Cleveland Browns instant reactions: Divisional Round comeback falls short

Defense

The first drive off the start of the game saw the Chiefs march straight down the field and score a touchdown on the Browns. The most evident problem for the Browns was that the Chiefs looked much faster than the Browns in open space.

Kansas City’s drive saw the Browns decided to put Denzel Ward on Travis Kelce as a way of neutralizing him. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop the Chiefs from targeting Kelce in the red zone for the second touchdown of the day resulting in a 13-3 score in favor of Kansas City.

The defense struggled again in the third drive. The main issue is the speed that Kansas City is using to threaten the Browns. It is making the defense hesitant to trust their reads for fear of getting beat deep. This is leaving the middle and short routes open where speed players can play in space. The Browns are not keeping up. The drive resulted in a field goal.

The touchback left 1:34 in the half. The Chiefs took advantage of that time and field position. They drove down the field and kicked a field goal with five seconds left on the clock to end the half.

Off the turnover to start the second half, the Browns were able to hold the Chiefs to another field goal attempt which the kicker promptly missed. This was the third drive in a row that Browns have held the Chiefs to a field goal attempt.

On the next drive, quarterback Patrick Mahomes left the game with what looked like a concussion. Quarterback Chad Henne came into the game for Mahomes, which was a significant downgrade. The Chiefs were held to another field goal attempt one that the Chiefs kicker made. After the field goal, the game was 22-10 Chiefs.

The next drive the Browns really needed to get a stop to keep their offense in the game. The defense delivers with an interception in the end zone. Score 22-17 Chiefs.