Browns vs. Chiefs: Writers predictions ahead of historically one-sided AFC matchup

The world has changed since the Cleveland Browns last defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams’ starting quarterbacks in that game, Brady Quinn and Brandon Weeden, retired from playing many years ago. The respective coaching staffs are long gone. Kansas City’s 30-7 loss on that day in 2012 dropped them to 2-11, one step closer to securing the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Those were dark days to be a Chiefs fan.

Thankfully, that was the franchise's low point this century, and they haven’t looked back since. Kansas City is powering through the 2024 season in pursuit of a historic three-peat as Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs clinched their ninth consecutive AFC West title last week and have the AFC’s top playoff seed squarely in their sights.

Meanwhile, the hosting Browns might be the best 3-10 team in the league, led by cult hero quarterback Jameis Winston. Cleveland has managed wins over strong division foes like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens this season but remains buried in the AFC North basement.

A team with nothing to lose is a dangerous one in the NFL, particularly against a Chiefs squad with a knack for playing close games. Kansas City’s one-score wins this season have become a hallmark, often featuring Hollywood-worthy endings. While these nail-biters have elevated fans’ blood pressure, the steady accumulation of wins makes every stress-filled moment worthwhile.

As the Chiefs head into a grueling stretch of their schedule, the trip to Travis Kelce’s hometown adds a sentimental layer to this matchup. Will Kansas City take care of business in Cleveland, or will the Browns deliver a surprising upset? The Arrowhead Addict team weighs in.

Patrick Allen
Cleveland is frisky and its offense has been more dangerous with Jameis Winston throwing the rock. If KC can contain Jerry Jeudy, who has built a growing rapport with Winston, KC should roll. Winston is a gunslinger and will give the struggling KC secondary chances at interceptions. They need to catch them. The Chiefs should be able to move the ball on the Browns' defense, especially if they stick to the run which will help neutralize Myles Garrett. This is a dangerous game for the Chiefs, but they should get it done. Again.
Chiefs 24, Browns 23

Matt Conner
This is the get-right game. This is the game that Pacheco and Hunt look like a murderous stampede. This is the game that Worthy connects deep to and looks more like the part than ever. This is the game that Mahomes finds Hopkins, Kelce, and Gray with such regularity that the veteran chemistry feels automatic. This is the game in which non-Chiefs fans will cry foul about the unfairness of adding Hollywood Brown to the future mix.
Chiefs 35, Browns 17

Braden Holecek
D.J. Humphries' availability will be fascinating to monitor with Myles Garrett on the opposing pass rush. Can the Chiefs control the game offensively and possibly provide some balance on the road? If so, Kansas City could come extremely close to clinching the one seed in the AFC with whom some other top AFC teams face. In the end, Kansas City cannot get sucked into a sloppy game when Jameis Winston is involved on the other end. The Chiefs need to play as cleanly as possible offensively.
Chiefs 29, Browns 21

Jacob Milham
It feels the Chiefs have needed teams to beat themselves on occasion this season, and the Browns are a perfect team to do that. Steve Spagnuolo's pass rush should be overly aggressive, pressuring Winston and protecting the defensive back corps. Mahomes has cleaned up his act across the last six games, while Kelce has gained momentum alongside his quarterback. Injuries will hurt Cleveland, but we saw what a hobbled Chargers team did last week. Buckle up for another week of frustrating play calling, but the inevitable Chiefs win.
Chiefs 20, Browns 17

Greg Morse
The Kansas City Chiefs and their plethora of wacky endings meet the most lovable and quirky QB in the league with Cleveland’s Jameis Winston. What could go wrong? Knowing the Chiefs, probably everything. But they’ll still win in the end. Then we’ll all turn our attention to the Bills and Steelers games. Let’s go NFC!
Chiefs 26, Browns 24

Shawn O'Brate
Man, the Chiefs keep finding ways to win. Despite their left tackle situation finding even more adversity, their defense bending (but not breaking) on third downs consistently, and Mahomes getting hit a dozen times a game, it feels like they still win. That won’t change this Sunday against the Browns either, even with a question at LT and a secondary that is bound to make Jameis Winston look like he did back at FSU. The Chiefs don’t look comfortable (yet) but still edge out a victory.
Chiefs 24, Browns 20

Charles Robinson
Not long ago, Patrick Mahomes was one of the most beloved players in the NFL. Now, since the big bad Chiefs have done nothing but win despite calls from internet prognosticators that they are "mid at best," Mahomes has somehow become a referee-hypnotizing crybaby. So we have the league's most hated QB (Mahomes) squaring off against it's darling, the man who the Lord delivered from pick 6's last week. Jameis Winston. The Chiefs' much-maligned secondary could get a confidence boost from playing the Browns if Winston's spirit of giving arrives early this holiday season. I expect a lot of 3 tight end sets to help offset the massive disadvantage any tackle on the Chiefs roster will face against Myles Garrett. Another ho-hum, one-score win.
Chiefs 23, Browns 17

Stacy D. Smith
The Kansas City Chiefs gained ground in their race to secure the top seed in the AFC last week. Unfortunately, they'll head into a road game with Cleveland without their new starting left tackle, D.J. Humphries. That's awful news with Myles Garrett looming for likely replacement Wanya Morris. The Chiefs will struggle to protect, and that will mean offensive inconsistency and tough time-sustaining drives. Another area they've struggled in is creating turnovers defensively. Fortunately for them, Browns' QB Jameis Winston has been generous in his last three outings, having turned the ball over seven times. Kansas City snags one of their own Sunday, Reid uncharacteristically relies on a successful ground game, and the good guys eke out their 13th win of the season.
Chiefs 20, Browns 17

Lucas Strozinsky
Literally anything is on the table for this game. Jameis Winston could throw four picks and the Chiefs win by three touchdowns, or Jameis throws for nearly 500 yards again and the Chiefs fall to 12-2. I'm curious to see how the Chiefs will barely win this week.
Chiefs 23, Browns 22