5 reasons Cleveland Browns can upset Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Takeaways can help

Patrick Mahomes is the first-half MVP, but he’s going to have to compete against a defense that does one thing very well: Take the ball away.

Denzel Ward just turned in his first shaky game of the season, compliments of Antonio Brown, but overall, Ward’s been one of the better cover corners in the NFL as a rookie.

There’s also a chance Cleveland could get veteran E.J. Gaines back, who’s been out with a concussion. Adding Gaines back into the fold would allow T.J. Carrie to move back into the slot while Damarious Randall moves back to predominantly playing safety.

Cleveland has 22 takeaways on the year with 12 coming via interception and 10 coming by way of fumble. Mahomes is going to sling the ball around. He’s only turned the ball over six times, so it’s not like he gives it away, but the Browns’ secondary will have a chance to make plays.

Now there’s another side to the coin here. The Browns have been atrocious at scoring after creating takeaways. The offense will have to cash in on the defense’s success.