CHIEFS 41, BROWNS 20
ABOUT THE SCORE
— It was the most points the Browns have given up in the Butch Davis era, the most since December 3, 2000, when the Browns lost with Wynn and Jacksonville scored 48.
— It was the largest point margin in any Browns game since the 2001 season finale in Pittsburgh, which the Browns lost 28-7. The only more lopsided game in the Davis era came two weeks earlier, in Green Bay, where the Packers won 30-7.
— It was the exact same score by which KC beat Pittsburgh back in Week 2 this year.
ABOUT THE GAME
— The Browns lost this game on third down. They converted just 27%, while allowing the Chiefs to convert 75% of the time.
— The defensive line’s inability to either rush the passer or snuff out the numerous screen passes allowed KC’s offense to dominate the game. They scored on seven of their ten possessions (excluding the game-ending kneel-downs.)
— Quincy Morgan is fine taking short passes on plays designed just for him. Down the field, he’s no factor. Though it was too late in the game anyway, he dropped what would have been a big gainer, then failed to even jump for Holcomb’s overthrown ball that became an easy interception.
— Gerard Warren’s stats: two tackles, three penalties. The first of those penalties, for recklessly ramming into the stalled lineman who had illegally caught a pass, gave the momentum to KC, after the Browns started the game by forcing a three-and-out, driving for a field goal, and stopping KC’s next two offensive plays.
— Browns’ game MVPs: offense — Jeff Faine (solid return from injury, his block let James Jackson score the Browns’ first TD); defense — Andra Davis (three sacks, forced Dante Hall’s turnover); special teams — Chris Gardocki (five good punts, no return yards).
— Eddie Kennison’s 115 receiving yards were the most allowed by the Browns this season. Each of his seven catches were damaging in their own way, especially the 24-yarder on third-and-10 with minute to go in the first half, and the back-breaking 27-yard, fourth-down, fourth-quarter touchdown. Someone please remind me why Roosevelt Williams was in coverage there.
— Andre Davis and James Jackson both made some nice plays today, but both of them also fumbled the ball. Reminder: Jamel White has only one career fumble, over two years ago. He might be a better option on kickoff returns than Davis, especially now that Davis is starting at WR.
FINAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Few expected the Browns to upset the undefeated Chiefs today, but this game has to go down as a disappointment. The supposed progress on defense was shown to be an illusion when confronted with an elite offense. Just comparing the direction of Vermeil’s Chiefs and Davis’ Browns since they last met in the 40-39 thriller to open the 2002 season leads one to conclude that the Browns’ troubles go much, much deeper than missing a few injured players.
Now, at 3-6, this team faces another absolute must-win game when the Cardinals — also 3-6 — come to Cleveland next week. If they lose that one, this season becomes more than a step backwards. It becomes an intolerable embarrassment.
No pressure.
