Preparation for the new NFL season is over for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns. The two teams met for their third and fourth (the Browns played the Hall of Fame Game) preseason game and played a wild game that had a lot to offer, especially in the first half.
From the Cleveland Browns’ point of view, the game started extremely badly. Returner Jakeem Grant, who was injured and had to be driven off, was already hit at kickoff. And the false start continued without hesitation. Quarterback Deshaun Watson slipped the ball out of his hand during the handoff – and the Chiefs secured the egg.
Luckily from the Browns’ point of view, the Chiefs didn’t make much of their good field position and only secured a field goal. Meanwhile, the Browns defense also had a lot of sand in the works. Watson and company couldn’t get their horsepower on the road and were quickly forced to punt.
But if the offense can’t do it properly, then just the defense. Ironically, Juan Thornhill, who recently came to Cleveland from Kansas City, intercepted a pass from Shane Buechele and marched into the end zone at high speed. However, during the subsequent PAT attempt, Browns kicker Cade York was injured.
While he was still being treated marginally, his offense converted the two point conversion. York didn’t have much time to spare, however, because his defense had meanwhile managed another interception and prepared a short field for Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense.
Kansas City Chiefs – Cleveland Browns 33:32 (3:22, 13:7, 14:0, 3:3)
Watson capitalized on that, finding David Njoku in the end zone and allowing the Browns to extend their lead. York was now fit again and converted the PAT. The Browns defense had really tasted blood and ensured the next ball possession change with a quick three and out.
And because things were going so well, Watson tried a wide pass to Amari Cooper and found his number one receiver for 52 yards. The way was paved for the next touchdown and the Browns’ clear lead.
The game was now over for Watson, the starting quarterback of the Browns went into the well-deserved end of the day. Shane Buechele would have wished for the same thing, although he had another drive on the lawn. After all, he was able to say goodbye with a nice touchdown pass to Ross with a sense of achievement.
He was replaced by Journeyman Blaine Gabbert, who started the game well but had a lot of bad luck with some drops from his receivers. In the end, that’s how La’Mical Perine had to judge. The running back cleared three tackling opponents and ran into the end zone for a touchdown a few minutes before the break.
The Chiefs seemed to be fully back in the game at the break. However, the calculation was made without the Browns defense, which managed the next pick six 30 seconds before the end of the half. At 29:16 it was time for the break.
NFL: Chiefs coming out of halftime well
During the break, the Chiefs had apparently planned a lot and made certain adjustments. The hosts came out of the dressing room with a lot of momentum. Blaine Gabbert found Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a 43-yard touchdown and the hosts got back on the Browns.
Meanwhile, the guests were still a bit sleepy from the tea break and not only gave the ball back quickly, but were also too far away from their opponents on defense. The Chiefs, now with Chris Oladokun as quarterback. knew how to use this. The young playmaker found Matt Bushman in the end zone and suddenly the Chiefs were ahead for the first time since the first quarter.
From then on, the game rippled along, only in the final phase did it get exciting again. First it was the Browns who took the lead again with a field goal from Cade York. However, the Chiefs’ response followed just minutes later. The hosts also had to settle for a field goal, but were able to regain the lead.
The problem: Andy Reid’s men left the Browns with 1:50 minutes left – enough time to hit back one last time. And after a solid drive and a sensitive penalty against the Chiefs, Cleveland actually got the chance.
Cade York could have made himself the match winner from 42 yards, but the kicker lost his nerve. The cheering among the home fans was correspondingly great, the Chiefs go into the season opener in a week and a half with a win.
Had the choice been made at the break, the lucky winner would have been the Browns defense. With two pick sixes before the break, the guests’ defensive line got off to a great start in the game. Ultimately, however, the Browns allowed 33 points. Too much to be considered the star of the game.
Therefore, the choice goes to Izmir Smith-Marsette. The Chiefs wide receiver knew how to use his chance in the last preseason game. All four of his targets ended in a catch. The youngster scored a strong 101 yards including a 43-yard touchdown shortly after the break.
Here you have to name Shane Buechele for better or worse. The Chiefs quarterback has played a good preseason so far, but hasn’t been able to build on it. Of 17 passes, he only managed eight and even managed two interceptions.
To make matters worse, these two ended in a pick six. At least Buechele was able to find a conciliatory end to his used day with a touchdown on Ross shortly before the break.
Ex-Chief Juan Thornhill’s Pick Six would also have been an option here, but La’Mical Perine put on an outstanding touchdown run in the second quarter and kept the Chiefs in the game.
Whoever breaks three tackles and then sprints into the end zone deserves the highlight of the game.