5 reasons 2021 Cleveland Browns will shock Chiefs in Week 1

1. Cleveland Browns: Re-vamped defense

The Browns overhauled their defense during the offseason after a nightmarish scenario in which Chad Henne beat the entire defensive line and linebacking corps to make a crucial first down in the divisional playoff round.

Cleveland addressed this problem by replacing both defensive tackles, while adding Jadeveon Clowney at defensive end.

General manager Andrew Berry shored up the secondary by drafting Greg Newsome in the first round of the draft, and then adding key free agents John Johnson III and Troy Hill via free agency.

He also came away from the draft with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a player projected to go in the first, but fell to Cleveland late in the second.

While the defense is improved, no one is counting on them to play like the ’85 Bears. With the flick of a wrist, Patrick Mahomes can make any defense look foolish.

But if the Browns can force some timely turnovers and get off the field on 3rd down just enough, then the opportunity will be there for Kevin Stefanski’s offense to keep pace.