The (12-1) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are opening the ultimate quarter of the 2024 season on the highway towards the (3-10) Cleveland Browns at Huntington Financial institution Stadium. Already AFC West champions, the Chiefs are searching for the primary of at the least two victories they might want to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 postseason seed. Standing of their manner is a Cleveland crew that has been enhancing underneath new beginning quarterback Jameis Winston. During the last six video games, the Browns have collected AFC North victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens — and they might like to knock off Kansas Metropolis.
First quarter
The Browns received the opening coin toss, deferring the choice to the second half. That gave preliminary possession to Kansas Metropolis, beginning with the ball on the 30-yard line after a touchback.
The Chiefs’ offense went three and out instantly, punting to the Browns shortly. Nonetheless, cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace compelled a fumble masking the kick. The Chiefs recovered, organising on the Browns’ 21-yard line.
A robust run by operating again Isiah Pacheco was adopted by tight finish Travis Kelce vast open operating into the flat. That arrange first and aim, then vast receiver Juju Smith-Schuster took a fast go to the pylon to punctuate the drive. The Chiefs led 7-0 lower than three minutes into the competition.
The Browns moved the chains initially, then the Chiefs’ entrance got here by means of with a sack on second down. Nonetheless, the play was negated by a flag on cornerback Joshua Williams. The Chiefs settled in once more, this time getting the sack on third down. Defensive finish George Karlaftis pursued Browns’ quarterback Jameis Winston out of the pocket, forcing a punt.
The Chiefs’ subsequent possession began with two productive runs by operating again Kareem Hunt, gaining 19 yards over the 2 performs. The third run was stuffed, resulting in a manageable third down. On that drop again, Mahomes had time, however resorted to a lined shot downfield. The incompletion led to a punt.
The Browns discovered rhythm on offense, utilizing completions to vast receiver Jerry Jeudy to maneuver the chains 3 times and advance into Chiefs’ territory. From the 36-yard line, Winston seemed for a giant play excessive, however security Bryan Cook dinner was there to intercept the deep go in the long run zone. It was the Chiefs’ second takeaway of the primary quarter.
The Chiefs’ offense continued tripping over itself regardless of the massive play from the protection. A primary-down go to Kelce was too excessive and fell incomplete. That was adopted by two runs stopped wanting the sticks, resulting in the Chiefs’ third punt of the sport.
The Browns took over possession as the primary quarter ended.
Second quarter
The Chiefs’ defensive entrance continued making its impression felt on the sport. The unit stuffed a second down run, then Karlaftis chased down his second sack of the sport on third down. That compelled the Browns to punt again to Kansas Metropolis.
The 2 groups traded quick possessions, with each defenses enjoying nicely towards the run and organising passing conditions. The Chiefs lastly established an extended drive on the sixth possession, utilizing a robust run recreation and fast passes to keep away from third down till advancing into Browns’ territory. On the third and 9, Mahomes scrambled and moved the chains together with his toes.
From the Browns’ 23-yard line, Pacheco ran up the center for eight yards, then Worthy took a fast go and stiff armed his technique to a primary down. Two performs later, Mahomes discovered tight finish Noah Grey after ample time within the pocket. The landing go gave the Chiefs a 14-0 lead.
The Browns threatened to reply the Chiefs’ rating after a giant kick return. Cleveland moved into fourth and quick from Kansas Metropolis’s 40-yard line. On the conversion try, Chiefs’ cornerback Nazeeh Johnson practically intercepted the throw. That gave the ball again to the Chiefs’ offense with simply over two minutes left within the half.
Extensive receiver DeAndre Hopkins moved the chains with a robust catch on the sticks earlier than the two-minute warning. Then, Mahomes dumped off to operating again Samaje Perine for a giant acquire to place the Chiefs contained in the crimson zone.
A fast go to Worthy gained eight yards on first down, pushing to the Browns’ 11-yard line. Nonetheless, the Cleveland protection stiffened up and compelled a area aim with about 20 seconds left. The kick was missed, and the Browns kneeled into halftime with the rating remaining 14-0 within the Chiefs’ favor.
Third quarter
The Browns began the second half with possession, however a fast go went off the meant receiver’s arms and into linebacker Nick Bolton’s grasp. It was the Chiefs’ third turnover of the sport.
The Chiefs took over at Cleveland’s 34-yard line, and didn’t take lengthy to get into the top zone. After shifting the chains as soon as, Mahomes discovered Worthy on a fast go to the sideline, giving him the room to dash downfield and previous the aim line for six factors. The Chiefs had a 21-0 lead early within the third quarter.
After forcing a turnover on the primary play of the Browns’ first drive, the Chiefs did it once more on Cleveland’s second possession. Linebacker Leo Chenal punched the ball out of operating again Nick Chubb’s arms, and linebacker Drue Tranquill recovered on the Browns’ 44-yard line.
The Chiefs’ offense did not reap the benefits of the most recent turnover, gaining no yards over three performs earlier than punting again to the Browns.
Jeudy continued giving the Chiefs’ protection matches on the following drive, shifting the chains twice to maneuver previous midfield. A certain sort out by rookie security Jaden Hicks on second down acquired the Chiefs into third down, and defensive finish Charles Omenihu got here from the blind aspect for a strip sack. The Browns recovered the fumble, however Omenihu ended the drive together with his first sack of the season.
The Chiefs began backed up on this drive, and couldn’t go anyplace after gaining one first down. On third and lengthy, Mahomes was chased down and compelled to throw the ball away, resulting in a punt that gave the Browns favorable area place.
Winston began the drive attempting to keep away from stress from defensive sort out Chris Jones, ultimately going to the bottom with defensive sort out Tershawn Wharton attending to him. Nonetheless, Browns’ operating again Jerome Ford discovered area to the second stage and scored on a 62-yard run. It tightened the Chiefs’ result in 21-7.
The Chiefs went three and out on the next possession, throwing three consecutive incompletions. That gave Cleveland the ball again with an opportunity to tighten the margin to 1 rating. Nonetheless, the Chiefs’ protection earned one other sack when Bolton and Tranquill ambushed a primary down. Two performs later, the go rush compelled Winston out of the pocket and arrange a punt.
Accidents
Tight finish Travis Kelce stayed on the sideline after being caught by the first-down marker after a catch within the first quarter. He returned a couple of performs later.
Security Chamarri Conner stayed down on the sphere after a play late within the first half. He was dominated out with a concussion later.
Particular Groups
Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace compelled a fumble masking a punt within the first quarter. The Chiefs recovered, resulting in a landing.
Kicker Harrison Butker made his first two point-after makes an attempt of the sport.
Punter Matt Araiza’s first punt was returned, then turned over. He has three different punts to this point, one leading to a touchback.
