The Browns lost their final preseason game, 33-32, to the Chiefs Saturday in Kansas City.
Here are three takeaways from the preseason finale.
Starting defense wreaks havoc
Cleveland's defense had an impressive showing against the Chiefs in Saturday's first half. The unit made several key plays, including three interceptions, two of which directly resulted in points and another that set up the Browns offense for a short drive and touchdown.
"I was really pleased with the takeaways," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Scoring on defense was outstanding."
S Juan Thornhill, who began his career in Kansas City, scored the Browns' first points of the game after he read the eyes of QB Shane Buechele and jumped the route for a 34-yard pick-6.
The second takeaway happened after CB Martin Emerson Jr. made a powerful hit on Chiefs WR Cornell Powell, knocking the ball into the air. McLeod caught it, leading to another interception for the Browns and giving the offense excellent field position.
The third interception came just before halftime when rookie CB Caleb Biggers returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown.
The defense finished the game with three sacks, seven quarterback hurries, three interceptions, and two touchdowns.
Check out photos of the Browns against the Chiefs
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0)\ during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back Demetric Felton Jr. (25) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod (26) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod (26) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back Demetric Felton Jr. (25) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The offense during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Lorenzo Burns (27) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Lonnie Phelps (63) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod (26) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
A coach during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Lonnie Phelps (63) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Linebacker Matthew Adams (40) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (51) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Jeremiah Martin (69) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Linebacker Charlie Thomas III (35) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tight end Thomas Greaney (81) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Safety Tanner McCalister (48) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Caleb Biggers (39) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Caleb Biggers (39) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) OR Cornerback Gavin Heslop (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback A.J. Green III (38) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Caleb Biggers (39) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back Hassan Hall (30) OR Safety Nate Meadors (30) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back Hassan Hall (30) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tight end Miller Forristall (86) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tight end Thomas Greaney (81) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Running back Hassan Hall (30) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Cornerback Gavin Heslop (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Deshaun Watson plays well in extended action
QB Deshaun Watson made his second appearance of the preseason and displayed composure despite a shaky beginning, when the Browns' first series ended on a botched exchange between Watson and RB Jordan Wilkins.
"It was good for us to deal with some adversity early on," Watson said. "Being able to capitalize off the turnovers we got was good. We made plays, moved the ball and got multiple guys to touch the ball."
The offense got rolling on Watson's third possession, when they started in the red zone following a Rodney Mcleod interception. On a third-and-4, Watson threw the ball to where only TE David Njoku could catch it for a 10-yard touchdown.
On his next drive, Watson escaped the pocket and found Amari Cooper wide open down the left side for a 53-yarder that set up another TD.
All told, Watson participated in four series and played 18 snaps. He completed 5-of-10 attempts for 92 yards and a touchdown, resulting in a rating of 115.4.
"Kevin has been on edge on wanting to call some things, but it's going to be a lot of things that look very different come Week 1," Watson said. "We got 10 days to get everything tuned up and ready. Once Sept. 10 comes in Cleveland Browns Stadium, it will be fireworks."
Handful of Browns dealing with injuries
WR Jakeem Grant Sr. was carted off the field with a knee injury after returning the opening kickoff. This was the first time Grant, who signed with the team in March 2022, had seen the field in a Browns uniform. Grant missed the entire 2022 season after suffering an Achilles injury during training camp a year ago.
"We think highly of Jakeem the difference maker he is in the return game is one of the things that attracted us to him," Stefanski said. "Very disappointed for him, a guy who worked very hard and everything in been through."
CB Denzel Ward, who started and played most of the first quarter, is in the league's concussion protocol, Stefanski said.
DT Jordan Elliott suffered a hip injury in Saturday's first half and did not return.
