For the first game of the season, Chiefs-Browns at Arrowhead will be déjà vu of the AFC Divisional playoff game in January. Kansas City won that playoff matchup.
The Browns have already stated this will be their own revenge game and surely will make sure their defense will not let Patrick Mahomes control the game the way he did last season. Their defense has been loaded with depth during the offseason and will be able to put up a good fight against the KC Offense.
However, Patrick Mahomes is one of a kind and the Chiefs offense has extra weapons this year. Mahomes, Hill, Helaire Edwards, and Kelce are still there, still dangerous and ready to mingle. Additionally, many young players have shown their qualities during the pre-season, like Jody Fortson, Daurice Fountain, or Noah Gray, let’s see if the pressure will not be too important to perform. McKinnon at running back and Marcus Kemp at wide receiver will complete the new KC talented offensive locker room.
But let’s not forget about the offensive line! As we, unfortunately, could have noticed during the Super Bowl, the offensive line is more than useful, even with a genius quarterback like Patrick Mahomes.
“I think they’ve had an amazing preseason,” Mahomes said. “I haven’t got hit a lot; I don’t really think I got touched (in the third preseason game against the Vikings).
“I think that just speaks to them and how they’ve been playing. They’ve done a great job and gotten better each and every week, so I’m excited for the season.”
With the regular season just around the corner, the Chiefs appear set to start five brand-new faces and three rookies to begin 2021. That could raise brows but they look very efficient together. Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was a trade acquisition from the Baltimore Ravens, left guard Joe Thuney was a high-priced free agent from the New England Patriots. Former Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey and Tennessee right guard Trey Smith came to K.C. through the 2021 NFL Draft. Finally, right tackle and “rookie” Lucas Niang who opted out last year because of Covid showed his mad skills during the training camp.
What will be decisive though in this game will be how the Chiefs’ offensive line handles Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium won’t be easy. If they can get to Mahomes or at least keep him in the pocket by protecting the edges, then Clowney and Garrett will have done their job.
In the offseason, the Browns focused on improving the defense, signing six free agents. They recruited defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end Takk McKinley, defensive tackle Malik Jackson, linebacker Anthony Walker, safety John Johnson III, and cornerback Troy Hill.
Cleveland then drafted cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Both are expected to start Sunday. Therefore, the Browns defense got much faster than last year with their new additions, the Chiefs offense has been warned!
So, yes, the Browns lost the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Kansas City Chiefs but they had a very good season and are planning to keep on playing the same way this season. Traveling to Kansas City is a real challenge for them, but they will be motivated to show the AFC divisional playoff loss was just a bump in the road.
