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Three Big Takeaways

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Turnovers play critical role in loss to the Chiefs | 3 Big Takeaways 

Browns defense allowed only seven third down conversions

Takeaways Week 15 12.15

The Browns dropped their 11th game of the season as they fell to the Chiefs 21-7 in Week 15 in a game determined by the turnover margin. It was also one of their final two home games of the 2024 season.

"The most important thing is us just finding a way to win," QB Jameis Winston said. "Us finding a way to eliminate hurting ourselves, stabbing ourselves in the foot, whatever it may be. Whether it's procedural, whether it's turnovers – as an offense, starting with the quarterback, we all have to play better."

Here are the three main takeaways from the Browns loss to the Chiefs.

Turnovers played critical role

Throughout the 2024 season, the Browns have preached the importance of winning the turnover margin. Yet, they have struggled to do so in certain games, and it has affected their ability to win games.

They lost the turnover battle to the Chiefs in Week 15, as they turned the ball over six times – as well as an additional turnover on downs – while the Chiefs only turned the ball over once on downs.

"You cannot turn the ball over six times and expect to win any football game at any level," Stefanski said. "It's hard enough to turn over once versus a very good football team. So, I'm extremely disappointed that we did that."

Winston threw three interceptions, while the Browns also fumbled the ball two times – one on a punt return by WR James Proche II in the first quarter and another by RB Nick Chubb in the third quarter. When QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson came in late in the fourth quarter, he also threw an interception with less than two minutes left in the game.

Proche's fumble occurred on a punt return and was recovered by the Chiefs that set their offense up in the red zone. The Chiefs were able to turn the fumble recovery into a three-play, 21-yard touchdown drive for their lone points in the first quarter. Chubb's fumble, which occurred in the third quarter, also set the Chiefs up in good field position but were not able to capitalize.

"What we're doing in terms of adding a degree of difficulty to how we're playing, it's really tough to win," Stefanski said. "Until we knock that out, it's going to be hard to win. It's not a question of effort. It's not a question of how we're working, we just have to take care of the football better. And it's everybody. It's not just one person. It's not about one side of the ball. It's a team loss. But it's really frustrating because you're just not going to win any games doing that."

Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 15 NFL game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

Defense forced Chiefs into three-and-out situations

Overall, the Browns defense put the Chiefs into tough situations from the beginning of the game. The Chiefs only totaled 55 yards and punted three times in the first quarter alone.

Overall, they limited Kansas City to 132 net rushing yards and 179 passing yards.

While the Browns did not record a sack on QB Patrick Mahomes, they did bring ample pressure over the course of the game. Mahomes finished the game completing 19 of 39 passing attempts for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 78.7 passer rating.

"I thought we did a good job of forcing him to throw the ball away, dirt it or just different things," LB Jordan Hicks said. "The rush plan was to try and keep him in the pocket. Overall, I think we did a good job of it."

The Browns forced the Chiefs to punt nine times over the course of the game, as well as forced a turnover on downs halfway through the fourth quarter as Mahomes attempted a pass on fourth-and-3 that fell incomplete.

DT Dalvin Tomlinson said the Browns followed the game plan defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz put in place to make plays in third down situations by containing Kansas City on the inside. Entering Week 15, the Chiefs led the league in third-down conversion percentage at 52 percent. The Browns only allowed the Chiefs to convert 7 of 18 third down attempts.

"I think the first half we did a better job than the second half," DE Myles Garrett said. "I think they completed too many in the second half overall, but I think we had a little bit of a lapse in the second quarter, which allowed the points; but I think we were able to get off the field a little bit better in the second half, even though we relinquished a couple of third downs."

Check out photos of players warming up for a game against the Kansas City Chiefs

Jerry Jeudy reaches career milestones

WR Jerry Jeudy hit career milestones in Week 15 against Chiefs.

Not only did he surpass 4,000 career receiving yards, but he also passed 1,000 receiving yards on the 2024 season. It's the first time in his career he's had a 1,000+ yard season. Jeudy has a total of 1,052 receiving yards this season following Week 15.

"Jerry continues to just help this football team move the ball," Stefanski said." I think there's definitely opportunities where he can help us even more. And he's a very friendly target for quarterbacks. He's finding ways to get open in a variety of ways."

Jeudy also recorded a career-high 11 receptions for 108 receiving yards against the Chiefs. His 11 receptions tied for the third-most by a Brown in a game.

Jeudy is leading the team this season with 70 receptions and a career-high 1,052 receiving yards, while adding four touchdowns. Jeudy joined Amari Cooper (1,160 in 2022) and Odell Beckham Jr. (1,035 in 2019) as the only players in Browns history to record 1,000 receiving yards in their first season with the team.

"Throughout a game, you're always going to find some positives and throughout the course of these games, one thing that has been positive is Myles Garrett and Jerry Jeudy," Winston said. "They're great players and Jerry is an unbelievable receiver. I know he will continue to have success, especially within this offense. He's just a great player who finds a way to get open."

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