Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs 1/17/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

The Cleveland Browns are coming off of their first playoff appearance in 20 years, and also winning in Pittsburgh for the first time in 17 years. Cleveland got off to a red-hot start in that game starting off with a 28-0 first-quarter lead and never looking back on the way to a 38-37 win. In the regular season, the Browns finished 11-5. The Chiefs got the benefit of a first-round bye after finishing their season at 14-2, they had won 10 games in a row before resting their starters in week 17. 

Cleveland boasts one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL and that has taken a ton of pressure off of Baker Mayfield. The Browns are averaging 148.4 yards per game, the 3rd most in the NFL this season and with that Mayfield has put together a solid season completing 62.8% of his passes, totaling 3,563 yards, and tossing for 26 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions. 

As a whole, the Browns are a middle of the pack offense averaging 369.6 yards per game and averaging 25.5 points per game. The two-headed tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has led the way, Chubb averaging 5.6 yards per carry (4th in NFL), 1,067 (7th in NFL), and 12 TDs (T-4th in NFL). Hunt had 841 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground this year.

Transcendent quarterback Patrick Mahones leads the Kansas City Chiefs, and he has plenty of options to go to in the passing game. Mahones threw for 4,740 yards (2nd in NFL), 38 touchdowns (4th) to just 6 interceptions. His 82.9 QBR was the second-best in the NFL this year. The two main targets are both All-Pro players, tight end Travis Kelce (105 receptions, 1,416 yards, and 11 touchdowns) and Tyreke Hill (87 receptions, 1,276 yards, and 15 touchdowns).

The Chiefs offense is averaging a league-high 415.8 yards and scoring 29.6 points per game, the 6th best scoring offense in the league. Their run game hasn’t been anything miraculous, but rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the main-back for the year totaling 803 yards and four touchdowns. The rook is out for the playoffs with an injury and LeVeon Bell will take over the responsibilities in this game. 

Both of these teams are similar defensively with the Cheifs allowing 358.4 yards and 22.6 points per game. The Browns trail closely behind allowing 358.4 points per game and 26.2 points per game, the Browns defense will need to be on their best game and they’ve been susceptible on the back end allowing 247.6 pass yards per game.