Kansas City Chiefs (1) – Cleveland Browns (6) : 22-17
The Browns hoped for the feat, but Chad Henne decided otherwise. Entering late in the game following the concussion suffered by Patrick Mahomes, the veteran went for the victory by converting a fourth attempt on a pass for Tyreek Hill.
Kansas City had taken the lead early in the game but never managed to escape, repeatedly missing the opportunity to make the break. After Mahomes’ exit, Baker Mayfield and his teammates came close to five points, but they did not take advantage of an interception from Henne by stalling on the series that would have given them the advantage. Then, they did not see the ball again.
The key moment: Chad Henne holds on
While they had the game in hand, the Chiefs complicated their lives and got scared at the end of the game. Entered during the game in place of Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne did not shine on his first drive, throwing an ugly interception putting the Browns in position to take control.
But after being put back in the saddle by the defense that forced the punt, Andy Reid and his replacement quarterback had to hold on to keep control of the leather and not give Baker Mayfield one last chance. With more than 4 minutes to play, the game is not going to be easy against the excited Browns. Races, short passes, the stopwatch runs smoothly. It was at this moment that Cleveland through Myles Garrett succeeded in his 1st sack of the meeting. 3rd attempt and 14 yards to go. Chad Henne takes his responsibilities and launches into a ride that brings him a few inches from the 1st down. He cold blooded the 4th attempt by finding Tyreek Hill. The watch may end up running out. The Chiefs are doing well.
.@TonyRomo is LEGENDARY on this call ???? #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0JSzsCYMvR
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021
The movie of the match
Patrick Mahomes (21/30, 255 yards, 1 touchdown) and his team announced the entry color. On the first drive, the Chiefs unwind and go up the field without difficulty. The quarterback concludes himself on the ground to start the night of the outgoing champions. For their second possession, they do not slow down. After a big win from Mecole Hardman, Travis Kelce is in reception and concludes after a dive.
For their part, the Browns cannot keep up. They must be satisfied with a field goal and a punt. But after suffering the storm early in the game, the Ohio defense begins to raise its level of play to finally limit the Chiefs to 3 points.
As half-time approaches, Baker Mayfield (23/37, 204 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) begins to have a hot hand. He finds his targets and his team moves forward. The pitcher finds Higgins who thinks he is going on the touchdown. But it is without counting the return of Sorensen which causes the fumble and allows Kansas City to recover the leather. A godsend for Mahomes, who quickly goes up the field to put Harrison Butker in a position to add 3 more points just before the return to the locker room. 19-3
Ball in hand after the break, Mayfield misses his lead and is intercepted by Tyrann Mathieu. Less bad for his team because Mahomes and his family, despite being well placed, cannot convert the turnover. Butker misses his kick. The Browns are back on the assault and this time things are falling into place. Carried by a hard-hitting Nick Chubb, they finally enter the opposing red zone. Mayfield finds Jarvis Landry for the touchdown.
The meeting changes its physiognomy. Patrick Mahomes, victim of a concussion, is forced to leave. With Chad Henne at the helm, the Chiefs’ attack isn’t as explosive anymore. Once again, they are limited by the defense and are content with a field goal. By dint of scoring points 3 by 3, the Chiefs leave their opponents in the game and hope. After a long drive of 8 minutes where they went up 75 yards, the Browns returned to range through a run from Kareem Hunt. (22-17)
Mahomes withdraws, the Chiefs can always count on Kelce to help the attack. The tight end makes a big gain to put its own in good positions. But Henne spoils the opportunity to shelter his team. He throws a nasty interception in the arms of Karl Joseph. In the money time with possession to gain the advantage for the first time in the game, the Browns do not take advantage. They are forced to punter. Kansas City keeps control of the leather and lets go of the clock. The champion was scared.
The MVP: Travis Kelce
The Chiefs tight end delivered a full game. Always well placed, he was as usual a safety valve for his quarterback, and offered solutions between the lines, even after the exit of Mahomes on concussion. Watched like milk on fire, it always attracts the attention of opposing defenders.
Able to advance on impact and gain valuable yards, he has accumulated 8 receptions, 109yards, 1 touchdown. A major performance in a tighter than expected match.
Travis Kelce, native of Cleveland, for the touchdown of the station wagon ???? the Chiefs are excited
Chiefs 13 – 3 Browns pic.twitter.com/1yR66KUb2O
— TDActu.com – Actu NFL ???? (@TDActu) January 17, 2021
The flop: risking Mahomes’ health
When you have a gem, you don’t make it take unnecessary risks. Even less with the game in hand. Already hit in 1time half-time and limping, Patrick Mahomes had to leave the field in commotion after a ball bearing anything but essential. Groggy and staggering, the quarterback was unable to regain his place and his participation in the conference final is uncertain.
With the exit of their master to play, the Chiefs got in trouble and put Cleveland back in the game. If the defense held, the defending champions got a scare that could have been avoided. Mahomes’ liner blew hot and cold. Throwing an interception reviving the Browns but author of a saving race at the end of the match validating the victory.
The missed opportunity: touchback fumble
After a sluggish start to the game on both sides of the ball, Mayfield and the Browns finally managed to advance as half-time approached. A touchdown now could allow Cleveland to return to the game and approach the second act with full confidence.
The quarterback finds Higgins rushing towards the end zone. The receiver dives to hit the pounder but sees Daniel Sorensen come back from nowhere. The Browns player loses the leather on impact. But as if that were not enough, the ball passes through the end zone before leaving the field. Touchback. The Chiefs recover possession on their 20 yards and go to register 3 more points just before the break.
From potential TD to touchback ????
(via @NFLBrasil) pic.twitter.com/in0mtlXC38
– ESPN (@espn) January 17, 2021
The following
The Chiefs continue on their way to the defense of their title. They will host formidable Bills next Sunday in the AFC conference final. The clash between two explosive attacks promises to be a tantalizing duel.
For Cleveland, after 18 years without the playoffs, this campaign is a success. The beautiful victory at 1is turn to rival Pittsburgh was the icing on the cake. The team has yet to continue to grow to compete with the best teams in its conference.
