn’t obvious. Nonetheless they have the style of play to do so with Nick Chubb and former Chief Kareem Hunt. The Browns were fifth in the league in rush attempts while being the third best rushing offense in the league. They’ll also have their main play caller and head coach back Kevin Stefanski on the sideline. Time of possession and third conversion will be important for the offense. Bakery Mayfield will need to be flawless in this one but especially on third down. The Browns were 6-12 on third down against the Steelers. 50% won cut it against the Chiefs. They need to convert on third and sometimes on fourth if they are deep enough in Chiefs territory. It’s all the marbles type of game, if you can’t get two yards on the opponent’s 35 did you really deserve to win anyways? So I say go for it when you can. The Browns will have too and expect the Chiefs defense to create pressure on Mayfield. The Chiefs don’t have a stellar defense ranked 15th in the league but they do have stars. Such as the honey badger Tyrann Mathieu and Frank Clark. Clark will give the Browns problems with his pressure on Mayfield. However in my opinion the Browns have exactly what the Chiefs have on defense and an offensive line that can stop Clark or at least contain him. Myles Garrett will do the same for the Browns against the Chiefs. The problem for the Browns is that Mahomes is maybe the best player maker after a play breaks down. The Chiefs starters before this matchup really haven’t played in 20 days. They have no rhythm especially since they didn’t look good the last 6-7 contests. Their last blowout was over the Jets on November 1st. Since they’ve been in some very close games with teams like the Falcons, Dolphins, Panthers, Raiders, Buccaneers, Broncos, and Saints. The Browns have a lot of momentum especially after that win over the Steelers with everything against them. Momentum matters in the NFL. Mahomes and the offense really hasn’t looked great all season they just have so much talent it makes up for it. After 20 days off it will only get harder to get in rhythm. The Browns are in the best rhythm they could be for such a challenge. In my opinion the Browns will challenge the Chiefs. They will push them to the brink. However they will come up short. It’s just to much to overcome with the Chiefs. The Chiefs struggle early but put it together for a 27-24 win. 

By Matthew Doherty