How many takeaways?! Chiefs’ defense turns in excellent effort against Cleveland Browns
The Chiefs entered Sunday afternoon’s Week 15 game in Cleveland ranked among the bottom half of the NFL in turnover differential.
But they came up huge in a 21-7 victory over the Browns. It was fueled by six takeaways — four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. That the most takeaways for the Chiefs in a game since 2016.
The Chiefs improved to 13-1 and moved closer to clinching the AFC playoffs top seed.
Here’s our report card from this week’s game and a look ahead to the next one:
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie is on the board with his career first interception. His end zone pick of Jameis Winston stopped a Browns drive and helped change the game’s momentum.
This was McDuffie’s 41st NFL game, and his first interception was well-timed. He also did a nice job of keeping his feet inbounds after making the grab.
Next: The Chiefs play this coming Saturday at home against the Houston Texans. The game kicks off at noon at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. It will be broadcast by NBC, Channel 41 in Kansas City.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: C
For the first time this season Patrick Mahomes didn’t finish a game. He left in the fourth quarter after suffering an ankle injury. Carson Wentz saw his first action.
For the most part, guard-turned-left tackle Joe Thuney got the job done. Mahomes had been sacked 13 times in the past three games, and the Chiefs were facing reigning defensive player of the year Myles Garrett. KC coach Andy Reid decided to move Thuney outside, and that changed the pass-protection equation.
Thuney led the way in slowing the Cleveland pass rush, but the Browns picked up their intensity in the second half. Mahomes wasn’t sacked — just the second time this season he wasn’t sacked in a game — but he felt the pressure and barely avoided a sack on his final play.
The deep ball was a problem. It’s been a season-long issue for Mahomes and the Chiefs. Against the Browns, Mahomes looked deep four times and came up empty.
At one point in the third quarter, he threw eight straight incomplete passes.
Did Mahomes get hosed on a potential third touchdown pass? A swing to Xavier Worthy, who ended up in the end zone from from 21, was ruled a rush in what appeared to be coin-flip decision.
Rushing offense: B
Moving Thuney to tackle and giving guard Mike Caliendo a start at guard may have impacted the run-blocking schemes. KC’s 134-yard rushing total was helped by Worthy’s touchdown run. Kareem Hunt had some nice moments in his return to his hometown and finished with 45 rushing yards.
Passing defense: A
Safety Bryan Cook came up with the Chiefs’ first interception since Week 11 at Buffalo, making a leaping end zone pick of Jameis Winston to halt a drive. By day’s end, McDuffie, Nick Bolton and Jalen Hicks also snared interceptions.
George Karlafits came up with a pair of sacks, both in the first half, for the second two-sack game of his career. For one of precious few times this season, the Chiefs got pressure without blitzing. Charles Omenihu and Tershawn Wharton also racked up sacks.
About the only thing the Browns had going for them on a consistent basis was the Winston-to-Jerry Jeudy connection. Jeudy finished with 11 receptions and 108 yards The last catch came on a throw by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who replaced Winston at QB.
Rushing defense: C
Things were going well for the Chiefs ... until late in the third quarter. Running back Jerome Ford broke right and went 62 untouched yards to the end zone. Until then, the Chiefs had surrendered just 39 yards on 15 attempts.
An excellent game from Bolton, who opened the second half with an interception and was credited with a half-sack. He also helped in the run-stopping department.
Special teams: B
Special teams delivered the game’s first big play. Chris Rowland-Wallace knocked the ball from Browns punt returner James Proche and KC’s Samaje Perine fought for the recovery. That set up a 21-yard Chiefs touchdown drive.
Harrison Butker returned after missing four games following minor knee surgery, but safety Justin Reid continued to handle the kickoff duties.
What a gaffe on Butker’s 29-yard field goal attempt just before halftime. First there was indecision on whether the Chiefs should go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 10. That seemed to confuse holder Matt Araiza, who had to run out onto the field to man his position. Then Butker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, botched the layup and missed.
Araiza punted a whopping nine times in the game.
This story was originally published December 15, 2024 at 3:25 PM.