Oddsmakers love Chiefs against Cleveland Browns, but why?

Chiefs 21st-ranked run D does not match up well vs Cleveland Browns

The Chiefs ranked 21st in rushing defense despite the fact that opponents were usually behind. Is 21st in rushing defense good enough to stop Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt? Oh sure! And in fact, they’re expecting this to be a 10 point Chiefs victory instead of the typical seven-point win.

Somebody has to explain why this is so. This analyst does not understand why the Browns cannot run all day long against the Chiefs and pile up 200 yards plus on the ground.

It’s not like they were particularly great at generating sacks, either. 32 sacks in the regular season is good for 19th in the NFL. By contrast, the Browns had 38.

As mentioned, Willie Gay is their best linebacker against the run, and he is out of this contest.

The Chiefs have the ability to plug up the middle with stud tackles Chris Jones and they also have outstanding cornerbacks in Baushaud Breeland, Charvarius Ward, Rashad Fenton (who is questionable with an injured ankle), and L’Jarius Sneed. Tyrann Mathieu is their best safety, flanked by Daniel Sorensen and Juan Thornhill.

But they do not stop the run, and the intermediate passing game is not their back either. Really, the Chiefs are built to stop the mirror image of themselves. They can shut down the deep ball and cover speedy wide receivers, like the  Sammy Watkins type (except he is not going to show up for this one — he is just going to talk about it).