Browns at Chiefs instant analysis: Cade York's late kick blocked as Browns fall to Chiefs

Story by

Story by
Browns at Chiefs instant analysis: Cade York's late kick blocked as Browns fall to Chiefs

Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Sat, Aug 26, 2023 ·

15 min read

About Our Ads

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's on to Cincinnati. Well, not to Cincinnati itself, but to the season opener against the Bengals.

The Browns wrapped up the preseason on Saturday afternoon against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs , falling 33-32.

The preseason finale gave the Browns a little bit of everything, good, bad and ugly. It started with the ugly of Jakeem Grant Sr. suffering a significant knee injury on the opening kickoff return.

It ended with Cade York kicking for the lead and, likely, his job with 57 seconds remaining. The 43-yard field goal, though, was blocked by Kansas City's Phil Hoskins .

York, who gave the Browns a 32-29 lead with 4:19 remaining, was 4 of 8 on field goals in the preseason. He missed 40-plus-yard tries each of the last two preseason games that would've given the Browns the lead with less than two minutes remaining.

For the record, the Browns finish the preseason, which started with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3, with a 1-2-1 record. None of that matters now as their attention turns to the Sept. 10 season opener against the Bengals.

Outside of the two joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles , Kansas City was the most extensive playing time the top of the Browns depth chart will get against someone other than themselves before the opener against the Bengals. Head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't give away the exact plan for playing time heading into Saturday's game, be he did say earlier in the week that "20-to-25 plays" was the expectation.

Turns out, it would be a total of 18 plays, or the duration of the first quarter, that quarterback Deshaun Watson played. He acknowledged earlier this week that even while with the Houston Texans he rarely saw that many snaps in the exhibition season.

That's good for the Browns, who need to get the offense tuned up in order to be ready for the high-octane Bengals, whether or not Joe Burrow is 100%. It also won't hurt to let as much of the starting defense as possible loose for one last trial run in new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's scheme, whether or not it's the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Mahomes or Shane Buechele .

Regardless, follow along here throughout Saturday afternoon's game for updates and instant analysis as the Browns tune up against the Super Bowl champions.

Harrison Butker gives Chiefs lead, sets up last-minute drama

The Chiefs answered the Browns' field goal with a 44-yard Harrison Butker 44-yard field goal. The kick gave Kansas City a 33-32 lead with 1:48 remaining in the game.

The kick capped a seven-play, 49-yard drive.

Cade York gives Cleveland Browns lead in the fourth quarter

Cade York's leg was always going to make an appearance in the fourth quarter of preseason finale. Sure enough, it did, as York made a 40-yard field goal with 4:19 remaining to give the Browns a 32-30 lead over the Chiefs.

The play before, Austin Watkins Jr. nearly made another spectacular catch in the end zone on a 22-yard pass from Kellen Mond . Instad, it fell incomplete, allowing York the opportunity to try his first field goal of the game.

Rookie defensive tackle Siaki Ika injured in fourth quarter

The rash of Browns players heading to the medical tent in the preseason finale continued with 11:49 remaining in the fourth quarter as rookie defensive tackle Siaki Ika went down. He spent a few minutes being tended to by trainers while on the field before walking off the field and to the medical tent.

Ika did return to the bench after coming out of the tent. He spent some time talking with defensive line coach Ben Bloom, looking over pictures from the previous defensive series.

There was no immediate word on the nature of the injury or Ika's status.

Kansas City Chiefs take 30-29 lead over Cleveland Browns after three quarters

The Chiefs held a 30-29 lead over the Browns at the end of the third quarter. They will start the fourth with a first down at their own 36.

Kansas City has outgained the Browns 341-220 in total yards. The Chiefs also have a 264-189 net passing yards edge.

Kellen Mond takes over, throws pick that turns into Chiefs TD

Kellen Mond came on to replace Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback on the Browns' second third-quarter possession. On his third play, Mond tried to throw into a window with four Chiefs defenders and was intercepted by Dicaprio Bootle , who returned it to the Browns 26.

