Here’s the first thing you should know about Sunday’s AFC playoff game between the Browns to face the Chiefs: The Browns are the most personable team in these NFL playoffs.
The Browns stay alive the postseason for the first time since 2002 after raiding the favorite Steelers in Pittsburgh last Sunday – coach Kevin Stefanski watched from his basement in Ohio after testing positive for COVID-19.
The Browns missed indispensable attacking coach Bill Callahan and several key players for their first playoff win since 1994, also because of the virus.
In Stefanski, a rookie head coach who led Cleveland to a 12-5 record , The Browns have the latest in a line of young coaches who are making success as first-time visitors to the NFL. He’s pushed all the right buttons this season and has proven himself to be unwavering, despite adverse circumstances and for his players to relate.
« In terms of leadership, I feel like you have a chance as long as you use it are themselves, « said Stefanski.
» People don’t follow false leaders, « said Brown’s quarterback Baker Mayfield. “You can see if you have a group of men doing this and everyone is counting on you, you can sniff someone who is fake extremely quickly. That is not the case here. “
Mayfield himself is part of the great Browns story after relaunching his career this season after a disappointing 2019 when it looked like he was stepping back from his rookie year.
Mayfield stepped off 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions last season with a pass rating of 78.8 on 26 TDs on only eight INTs and a rating of 95.9 this season. Coming up on Sunday after throwing three TD passes without INT in a wildcard win against the Steelers, he’s driving a five-game run with no selection.
« He’s motivated, he wants to be great, he has made great strides, « said head coach Andy Reid.
» He ground this team to get a win in every possible way, « said Stefanski. “He did that this season. He’s on time, off schedule and has a great feel for the game plan and a great feel for the opponent. I think you’re just seeing a continuation of the things he’s been doing all season. “
The way Mayfield has played this season, he will still be the second best quarterback on the field compared to his Kansas City counterpart Patrick Mahomes, who has been virtually the most prolific passer in the game since becoming a starter was.
« Baker always has this outsider mentality, and I’m sure that’s what he’s got on right now, » said Browns, who ran back to Nick Chubb. “He wants to go out and prove himself even more. He’s the winner. «
So did Mahomes, who finished second in the NFL with 4,740 yards and fourth with 38 TD passes despite having missed week 17. He has 13 TDs without INTs in four postseason starts at Arrowhead Stadium and has at least two TD thrown passes in four consecutive postseason games, including the Super Bowl triumph in Kansas City last February.
A few things to consider with the Chiefs (14-2): As number 1 in the AFC had them off last week and because they rested a number of their key starters, including Mahomes, in week 17, those players will have gone three weeks without a game, so rust could be a factor.
The Chiefs too had a relatively straightforward schedule this season as they only faced four teams making the playoffs – the Ravens, Bills, Buccaneers and Saints.
The Browns meanwhile played seven games against playoff teams 4-3 Browns are featured this season 6-3 on the way.
« It’s all a trickle, » said Brown’s linebacker and former Giant B.J. Goodson. “Stefanski, he never panicked during our season trip. He stayed the course and we are here. “
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