Kansas City @ Cleveland preview
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2015 ) Cleveland 13, Kansas City 17
After a tumultuous week off the field, the Cleveland Browns face a major challenge between the lines Sunday, when they host the Kansas City Chiefs and their dynamic offense. It’s a matchup of two of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks, as Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield go head-to-head in a throwback to their days as Big 12 Conference rivals.
Mayfield has been a bright spot for a Browns team that seemed to be making strides but was loaded with dysfunction that came to a head this week. Coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley were fired Monday, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was elevated to interim head coach. The Browns’ defense faces a stiff test against Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that leads the NFL in scoring and ranks third in total offense. “They have done a good job of surrounding (Mahomes) with people that take a short play and turn it into a long play, or take a space play and turn it into a miss for the defense,” Williams told reporters. “Andy (Reid) has always done a very good job with formation things to create those open areas for an athlete to make you miss. We have to do a good job in space defensively on the plays that they will create.”
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chiefs -8. O/U: 51
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (7-1): The Chiefs are loaded with a group of offensive talent that includes versatile running back Kareem Hunt, speedster Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce, who have combined for 22 touchdowns. They’re coming off their lowest offensive output of the season with 340 total yards last week, but it was enough to hold on for a 30-23 win over Denver that kept Kansas City in command in the AFC West. The defense ranks 31st and struggled against the pass early in the season but has improved in the last two weeks and has recorded 10 takeaways in the last five games.
ABOUT THE BROWNS (2-5-1): After playing well to start the season, Cleveland’s defense has surrendered more than 400 total yards in five straight games while the rushing defense has been especially bad in recent weeks. The unit’s only saving grace has been a league-best 22 turnovers, including 12 interceptions. The offense has shown promise with Mayfield and fellow rookie Nick Chubb providing a glimpse of what may come, but the Browns sputtered to a season-low 237 total yards in last week’s 33-18 loss at Pittsburgh.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Mahomes is only the fourth quarterback in NFL history with four or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
2. The Browns have forced at least one turnover in all eight games and have at least two takeaways in seven contests.
3. Hunt has scored a touchdown in seven consecutive games.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 31, Browns 23