Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs -- Playoff Game Live Thread
The Cleveland Browns (6) travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs (1) for the NFL playoffs AFC Divisional round. This matchup comes after the Browns pulled out a huge wildcard victory on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cleveland Browns managed to beat the Steelers while missing both players and coaches due to high risk contact tracing.
The Browns have the benefit of their head coach Kevin Stefanksi returning to the sideline after COVID-19 related issues last week. Stefanksi will resume his offensive play calling duties to establish an effective gameplay against the Chiefs defense. On the defense the secondary will be bolstered by the activation of cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the reserve/COVID list.
The winner of this matchup will face the Buffalo Bills (2) in the AFC Championship. Cleveland is the overwhelming underdog and pulling off back-to-back upsets may give the franchise enough momentum for a Super Bowl run!
Check this article throughout the game for live updates and commentary.
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The Cleveland Browns won the coin toss and will defer to the second half.
Patrick Mahomes will start the game with the ball.
First Quarter
1st & 10, Tyreek Hill motions into the backfield taking a reverse for a 4 yard run.
2nd & 6, Darrel Williams takes the inside carry rushing for a 12 yard first down.
1st & 10, Mahomes back to pass finds Travis Kelce over the middle for a 7 yard gain.
2nd & 3, Mahomes in the pocket finds Tyreek Hill on a cross route for a 26 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Darrel Williams gets an inside carry for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Browns defensive line penalized for neutral zone infraction.
1st & 10, Mahomes throws quick screen to Mecole Hardman and is tackled for a loss on the WR screen.
2nd & 12, Mahomes checks down to Darrel Williams in the flat for a 10 yard catch and run.
3rd & 2, Hill motions to the backfield on a jet sweep running to edge for a first down.
1st & Goal, Darrel Williams takes the inside carry tackled just short of the goalline.
2nd & Goal, Mahomes keeps the QB option to the edge and walks into the end zone.
The Chiefs extra point is no good, wide right by Harrison Butker.
Chiefs 6 - Browns 0
1st & 10, Nick Chubb gets his first carry of the game rushing for 5 yards.
2nd & 5, Mayfield throws a quick TE screen to TE David Njoku for a 27 catch and run.
2nd & 10, Mayfield steps up in the pocket rolling right throws to Hooper on the sideline incomplete.
3rd & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds Austin Hooper underneath on the far sideline for a 11 yard gain.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb gets the carry running with vision for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Chubb on back-to-back carries runs into a wall of defenders for no gain.
3rd & 4, Mayfield in an empty backfield keeps the ball on a designed QB run for a 5 yard gain.
1st & 10, Jarvis Landry takes the touch pass jet sweep and is met at the edge for a two yard loss.
2nd & 12, Mayfield back to pass is sacked on a blitz by DB Sneed for a nine yard loss.
3rd & 21, Mayfield throws quickly into the near flat for a 4 yard catch.
4th & 17, Cody Parkey on to attempt a 46-yard field goal and the kick is good.
Chiefs 6 - Browns 3
Injury Update: LT Jedrick Wills went to the locker room with an apparent leg injury on the first offensive play. Wills was replaced by OT Kendall Lamm.
1st & 10, Mahomes back to pass pressured quickly by Myles Garrett to force incompletion.
2nd & 10, Mecole Hardman takes the jet sweep from the backfield for a 40 yard run.
1st & 10, Le'Veon Bell takes his first carry and tackled after a short gain.
2nd & 8, Mahomes off a playaction checks down to Hardman in the near flat for a 10 yard gain.
1st & 10, Mahomes in an empty backfield finds Jeremy Pringle for a 10 yard catch.
Second Quarter
The Chiefs offense has found success attacking the flats. DC Joe Woods should continue to play over the top and not allow deep plays down field. It will be vital for the secondary to tackle effectively in open field.
1st & 10, Mahomes bobbles the snap shovels it to Tyreek Hill for a short two yard pickup.
2nd & 9, C Austin Reiter flagged for offensive holding.
2nd & 19, Mahomes back to pass throws over the middle to Travis Kelce for a 20 yard touchdown reception beating Denzel Ward in coverage.
Chiefs 13 - Browns 3
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry bouncing the run outside for a 4 yard gain.
2nd & 6, Mayfield off playaction rolling left settles down finding Jarvis Landry for a 6 yard first down.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the pitch to the near sideline is tackled for a loss by Tyrann Mathieu.
2nd & 13, Mayfield back to pass throw a great fade to Donovan Peoples-Jones down the sideline for a 23 yard first down.
1st & 10, Wyatt Teller flagged for holding.
1st & 20, Mayfield back to pass throws underneath to Nick Chubb and the pass is dropped.
2nd & 20, Mayfield throws a RB screen to Nick Chubb and the pass is dropped again.
3rd & 20, Mayfield back to pass and the throw is batted down at the line of scrimmage. Mayfield caught the ball and tackled for 8 yard loss.
