Last Updated on September 15, 2010 6:05 pm by Anthony Rome
Chiefs vs. Browns Preview
Cleveland, OH – The Kansas City Chiefs used big plays on special teams and in the running game to claim a surprising Week 1 win. The last time they met the Cleveland Browns, that’s exactly what did them in.
Jerome Harrison’s record-setting rushing performance and Josh Cribbs’ two touchdowns on kickoff returns sparked Cleveland’s win at Kansas City last season, breakdowns the visiting Chiefs must avoid Sunday to earn their first 2-0 start in five years.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Browns 1-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. Current NFL Public Betting Information shows that 81% of more than the 1,267 bets for this game have been placed on the Chiefs +1.
Kansas City (1-0) won only 10 games from 2007-2009 but entered its home opener against San Diego hoping three years of stockpiling draft picks would finally spark a turnaround.
For at least one rainy Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium, it appeared that could happen. Rookie second-rounder Dexter McCluster set a team record with a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown, and 2008 third-rounder Jamaal Charles had a 56-yard TD run.
Yet, the 21-14 win wasn’t complete until Kansas City’s much-maligned defense kept the four-time reigning division champions from scoring inside the 10-yard line in the waning seconds.
“We fought a hard-fought game. Nobody gave us a chance,” said defensive end Glenn Dorsey, who had six tackles and a half-sack in perhaps his best performance since being picked fifth overall in 2008.
“For us to come that far and dealing with our past, where maybe the other team might score in that situation, we all had that in the back of our mind, saying, ‘Not tonight.'”
The win offered a far more pleasant memory than what the Chiefs last experienced in a regular-season game at Arrowhead. Dorsey missed Kansas City’s Dec. 20 visit from Cleveland (0-1) with a knee injury, and his team certainly missed him.
Harrison gashed the Chiefs for 286 yards rushing, third-most in NFL history. He scored all three of his touchdowns – including a 71-yarder – in the second half of the Browns’ 41-34 victory.
Cribbs, meanwhile, kept Cleveland in the game in the first half. The two-time All-Pro return man took two kicks back for touchdowns, giving him a league record eight career return TDs.
Neither of the Browns’ dynamic playmakers could make a difference in their Week 1 game at Tampa Bay. Cribbs was held in check and Harrison had 52 yards on only nine carries – the same number as backup Peyton Hillis – in a 17-14 loss.
Hillis’ third-quarter fumble, combined with new quarterback Jake Delhomme’s two interceptions, proved too costly to overcome.
“We’re better than we just did. We just played Browns vs. Browns, and the Browns lost,” said Cribbs, limited to 15.3 yards per kick return and 22 yards from scrimmage. “I would love to give Tampa a lot of credit. They’ve got talented guys out there, but we beat ourselves. We were the better team, but not today.”
Dorsey and rookie safety Eric Berry won’t be the only potential difference-makers on defense the Chiefs will have Sunday who didn’t face Cleveland in 2009. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel makes his return to the shores of Lake Erie for the first time since the Browns fired him in 2008 after four seasons.
Crennel might have a tough time figuring out a definitive game plan against his old team, however. Delhomme sprained his right ankle while throwing a game-swinging interception late in last Sunday’s first half, and he was in a walking boot while sitting out Wednesday’s practice.
“He’s sore,” coach Eric Mangini said. “In terms of how long he will be out, he’s a pretty tough guy. I’d say it’s day to day.”
If Delhomme can’t go, mobile backup Seneca Wallace will get the call. The offseason pickup started 14 games over seven seasons in Seattle, including two last season.
Perhaps an even bigger concern for Cleveland is nose tackle Shaun Rogers not being 100 percent. The stout run stuffer missed Wednesday’s practice with a leg injury, though it’s not expected to keep him out Sunday.
The Browns’ chances of winning a home opener for the first time since 2004 may depend on their ability to contain Charles. Kansas City’s passing game struggled Monday – Matt Cassel threw for 68 yards – but Charles had 92 on 11 carries, a solid effort after closing 2009 with 658 yards over his last four games.
He ran for 154 against the Browns, while Cassel threw for a season-high 331 and two touchdowns.
The Chiefs are 2-7-1 all-time in Cleveland.
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