Andy Reid All Business Ahead of Divisional Matchup With Browns
For the third-straight season, the Kansas City Chiefs started the NFL Playoffs with a week off. With their divisional-round matchup with the Cleveland Browns now in focus, head coach Andy Reid and Co. are ready to defend their Super Bowl title.
In his press conference with reporters on Monday, Reid said he's not looking past the Browns to the Super Bowl as Cleveland put up a strong showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
“You try not to look that far ahead," Reid said. "You’re trying to look and just make sure that you take care of business against the Browns. There was anticipation, obviously, to who we would play. It ended up being the last game of the evening, of the two days, so we had a little bit of a wait to find out. Then, once you get that, we’re going, so you don’t have much time to think about anything else other than that. So, I would tell you I don’t feel any different than I did last year at this time. I’m just trying to make sure that all our focus is on the Browns. Everybody had a chance to see how good they are, and it’ll take all of that. We’ve got to make sure we keep our eye right on that.”
The Browns defense flourished against the Steelers, forcing four turnovers. Cleveland showed how opportunistic they can be during the game as they started the game on a 28-0 run.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns in their Wild Card game while running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combined for 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
While Cleveland's offense was firing on all cylinders last week, Reid said their defensive unit shouldn't be underestimated and will be a lot to handle for his offense.
“Defensively, their front seven is tough," Reid said. "They fly around and make a lot of plays, and their back end does the same thing. I mean, they’re going to challenge you, so you’ve got to be ready to go. And they’ve gotten better, likewise, just as the offense has, throughout the season. So, [Kevin] Stefanski’s done a heck of a job there. What a great job he’s done putting this whole thing together and putting guys in the right position. It didn’t take him very long to figure out who could do what, which is a compliment to both him and his staff, and really on both sides of the ball.”
