Browns can lighten up against Chiefs

Expectations are much lower now for the Browns than the last time they played a home game.

Expectations are much lower now for the Browns than the last time they played a home game, and maybe that will turn out to be a good thing.

The Browns host the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. Nov. 4 at FirstEnergy Stadium in a game no one outside of their locker room believes they have a realistic chance of winning. It is a sharp contrast from Oct. 14, when they carried a 2-2-1 record into a home game with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Instead of beating the Chargers to prove they were for real, the Browns were crushed, 3814. It was a sobering defeat that began a three-game losing streak which ultimately led to Hue Jackson being fired as head coach and Todd Haley being fired as offensive coordinator.

The Browns, 8.5-point underdogs, can go into the game with the high-octane Chiefs loose, but still with something to prove in their first game under interim coach Gregg Williams. They still believe the season can be salvaged despite being firmly entrenched in the basement of the AFC North.

“I don’t think we’re giving up,” left guard Joel Bitonio said, referring to the coaching change. “I think this is a step to improve the team. We made a decision early in the season, but we have half of the season left. We’re a few plays here or there from being 5-2-1, 4-3-1. We’re not far away.”

Williams is continuing his role as defensive coordinator. He is trying to get the Browns’

offense to take his fiery personality. The defense has that attitude, but it hasn’t always produced positive results.

The Browns have given up more than 24 points in four of their five losses. They have given up 12 touchdowns on the ground and 11 through the air. The Chiefs will challenge them with the highest

scoring offense in the AFC.

“Very explosive, starting with guys like (Chiefs wide receiver) Tyreek Hill,” cornerback Denzel Ward said. “Everything runs through their quarterback (Patrick Mahomes). We have to find a way to slow those guys down. They are definitely a great looking team.”