Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Browns are motivated for their Week 15 matchup against the Chiefs, who are looking for their third straight Super Bowl title.
With a win over the Chiefs, the Browns would join the Bills as the only two teams to topple the reigning Super Bowl champions, who have won 12 of their first 13 games this season.
"We're looking forward to going against them," CB Denzel Ward said. "They've won Super Bowls, so it's great to see how we match up against those guys, and I'm looking forward to it."
If the Browns are to defeat QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, they will have to counter an offense that has been dominant in late-game situations.
Of the Chiefs' 12 wins this season, 10 have been by one score. Three of their wins have come from three different kickers hitting game-winning field goals as time expired. In Week 10, the Chiefs blocked the Broncos' own game-winning field goal attempt. And in Week 13, they continued to find ways to win, recovering a fumbled snap on the Raiders' potential game-winning drive.
"I think you make your own luck," head coach Kevin Stefanski said on the Chiefs' success in the fourth quarter this year. "They're a good football team. They've won close games. You win close games by putting yourself in position to go make a play here, make a play there. That puts you over the top."
Through all of the late-game situations the Chiefs have experienced, Mahomes has led seven go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter, consistently making plays in key moments to put the Chiefs ahead on the scoreboard.
Mahomes has led 23 game-winning drives since taking over as the Chiefs starting quarterback in 2018. Paired with head coach and offensive play caller Andy Reid, Mahomes has been innovative with his ability to play off-schedule and improvise.
"Since Coach Reid's been there and with Mahomes at quarterback, they've been at the top of this profession," Stefanski said. "Obviously, they've played really well this season. Like we talked about, winning these close games, I think that's the fun part for us to go up against guys that we really respect, guys that we know are at the top of the game right now."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Kansas City Chiefs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Director of High Performance Shaun Huls during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Kicker Riley Patterson (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Jaelen Gill (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Jaelen Gill (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive end James Houston (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Jaelen Gill (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Tight end Tre' McKitty (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Kicker Riley Patterson (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Kicker Riley Patterson (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 11, 2024.
While they have remained at the top of the AFC this season, Mahomes and the Chiefs offense have not been the explosive, high-scoring offense that they have been in previous years during the Reid-Mahomes era.
Mahomes has thrown the fourth-most interceptions in the NFL this season with 11, while throwing the ninth-most touchdown passes with 20. His current expected points added per drop back of +0.10 is his second-lowest showing behind his 2023 average of +0.02 EPA/DB, per NFL Pro. Expected points added measures the value of each play in a football game by calculating the difference in expected points before and after a play occurs. In Mahomes' most recent MVP season in 2022, he averaged +0.25 EPA/DB.
However, with the best third down offense in the league, converting on nearly 52 percent of attempts, Mahomes and the Chiefs continue to show their ability to win in different ways.
"It's that group of players, their core with Coach [Andy] Reid and they've really played at a high level over these years, and I think they probably know each other really well," Stefanski said. "Just watching their scheme on really all three sides, I think [assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave] Toub and [defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] does a great job. It's a well-designed scheme with a lot of players that have a ton of good experience in those schemes."
The most seasoned veteran pass catcher in the Chiefs system is TE Travis Kelce. The four-time All-Pro tight end and Mahomes have combined for nearly 8,000 yards and 55 touchdowns in their 106 games together. Kelce matches Mahomes' improvisation with an ability to find holes in zone coverage and a receiver-like knack for route running.
Kelce has 682 receiving yards and two touchdowns through 13 games this season and is averaging 8.5 yards per catch, his lowest average of his career since his rookie season.
However, Kelce is still making game-winning plays for the Chiefs despite a slight dip in production.
In the Chiefs' Week 14 win over the Chargers, Mahomes rolled to the right on third down, dodged a group of Chargers defenders and found Kelce for a 9-yard gain. The tight end had cut off his route early, finding a hole in the Chargers defense to make himself an easy target for Mahomes.
"There's a lot of plays that, the route was drawn up a little bit different, but he'll see a spot in zone, and he'll sit down in that spot," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "Like, the [defensive] call actually sort of took care of the pass, but it didn't account for Kelce just seeing what the quarterback saw and sitting down in the zone."
To counter the threat Kelce poses, the defense will have to effectively communicate before and during plays.
LB Jordan Hicks, who wears the green dot and communicates the defensive play calls to the rest of the team, said keeping an eye on Kelce and sharing what he sees with the rest of the defense will be integral to the Browns' chances of knocking off the reigning champions.
"Everybody knows where he's at at all times," Hicks said. "It's part of the scheme that's always put in play when you're going against this team. So, communication for me is more getting the play out, getting the ball out, making sure it's quick and concise and if there are any checks, making sure that we're in it. And then just alerting what I see and trying to stay ahead of the game."
In addition to Kelce, rookie WR Xavier Worthy and DeAndre Hopkins have helped the Chiefs in their quest to earn the top overall seed in the AFC.
Worthy, who set a record at the 2024 NFL Combine with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash, has 448 yards and six total touchdowns this season. Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro receiver, has scored four touchdowns in seven games since the Chiefs acquired him via trade with the Titans ahead of Week 8.
"They've got a lot of great receivers and guys that can make plays with the ball in their hands, and Worthy's one of those guys. He's a fast guy who can take the top off the defense," Ward said. "[DeAndre Hopkins], everybody knows what he's done in this league so far, great contested catch guy. Mahomes gets the ball to his play makers, and they do the rest."
