NFL Game of the Week: Chiefs vs. Browns
Following what was a rather grotesque and uncertain season in 2020, the NFL is back and ready for action as Week 1 gives us several highly touted matchups in what begins a newly implemented 17-game season format.
Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season kicks off on Thursday in an NFC matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it isn’t until Sunday, Sept. 12, that the highly anticipated CommRadio NFL Game of the Week between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs kicks off.
It’s very hard to put anyone over the Chiefs this year. While they were defeated by the underdog Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, that doesn’t change the fact that Kansas City is coming off a league best 14-2 record while having led the league in total offense.
The front office in Kansas City was nothing short of active this offseason, as they added tons of depth in several areas, including what was a very shaky offensive line and an average defense that ranked dead middle in team totals.
Perhaps the bigger end of the hype stick can be accredited to the Cleveland Browns, as this season marks the first one in about 20 years where the organization is believed to have a chance to contend.
The Browns ended the season in the last Wild Card spot posting a 11-5 record, putting them in the middle of the pack in both total offense and defense, however, this doesn’t tell the whole story.
Cleveland came up short of a win in the AFC Divisional Round of playoffs, but after a very productive offseason they are headed into 2021 with a plethora of new defensive backs, and two new defensive ends including Jadeveon Clowney, who, although has his injury troubles, will be very productive if healthy.
Aside from the defense, Andrew Berry and the front office made it a point to bring back key offensive roles, including a confident Baker Mayfield, a more than sufficient running back in Nick Chubb, a finally healthy Odell Beckham Jr., while sticking with their already dynamic offensive line.
A stacked offense led by Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Tyreek Hill will have to live up to expectations to beat this up-and-coming Cleveland Browns squad. But for a highly anticipated offensive game in a very loud Arrowhead Stadium, don’t be surprised if defense is the story of this one.
A week one nail biter might be in order for a game as important and early as this one.
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 21, Cleveland Browns 17
Chris Clark is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cac6837@psu.edu.
