Ineligible Man Downfield: 5 things to watch for in Browns-Chiefs
Plus: The Cavs did something really good.
Here’s what will decide this weekend’s showdown.
1. Denzel Ward is back. While it’s unclear what Denzel Ward’s stamina will look like after what sounds like a pretty nasty multiple-week battle with COVID symptoms, simply having your All-Pro cornerback back on the field is a major morale boost for the Browns. Even a corner of Ward’s caliber isn’t going to be able to slow down the Chiefs aerial attack, but it does allow the Browns to do some things coverage-wise that they simply couldn’t run without him in the lineup. Ward will probably get the assignment on Tyreek Hill any time the Browns go man — an almost impossible matchup for any DB — but Ward’s potential to disrupt Patrick Mahomes’ desire to get Hill the ball is crucial. In a game where the Browns are hoping to force the Chiefs into one or two punts instead of zero, having Ward back on the field is huge. — Jordan Zirm
2. Baker Mayfield needs to be on point. And the Browns, frankly, should expect him to be. He’s been excellent for weeks now and him being shaky or not really isn’t a concern anymore. But a) that has to maintain this weekend and b) they might even need more depending on how the game unfolds. If Patrick Mahomes cooks early and gives Kansas City a lead, it’ll be on Mayfield to turn the game into a classic Big 12 shootout and unlock the Browns’ offense. He can’t match Mahomes — no one really can — but can he get close if Cleveland needs him too? — Chris Manning
3. Can the Browns defense hang with the Chiefs at all? The Browns defense has a daunting task ahead of it as it tries to slow one of the most prolific offenses in NFL. Even with Ward and Kevin Johnson back in the secondary, the chances the Browns can hang with Mahomes and company are slim to none. The good news? With the way the offense is humming, they don’t need to shut down the Chiefs. What the Browns need is this: get pressure with their front four and drop everyone else in coverage all day long. Maybe you get lucky and force Mahomes into trying to fit a ball into too tight a window and pick it off. Maybe you get one or two 3rd down stops, force a punt, and score. The offense gives a struggling defense a bit of a cushion. Will it be enough? We’ll find out. — JZ
4. Managing the clock is going to matter. And, specifically, the Browns need to do it via the running game. The Chiefs, per Football Outsiders, are the second-worst run defense in the NFL this year. The Browns, meanwhile, have a two-headed monster in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Cleveland likely cannot literally run the clock out, but a clear path to victory is leaning on the run game and leveraging that threat to uncork big plays via play action. A big, big part of that will also be trying to extend drives and not allowing the Chiefs offense to be on the field all that much. — CM
5. Joel Bitonio will play, but will Jack Conklin? Joel Bitonio, after missing last week due to COVID-19, will back at left guard this week. Jack Conklin’s status, though, is unclear as he hasn’t practiced this week due to the hamstring injury he suffered last week. If he can’t go, there’s just going to be a drop-off at right tackle. That’s a margin that will matter against a team as good as Kansas City. — CM
ICYMI
In the James Harden trade, the Cavs got Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince from the Nets
They also waived Maker and Ferrell
Ward and Johnson are off the COVID-19 list
Kevin Stefanski is back in the Browns’ building
Hodge is also off the COVID-19 list
Ronnie Harrison is likely to play more this week
Conklin, Njoku and Goodson all didn’t practice on Thursday
Three Indians are still eligible for arbitration ahead of Friday’s deadline
Chase Claypool is still talking
Thoughts on these Cavs jersey mockups?
One thing to read today
At The Ringer, Rob Harvilla on seeing the Browns in the playoffs
Who we are
Chris Manning: Site Manager at Fear the Sword, co-host of the Locked on Cavs podcast, words at places like Cleveland Magazine and Forbes. On Twitter @cwmwrites
Jordan Zirm: Social editor at @TheCheckdown. Formerly of ESPN Cleveland. Words at B/R, SB Nation and UPROXX. Host of The Rebuild podcast. On Twitter @clevezirm
Alex Hooper: Contributor at Fantasy Sports Insight. Former Cleveland Baseball Club beat writer for 92.3 the Fan (WKRK), and contributor at Sports Illustrated, Let’s Go Tribe, and the News-Herald. On Twitter @lexhooper.
Photo: Getty