Browns present few challenges for Chiefs

By Clayton Wendler  |   Friday, December 01, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: Don't be fooled by Cleveland's 13th-ranked pass defense. The Browns have a couple of decent players in the secondary with cornerback Leigh Bodden and safety Sean Jones, but there isn't a single elite player in the bunch. Carson Palmer and the Bengals pretty much had their way with Cleveland's secondary a week ago. An anemic pass rush doesn't help matters.

Rookie outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley is the Browns' best weapon against the pass. He's had a solid debut so far with 7 ½ sacks, rushing from his linebacker spot or often as a defensive end. Willie McGinest isn't the player he once was on the other side of the line. Cleveland is forced to blitz from the 3-4 every week to get any consistent pressure, as their three down linemen aren't very intimidating. The Chiefs will have a big matchup advantage with Tony Gonzalez against any of Cleveland's linebackers if he's anything close to 100 percent after he injured his shoulder against the Dolphins a few weeks ago.
Edge: Chiefs

When the Cleveland Browns pass: Browns quarterback Charlie Frye has tossed 16 interceptions this season. That's the second-most in the league behind Ben Roethlisberger, but Frye's really a much better quarterback than his stats indicate. He has a strong, accurate arm and possesses good mobility, especially given his size. That might be where he gets in trouble, as he has a tendency to abandon the pocket fairly quickly. But it's hard to blame him given the state of Cleveland's pass protection.

Frye has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the league. He's simply overmatched every week. Left tackle Kevin Shaffer is a journeyman player and left guard Joe Andruzzi has been a disappointment since arriving from New England via free agency. Jared Allen and Tamba Hali should put immense pressure on Frye every time he drops back to pass in this game. The Chiefs will likely blitz quite a bit, as the Browns have just been a mess against it all year. Kellen Winslow might be able to hurt the Chiefs down the middle of their Cover 2 defense, but this is a big mismatch regardless.


Edge: Chiefs


When the Kansas City Chiefs run: Cleveland's run defense looks horrible on paper, as they allow 4.5 yards per carry and 132 yards a game, but they are a different animal at home, especially recently. In Cleveland's last three games at home the defense is allowing just 88 yards rushing on average and only 3.2 yards per carry. It's an intriguing matchup as the Chiefs have been gashing everyone recently with Larry Johnson.

Browns nose tackle Ted Washington is not the player he once was, but he'll still present big problems for the Chiefs and undersized center Casey Wiegmann. That's really the only hurdle for KC's running game, however. The Chiefs have destroyed their last two opponents' run defenses for over 200 yards rushing, and they'll likely have even more success again this week.


Edge: Chiefs


When the Cleveland Browns run: Remember the line about Charlie Frye being overmatched? Cleveland's running game is the biggest reason why. The longest rush by any Browns runner all year is only 22 yards. Reuben Droughns is averaging a pitiful 3.1 yards per carry, and Cleveland's other running backs are nothing special, either. The Chiefs are hitting their stride in run defense after stuffing Denver's running game a week ago, and will feast again against Cleveland. A healthy Derrick Johnson at outside linebacker will give Kansas City a big boost.
Edge: Chiefs


Special teams: The Browns finally have an advantage in this game. Dennis Northcutt and Josh Cribbs might be the best return-man duo the Chiefs will face all year. They will test KC's coverage units, which have not been great this year, although they were extremely solid a week ago against Denver's lethargic return game. Dante Hall is having a mediocre year for the Chiefs. The kickers are a push.
Edge: Browns


Intangibles: The Browns are playing for pride at this point, but who knows how they will respond to the 30-0 shellacking laid on them a week ago by Cincinnati. The weather could be a factor in this one as temperatures will be in the 30s with snow looks likely. That probably gives the Chiefs an advantage with their running game.
Edge: Chiefs


Prediction: The Browns won't get shutout again, but they are simply outclassed at almost every turn in this matchup. The Chiefs won't look past another bad football team after dropping road games to Pittsburgh and Miami earlier this year.

Chiefs 20, Browns 6

Get more Kansas City Chiefs analysis at RealFootball365.com
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