Browns Playoffs: 3 keys to dethroning the Kansas City Chiefs

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate after a 37-21 win over the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate after a 37-21 win over the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball for a touchdown as he is hit by linebacker Jovan Belcher #59 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball for a touchdown as he is hit by linebacker Jovan Belcher #59 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /

Run the ball to control the clock

They say the best defense is making sure the opposing team doesn’t get to play offense. At least that is what’s said around Berea. The Browns are coming into this game without many guys on defense worth their weight. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are really good when they’re healthy, except, neither man is.

The Browns are going to have a hard time limiting the Chiefs from scoring. Patrick Mahomes is a dynamo on the field and his eight turnovers are among the fewest committed in the league. It’s not like he’s in his own league, however, as Mayfield only has 12 turnovers on the season. Both quarterbacks protect the ball well, and that’s going to be key. Protecting the ball. The Browns need to make sure to put the pressure on the Chiefs as early and often as possible. That means putting together drives that eat up the clock and end in scores.

The best way to do such a thing is to give the ball to Nick Chubb 25+ times and make sure the clock is as depleted as possible before putting the Chiefs back on the field. You can’t rely on your defense to create five turnovers this week, so you have to find things to actually control, like how much time you use.