Week 2 Preview and How the Browns Will Win

Week 2 Opponent – Kansas City Chiefs

I hate to say it this early in the season, but for coach Eric Mangini this game is a must win.  We all know that president Mike Holmgren has his protegee, Jon Gruden, on speed dial.   But we will save that conversation for later, if it even gets to that point.

Well with last week now officially behind us let’s take a look at the next opponent on our schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs, who are coming off the short week after a loss win against the San Diego Chargers. I totally did not see that one coming.  The Chiefs will undoubtedly want some revenge for last year’s game – you’ll recall Jerome Harrison ran all over the Chiefs D.

Kansas City runs a 3-4 scheme, and has been stockpiling top draft picks the past couple of years in DEs Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson and S Eric Berry.  Yes, I’m still upset with Scott Pioli for selecting Berry over an O-lineman this past year, but I digress.  The Chiefs defense looks improved from last year’s squad.  Yet the Chiefs have a number of youngsters playing big roles, which could lead to some big play possibilities. Though it has only been one game, the Browns should expect more of a challenge from the Kansas City this season.

On offense the Chiefs use the running back by committee philosophy – with the ageless Thomas Jones, and Jamaal Charles splitting carries.  Jones is more of a punishing back, while Charles is a threat to hit the hole and be gone any time he touches the ball. At wide-out Kansas City has two big name, underachieving WRs in Chris Chambers and Dwayne Bowe.  The Chiefs have also added a do-everything player, with rookie Dexter McCluster, who is used in a similar manner as Josh Cribbs.  However after watching the Monday Night game, the area which the Chiefs have improved the most and impressed me the most, is with their return game having  McCluster and fellow rookie S Javier Arenas split those duties.

So how will the Browns win this week? Well first of all, the Browns can not allow the Chiefs to get their return game going, like they where able to against the Chargers.  Secondly we will have to limit the number of turnovers this week – we had 3 last week, a HUGE reason why the Browns lost.  In that same light, RB Peyton Hillis needs to secure the ball better (he fumbled twice, but only lost 1).  Lastly the  coaching staff need to stick to what we do best.  Take a look at last week’s game in the 1st half we managed the game clock, limited turnovers, had good field position, and ran the ball well. In the 2nd half all that went out the window.  The Browns will need to pass less (38 attempts last week!!!) and run more.  Consider this, both Harrison and Hillis combined only rushed 18 times, each with 9 carries, this is unacceptable when the running game is considered to be the strength of your offense.

Up next – Baltimore Ravens