Can the Browns go to Kansas City and win? Well … maybe? – Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – I speak to myself as the Browns play Sunday in Kansas City:

QUESTION: What’s your prediction?

REPLY: Just like that? No game discussion?

Question: Let’s go: the winner, the score.

A: You realize this is probably the toughest game on the Browns calendar.

Question: There, no surprise.

A: How about Kansas City going 10-0 in September with Patrick Mahomes at QB.

Question: Do you say 10-0?

A: Not only 10-0, but he threw 32 touchdown passes without interception in those games on September 10.

Question: Can this be true?

A: Yeah. Ten and zero. Thirty-two touchdown passes, no interceptions.

Q: And the Browns have won only one opener since their return in 1999?

A: Defeating Baltimore 20-3 in 2004. Jeff Garcia was Cleveland’s QB and it was the highlight of his only season with an orange helmet. The Browns were 4-12.

Question: Why raise this?

A: OK, I’ll mention what Mahomes said at his recent press conference: “If you’re not ready for the season opener, especially when you’re playing at home, I don’t know what’s going to happen. prepare yourself. “

Question: Did Mahomes say something about the Browns?

A: He called them “a very good football team. It will be a great test for us to see where we are.

Question: So who wins?

A: Here’s how the Browns can win – put the pressure on Mahomes. The Chiefs have a whole new offensive line. Guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long in addition to center Creed Humphrey are starting their first games in the NFL. With the Browns adding defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite Pro Bowler Myles Garrett, the Browns should be able to make an impact in passing situations. Additionally, defensive coordinator Joe Woods received more speed in his defense with signings from Anthony Walker, John Johnson III and Troy Hill. They also wrote CB Greg Newsome II and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Let’s see some blitz.

Question: Do you think they will win?

A: The offensive lines need time to develop. A year ago, the Browns started with two new tackles – Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. They also had Wyatt Teller on guard, who hasn’t played much in 2019. The line has played well in a few games. But they had veteran center JC Tretter and goaltender Joel Bitonio back to anchor the line. Everyone with the chefs is new.

Question: Do you feel good about the game?

A: The Browns can score on these guys. But they can’t go out and obsess over the passes. In the 22-17 playoff loss to the Chiefs last year, the Browns ran the ball 19 times for 101 yards, a healthy 5.1. Baker Mayfield had 23 passes for 37, 203 yards. Sometimes they seemed to forget about Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Question: But it’s tough to keep running the ball when Kansas City keeps scoring.

A: That will be the challenge. Much like this 10-0 record shows how Andy Reid and his team prepared his team with new things never seen the year before. But I also trust Kevin Stefanski and his staff to have their own surprises.

Question: Why did you rate the importance of this game as a “1” on a scale of 1 to 5 on a recent Browns podcast with “5” being very important?

A: Because it’s the first game. Crazy things are happening in the openers. I also know that if the Browns are crushed by the Chiefs, the national media will label them as “impostors” and “frauds” in terms of the bigger picture. But they will bounce back.

Question: What if they win?

A: National media will bring the Browns into the Super Bowl on Monday. Either way, it will be a wild overreaction.

Question: Enough already, what’s going on?

A: The Chiefs win, 35-32. But whatever happens, Browns fans shouldn’t worry. They have a good team to follow.

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