Chiefs (7-1) at Browns (2-5-1)
T .... Pittsburgh .... 21-21 (OT) L .... at New Orleans .... 21-18 W ......... N.Y. Jets ......... 21-17 L ...at Oakland ... 45-42 (OT) W ..... Baltimore ..... 12-9 (OT) L ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 38-14 L .at Tampa Bay .26-23 (OT) L ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 33-18 Nov. 4 ....... Kansas City ....... 1 Nov. 11 .......... Atlanta .......... 1 Nov. 18 ............... Bye .............. Nov. 25 ..... at Cincinnati ..... 1 Dec. 2 ........ at Houston ........ 1 Dec. 9 .......... Carolina .......... 1 Dec. 15 .... at Denver .... TBD Dec. 23 ........ Cincinnati ........ 1 Dec. 30 ..... at Baltimore ..... 1
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 8
Chiefs’ keys to victory: The biggest challenge for the Chiefs is to not get lulled into a false sense of security as heavy favorites on the road. Their high-powered offense, led by QB Patrick Mahomes and RB Kareem Hunt, can win on the ground or through the air. Protecting Mahomes from a strong Browns pass rush and keeping the young defense off-balance with a mix of runs and passes should keep coach Andy Reid’s offense humming nicely. Defensively, the Chiefs must tackle well. It sounds elementary, but sure tackling has been an issue for them all season.
Browns’ keys to victory: The Browns fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is interim head coach, while running backs and associate head coach Freddie Kitchens becomes offensive coordinator. No team scores fewer points than Cleveland in the first quarter, and no team gets off to better starts than the Chiefs. Getting RB Duke Johnson more involved could help spark QB Baker Mayfield to a quicker start. Rookie LT Desmond Harrison must fare well in pass protection to give Mayfield time to find TE David Njoku down the field. DE Myles Garrett has been tough but needs help from his defensive cohorts.
Matchup to watch: Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill vs. Browns CB Denzel Ward. Hill is an electrifying playmaker with speed to burn, but Ward is a leading defensive rookie of the year candidate.
Who wins? The Chiefs have too many ways to beat a Browns team that too often beats itself.
Chiefs, 37-21 Chiefs