4th & 28, Jamie Gillan on to punt kicks it 47 yards down to the 15 yard line.
The Browns offense has to minimize mistakes that set them behind the sticks. Playing all clean game on all three phases is important to staying in the game. Long sustained drive are must to keep the Chiefs offense off the field.
1st & 10, Darrel Williams takes the misdirection carry for a 4 yard rush.
2nd & 6, Mahomes throws a quick hitch to Tyreek Hill for a 7 yard reception.
1st & 10, Mahomes off playaction finds Travis Kecle crossing the field against the zone for a first down reception.
1st & 10, Mahomes back to pass throws quickly to Hardman for a 7 yard gain.
2nd & 3, Darrel Williams takes the zone carry outside for a 9 yard run.
1st & 10, Williams on back-to-back carries is hit hard after a 6 yard gain. Chiefs flagged on offense.
2nd & 18, Mahomes back to pass throws a quick pass to Tyreek Hill but flagged for illegal man downfield.
2nd & 23, Mahomes in shotgun throws to Hill in the soft spot of the zone for a 15 yard reception.
3rd & 8, Mahomes scrambles out of the pocket and scrambles for a first down. Comes up limping after the run.
2nd & 10, Mahomes back to pass throws the pass out of the end zone incomplete targeting Hill with Denzel Ward in coverage.
3rd & 10, Mahomes throws a Rb screen and the play is blown up by Adrian Clayborn for a 5 yard loss.
4th & 15, Harrison Bryant 50 yard field goal attempt is good.
Chiefs 16 - Browns 3
With three minutes remaining in the half it's imperative the Browns has a long sustained drive that results in points. Scoring a touchdown will make it a one score game in the second half. If the Chiefs get the ball back with time left on the clock preventing a quick touchdown will ruin any momentum built from the offensive drive. Get the run game back on track and control the clock.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass under pressure throw to David Njoku and Breshad Breeland flagged for holding.
1st & 10, Mayfield off playaction throws a RB screen to Nick Chubb and is tackled for no gain.
2nd & 10, Donovan Peoples-Jones flagged for offensive pass interference.
2nd & 20, Mayfield back to pass finds David Njoku over the middle for a 26 yard reception. Two Minute Warning.
1st & 10, Sorenson is flagged for defensive pass interference.
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass targeting David Njoku and the ball is knocked out incomplete.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds Rashard Higgins on a deep out for 26 yards.
1st & 10, Mayfield throws deep to Higgins wide open diving to the pylon the ball is knocked loose and the fumbled back into the endzone for a touchback.
Mayfield found success throwing the ball outside the numbers against man coverage. The fumble was a unfortunate turnover that took points off the board. The defense has to step up now and in the second half. Forcing turnovers in the second half and giving the offense more scoring opportunities.
1st & 10, Mahomes back to pass throws over the middle to Kelce for a 9 yard reception.
2nd & 1, Mahomes checks down to Darrel Williams for a first down catch and run.
2nd & 10, Mahomes throws quickly in the flat to Jeremy Springle for a 3 yard catch.
3rd & 7, Mahomes back to pass finds Tyreek Hill over the middle for a first down to midfield.
1st & 10, Mahomes drops back moving up in the pocket finding Travis Kelce for a first 16 yards.
1st & 10, Mahomes back to pass throws underneath to Tyreek Hill underneath for 24 yard gain.
1st & Goal, Harrison Butker 28 yard field goal attempt is good.
Chiefs 19 - Browns 3
Halftime
Third Quarter
2nd & 10, Mayfield throws a RB screen to Nick Chubb and the pass is incomplete.
3rd & 10, Mayfield back to pass rolls right and intercepted by Tyrann Mathieu.
1st & 10, Mecole Hardman takes the WR screen and gains 4 yards.
2nd & 6, Mahomes lobs a pass to Le'Veon Bell on a wheel route is incomplete.
3rd & 6, Mahomes back to pass steps up in the pocket pressured by Myles Garrett forcing an incompletion.
4th & 6, Harrison Butker 33 yard field goal is no good off the left upright.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry and runs inside for 20+ yards churning forward for extra yards.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb on back-to-back carries runs hard breaking tackles for another first down.
1st & 10, Kareem Hunts gets his first carry tackled after two yard run.
2nd & 8, Mayfield back to pass connects with Rashard Higgins with pressure in his face for a first down.
1st & 10, Kareem Hunt second carry cuts back inside and gains nine yards.
2nd & 1, Mayfield off playaction rolls right throws underneath to Jarvis Landry for no gain.
3rd & inches, Mayfield qb sneaks for a three yard gain.
1st & Goal, Mayfield off playaction finds Jarvis Landry on the near pylon for a 4 yard touchdown reception.
Chiefs 19 - Browns 10
The Browns best chance at winning this game is surrounded on running the ball with success and playing sound defense. A three and out on this series can give the Browns enough momentum to make this a one possession game. Thus far the defense has done a great job forcing the Chiefs into field goals.
