The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Cleveland Browns this Sunday in week one of the NFL regular season. The Browns will look for revenge after falling to the Chiefs in the playoffs last season.
The Chiefs had a great season in 2020, however it is hard to convince them of that after their poor showing in the Super Bowl. They revamped their offensive line, trading for starting left tackle Orlando Brown from the Ravens, and drafting center Creed Humphrey in the second round of the NFL draft. Gone is Sammy Watkins, but the Chiefs are confident that Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, and Byron Pringle can all step up and fill the void. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill return for another year with Patrick Mahomes. Despite not making many big splashes on the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City looks poised to make another title run on the backs of the most dangerous offense in football.
The Browns did not change much with their offense in the offseason, but they did bring in Austin Hooper to help Baker Mayfield take the next step in 2021. He did a great job cutting down the interceptions in his third year, so he will have to prove he can carry an offense in his fourth year. Returning is their top-tier offensive line, as well as both running backs, Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb. Both had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage a year ago. Their defense remains intact, and they got their hands on one of the best corners in the draft, Greg Newsome out of Northwestern. He should help bolster a secondary that ranked in the bottom half of the league with 247.6 yards per game through the air in 2020.
Kansas City is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games, 9-1 on the money line, and the over is 5-5.
Cleveland is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games, 7-3 on the money line, and the over is 5-5.
Kansas City did a great job revamping their offensive line, but they have yet to prove they can play together. With a shortened preseason, it may take them time to adjust to playing as a unit. The Browns proved they can hang with the Chiefs after their close loss in the Divisional Round last season, and their young roster has plenty of room for another step forward this season. Cleveland’s pass rush remains one of the best in the league and could prove to be the difference in this game. Give me the Browns and the points.
AUTHOR: Joe Bonomo
Mitch's Take...
