Scouting Ahead: Cleveland Browns Week 1 opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs
By Colin Damms
2. Stock high or low on KC’s defense?
One of the big problems with the Browns offense in their 2020 AFC Divisional Round defeat in Arrowhead Stadium was they were basically playing from behind the entire game. Their inability to win on key downs in Chiefs territory, some bad luck, and unforced errors all played a role in preventing a win in a hostile environment with Patrick Mahomes sidelined.
The Chiefs defense deserves credit for this as well, but there is no excuse for them to control the game this time around.
Not only are the Browns fully restocked and refreshed on both sides of the ball, but the defense was also an area which the Chiefs didn’t really address in the offseason. They come into the season missing linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and the status of All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu is “uncertain.”
The latter is obviously the bigger loss, but a front seven with holes in it isn’t ideal going up against Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and the Browns’ elite offensive line. They do still have Chris Jones, one of the best interior linemen in the league, but he may be carrying the weight of the pass rush and run defense. Their premier pass rusher, the problematic Frank Clark, has been a bit of an expensive disappointment as well.
One positive that the Chiefs defense has is the continuity of having Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator for another season. There is a reason that the Chiefs have been to back-to-back Super Bowls, and it isn’t just their prolific offense. The Browns shouldn’t necessarily be intimidated by this unit, but it isn’t one they should scoff at either. They should remember the lessons learned last time out and execute.