5 issues to look at because the Chiefs play the Browns in Week 15

The ultimate stretch of the NFL common season is right here. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (12-1) will play the primary of 4 video games main into the postseason by matching up with the Cleveland Browns (3-10). The AFC foes will play at Huntington Financial institution Area in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, with kickoff set for midday Arrowhead time.

The Chiefs have the AFC West title clinched, however not the No. q total seed within the convention. The Buffalo Payments (10-3) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) are nonetheless within the struggle. Every has powerful battles in Week 15, and if all three outcomes go in favor of the Chiefs, it could solely take yet one more victory during the last three video games to seal home-field benefit.

First, the Chiefs need to care for enterprise in Cleveland, and the Browns’ strengths as a group may trigger hassle. Listed below are 5 issues to look at in Sunday’s recreation:

1. Defending Patrick Mahomes from Myles Garrett

The Chiefs’ shaky cross safety of late might be going through one among its strongest assessments this season. The Browns lead the NFL in quarterback stress fee (,38.8%) in response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats.

The unit is led by defensive finish Myles Garrett, who ranks second amongst certified defenders this 12 months in sacks (11) and stress fee (19.3%).

Garrett has primarily aligned on the left aspect of the offensive formation this season. The 270-pound edge rusher has the ability and attain to shortly disrupt quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind aspect. Garrett has compelled three fumbles this 12 months.

Irrespective of who’s taking part in left sort out on Sunday, it can take a pointed recreation plan from the Chiefs to make sure Garrett doesn’t take over this recreation himself. Except for getting the ball out shortly, search for true double-team blocks on cross downs with a good finish staying in. Look ahead to the offense to make use of extra rolling pockets and screens to restrict hits on Mahomes.

This last four-game stretch is about holding Mahomes wholesome simply as a lot as it’s about discovering one of the best methods to beat uneasiness at left sort out.

2. A giant check for Chiefs’ cross protection

No group has been extra pass-heavy this season than the Cleveland Browns, dropping again to throw on a league-high 65.4% of performs. Quarterback Jameis Winston will make his seventh consecutive begin on Sunday, averaging over 315 passing yards per recreation in that point.

It ought to give the Chiefs’ protection loads of repetitions to work on its cross protection, which has allowed too many lengthy completions in essential moments. Vast receiver Jerry Jeudy has the second-most receiving yards (678) within the NFL since Week 8, working off a median depth of goal of 13.1 yards.

The downfield throws unfold to any of the Browns’ energetic large receivers. Will probably be a litmus check for the cornerbacks behind Trent McDuffie. Joshua Williams is the following man up at present, with veteran Steven Nelson awaiting on the observe squad. Williams’ means to cleanly deal with vertical routes on the surface might be essential in Cleveland.

3. Forcing extra turnovers

With Winston’s excessive cross fee, he’s additionally extra more likely to flip the ball over. The 9 interceptions he has thrown since turning into the starter are essentially the most within the NFL. In keeping with PFF, Winston has 5 extra turnover-worthy performs (15) than some other quarterback since Week 8.

That pattern comes up in opposition to a Chiefs’ protection that has compelled simply three turnovers whole in that point. It’s an enormous cause why the allowed explosive performs really feel so impactful: the protection isn’t countering them with takeaways. This might be an enormous alternative for each degree of the Chiefs’ protection to create that momentum-shifting play.

Search for cross rushers to swat at Winston’s arms as he maneuvers the pocket and defensive backs to make performs with anticipation. Security Justin Reid’s interception in Week 7 got here from leaping a route downfield; seeing that from the secondary in opposition to an unabashed Winston can be encouraging.

4. Taking part in via the working backs extra

With Garrett respiratory down the neck of the Chiefs’ offense all day, the unit has one baseline goal it wants to perform on Sunday: set up a dependable dashing assault.

The Chiefs have leaned on the run recreation much less and fewer because the season has moved alongside, however the working again room feels stocked with worthy ball carriers. Starter Isiah Pacheco appears to be like again to kind, Kareem Hunt is never stopped for a detrimental play, and Samaje Perine is actually stepping up into the soiled work on cross downs.

It additionally helps the offensive line name extra run performs, limiting the variety of publicity alternatives for a dropback. The entrance 5 and this backfield are additionally constructed to execute display screen calls.

With the climate slated to be dreary on Sunday, the Chiefs ought to have the ability to belief the backfield to hold the offense to the end line. The Browns have allowed the fourth-most dashing touchdowns this season and give up the fourth-highest fee of Dashing Yards Over Anticipated (RYOE) per try within the NFL.

5. Evolving roles for DeAndre Hopkins and Xavier Worthy

When the Chiefs do drop again to cross, fast releases have appeared simpler to return by for Mahomes currently.

One cause is rookie large receiver Xavier Worthy progressing as a route runner on the quick and intermediate ranges. On passes thrown lower than 20 yards downfield the final three weeks, Worthy has caught 11 of 12 targets to him; seven of these completions resulted in first down.

Worthy’s development as a real slot receiver has led to veteran large receiver DeAndre Hopkins working extra routes outdoors the numbers. Mahomes is trusting him in shut protection extra, whether or not he comes down with the ball or attracts cross interference.

Mahomes throws into tight home windows on the lowest fee (9.1%) within the NFL this season, however every of his final 4 video games has featured increased tight-window throw charges than common.