2nd & 10, Mahomes back to pass finds Demarcus Robinson on the near sideline for a 15 yard gain.
1st & 10, Chiefs hurry to the line and Mahomes finds Kelce over the middle for a 8 yard gain.
2nd & 8, Darrel Williams takes the inside carry and is stacked by B.J. Goodson for one yard.
3rd & 1, Chiefs in power formation keeps the QB speed option and tackled hard by Mack Wilson on the run short of the first down marker.
Patrick Mahomes slow to get up and Chad Henne is the backup quarterback warming up.
4th & inches, Darrel Williams takes the outside pitch getting to the edge for a first down run.
1st & 10, Darrel Williams gets the carry outside and poor tackling by the Browns results in first down run.
1st & 10, Le'Veon Bell takes the the carry and runs for 4 yard gain.
2nd & 6, Chad Henne back to pass and the pass batted down at the line of scrimmage by DT Vincent Taylor.
3rd & 6, Henne back to pass throws underneath to Travis Kelce and is tackled short by Karl Joseph for 5 yard gain.
4th & 1, Harrison Butker 33 yard field goal is good.
Chiefs 22 - Browns 10
There is still plenty time on the clock and running the ball should still be the premise of the offensive gameplan. The Chiefs defense can't contain too many outside runs by Chubb and Hunt. Scoring a touchdown and taking advantage of Mahomes out of the game on defense is a must!
2nd & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry inside and gains 6 yards.
3rd & 4, Mayfield back to pass throws underneath to David Njoku for three yards just short of the first.
4th & 1, Nick Chubb takes the short handoff and gains 3 yards for a new set of downs.
2nd & 10, Mayfield off playaction throws underneath to Jarvis Landry for a 6 yard tough Catch and run.
3rd & 4, Mayfield back to pass finds Rashard Higgins cross the field for a first down reception.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the delayed handoff for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Chubb takes the pitch outside and is tackled quickly for a short one yard run.
Fourth Quarter
3rd & 3, Mayfield back to pass finds David Njoku in the flat for a 4 yard gain.
1st & 10, Kareem Hunt takes the carry and runs hard for a 10 yard gain.
1st & 10, Hunt on back-to-back carries runs for a quick 4 yards.
3rd & 6, Mayfield throws quickly underneath to Jarvis Landry who is tackled short of the first down.
4th & 2, Mayfield back to pass with pressure incoming connects with a diving Austin Hooper for 4 yard catch.
1st & Goal, Kareem Hunt takes the carry for a 3 yard gain.
3rd & Goal, Hunt gets the handoff and punches it in to end zone on a 3 yard run.
Injury Update: Patrick Mahomes is out for the game with a concussion.
Chiefs 22 - Browns 17
The Browns scored on a 18 play, 75 yard scoring drive. The long sustained drive took just over eight minutes and ended in a touchdown. Joe Woods needs to be aggressive on defense and dial up pressure on Chad Henne the rest of the game.
1st & 10, Chad Henne lobs a pass to Tyreek Hill down the sideline for first down. The play is challenged.
2nd & 14, Darrel Williams takes the inside carry and for a nine yard gain.
3rd & 5, Chad Henne back to pass finds Travis Kecle over the middle for a big gain down field.
1st & 10, Darrel Williams get the carry and runs inside for two yards. Chiefs flagged for illegal crack back block.
1st & 25, Chad Henne back to pass throws a bad pass into the endzone and is intercepted by Karl Joseph.
The Browns defense forced the turnover the offense needed and a scoring drive can take the lead.
1st & 10, Mayfield dumps the ball into the flat to Chubb for a 4 yard gain.
2nd & 6, Nick Chubb takes the carry running into a wall of defenders for no gain.
3rd & 6, Mayfield throws quickly to Higgins in the flat for a 5 yard gain tackled short of the sticks.
4th & inches, Mayfield takes the QB sneak for a new set of downs.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb gets the carry and is met quickly in the backfield for a one yard loss.
3rd & 11, Mayfield checks down to Kareem Hunt in the flat juggling the catch fora two yard gain.
4th & 9, Jamie Gillan on to punt kicks down to the Chiefs 30.
1st & 10, Darrel Williams takes delayed handoff for a short two yard run tackled by Sheldon Richardson.
2nd & 8, Chad Henne rolls right and finds Tyreek Hill on the sideline for a 4 yard gain.
3rd & 4, Henne dumps the ball into the flat to Williams out the backfield for a 5 yard gain.
1st & 10, Darrell Williams takes the inside carry and runs for 2 yards.
2nd & 8, Chad Henne back to pass and is sacked by Myles Garrett for a loss. Two minute warning.
3rd & 14, Henne back to pass scrambles and tackled just short of the first down after 13 yards.
4th & inches, Henne back to pass throws a flat to Tyreek Hill on the far sideline to convert first down.
1st & 10, Chiefs in victory formation and will run out the clock.
Chiefs 22 - Browns 17
