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Cleveland Browns: 3 keys to beating the Kansas City Chiefs

By Eddie McDonald

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 17: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football in the third quarter past Tershawn Wharton #98 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff at Arrowhead Stadium on January 17, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 17: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football in the third quarter past Tershawn Wharton #98 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff at Arrowhead Stadium on January 17, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt
JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 29: Runningbacks Kareem Hunt #27 and Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns shake hands after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 29, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 27-25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

2. Cleveland Browns need to establish the run

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are two of the best running backs in the NFL and they both share the same backfield in Cleveland.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com considers them the best running back duo in the NFL, and quite frankly, it’s hard to argue against.

Last season, the Browns had the third-best rushing attack in the league behind only the Ravens and Titans. Chubb rushed for 1,067 yards (89 yards per game), including 5.6 yards per carry, all while missing four games. Hunt filled in admirably for Chubb in his absence and even alongside him, rushing for 841 yards and 4.2 yards per carry.

This bodes well in Sunday’s matchup as the Chiefs had the 21st ranked rushing defense last season. What isn’t good for the Chiefs outside of the dynamic duo is the fact that the Browns boast the best offensive line in football.

If Chubb and/or Hunt can get the ball rolling on the ground, it will open up the playbook and allow Baker Mayfield to operate the offense in the fullest form; through play-action.

In the January playoff matchup, Chubb (69 yards on 13 carries) and Hunt (32 yards on six carries, plus a touchdown) rushed for 101 yards. That number likely would have been higher had the Browns had not dug themselves into a hole.

Much like the Browns defense needing to bring their A-game against Mahomes, the Chiefs defense needs to do the same against this high-octane rushing attack.

If the Browns can open up the playbook by establishing the run, with the best duo in the NFL, they will be in a prime position to enact a little bit of revenge.

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