CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 3-10 Cleveland Browns host the two-time defending Super Bowl champion and 12-1 Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.
Here’s what we are watching for.
Close calls – The Chiefs might be the most charmed team this season with a perfect 10-0 record in one-score games. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has engineered seven game-winning drives and six games have been decided on the final play – all wins. Conversely, the Browns, who consistently beat themselves through penalties and turnovers this season, are 3-4 in one-score games.
Hometown kids – Kareem Hunt and Travis Kelce return home looking to beat the Browns. Hunt, who played five seasons in Cleveland after being released by the Chiefs, has 606 yards and five touchdowns rushing, one fewer rushing score than the Browns have combined. Kelce, who has caught five touchdowns in three games against the Browns, has 80 catches for 682 yards and two cores this season.
Century watch – Myles Garrett is half a sack away from 100 in his career. Garrett currently is second in the league with 11.0 sacks, marking the fifth consecutive season he has hit that mark. Garrett will not go up against left tackle D.J. Humphries, who was downgraded to out on Saturday by Kansas City. Garrett would also become the fifth player to reach the milestone in his first eight seasons.
Hopkins gets the boot – Kicker Dustin Hopkins will likely be replaced by Riley Patterson Sunday after Patterson was elevated from the practice squad Saturday afternoon. Hopkins, who is 16-25 this season on field goals, missed from 38 and 43 last week in Pittsburgh. Patterson was signed Tuesday.
Last Time – September 12, 2021: Chiefs 33, Browns 29
Series – Chiefs lead all-time 14-11-2
Last week – Chiefs beat the Chargers 19-17, Browns lost to the Steelers 27-14
How they compare – Here’s a look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Points scored: Chiefs 23.69, Browns 17.85
Yards: Chiefs 338.2, Browns 313.0
Rushing: Chiefs 110.6, Browns 88.5
Passing: Chiefs 227.6, Browns 224.5
Points allowed: Chiefs 19.4, Browns 25.8
Yards allowed: Chiefs 310.1, Browns 343.2
Rushing yards allowed: Chiefs 88.3, Browns 127.9
Passing yards allowed: Chiefs 221.8, Browns 215.3
Turnover ratio: Chiefs -4, Browns -10
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jerry Jeudy, LT Germain Ifedi, LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE David Njoku, QB Jameis Winston, RB Nick Chubb, TE Jordan Akins, WR Elijah Moore
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Shelby Harris, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo, LB Mohamoud Diabate, LB Devin Bush, CB Denzel Ward, CB Cameron Mitchell, CB MJ Emerson, S Juan Thornhill, S Rodney McLeod
Injury report – OUT: WR Cedric Tillman (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: G Joel Bitonio (back) TE David Njoku (hamstring), DT Mike Hall (knee), CB Myles Harden (tibia), LB Khaleke Hudson (abdomen)
Uniforms – White 1946 jersey, white pants, white helmet
Broadcast – 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals radio network; WOIO TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. Huntington Bank Field; Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – Browns 23, Chiefs 20