Three plays later, Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun hit tight end Matt Bushman for an 11-yard touchdown with 3:30 left in the third quarter. The score, plus a PAT kick by safety Justin Reid , gave Kansas City a 30-29 lead.

For the record, Thompson-Robinson was 7 of 12 for 92 yards in his quarter-plus of work at quarterback.

Fourth-down Browns flag turns into Kansas City Chiefs TD pass

The Browns thought they had gotten off the field when Caleb Biggers and Matthews Adams combined to break up a pass intended for the Chiefs' Ihmir Smith-Marsette on fourth-and-3 form the Cleveland 48. However, Biggers was flagged for pass interference, giving the Chiefs new life.

On the very next play, Smith-Marsette streaked down the field, splitting between cornerback A.J. Green and safety D'Anthony Bell for a 43-yard touchdown. The score pulled Kansas City within 29-23 with 5:59 remaining in the third quarter.

Tony Fields II returns to the game after concussion evaluation

The Browns were concerned about potentially losing another linebacker to injury when Tony Fields II left right before halftime to be evaluated for a concussion. It turns out, it was merely a scare.

Fields was back on the field for the Browns when the second half began. The Browns forced a three-and-out on the possession.

Caleb Biggers gives Browns second pick-6, halftime lead

The Browns' defense has scored as many touchdowns as the Browns' offense in the first half. The second Cleveland defensive score came with 28 seconds remaining in the half, when cornerback Caleb Biggers caught a pass that went off the hands of tight end Matt Bushman and returned it 27 yards for the touchdown.

Cade York knocked through the PAT kick for a 29-16 Browns lead. York had initially injured his shin when he was run into by a Chiefs defender on the try after Juan Thornhill 's pick-6 gave the Browns their first score.

La'Michal Perine takes short pass for Kansas City Chiefs TD

The Chiefs added a second second-quarter touchdown when La'Michal Perine caught a short Blaine Gabbert pass and ran 20 yards for the score. Browns cornerback Lorenzo Burns broke up a 2-point conversion pass to keep the Cleveland lead at 22-156 with 1:39 remaining.

Sam Kamara , Browns defensive end, was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play.

Trainers take Tony Fields II to locker room late in first half

The Browns lost one linebacker in the first quarter when Jordan Kunaszyk suffered a knee injury and was ruled out. They lost another one late in the second quarter when Tony Fields II left the game with a possible concussion.

Fields spent a lengthy amount of time in the medical tent before eventually walking out with trainers. He went to the locker room.

Deshaun Watson's day is done after one quarter

Watson gave way to rookie backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the Browns first second-quarter possession with 12:06 left. Watson was 5 of 10 for 92 yards passing, including a 10-yard touchdown to David Njoku .

The Browns starting quarterback finished with 18 offensive plays officially. He also ran three times for one net yard.

Shane Buchele finds Justyn Ross for Chiefs TD

The Chiefs got their first touchdown of the game when Shane Buchele hit a 3-yard fade to Justyn Ross with 12:13 remaining in the second quarter. Ross caught the pass while being covered by Lorenzo Burns, as the Browns started the drive with their second unit in on defense.

Harrison Butker's PAT kick made it 22-10 Browns.

Cleveland Browns take 22-3 lead after first quarter over Kansas City Chiefs

The Browns outgained the Chiefs 121-92 in total yards. They had 92 passing yards to the Chiefs' 60.

Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper set up John Kelly Jr. TD run

Watson's ability to extend plays helped to set up the Browns for their third first-quarter touchdown. On second-and-11 from the Browns 24, Watson had to roll out to his left to get away from a bit of Chiefs pressure.

Amari Cooper was able to break free down the left sideline, and Watson hit him in stride. The 53-yard gain would put the Browns deep in Chiefs territory, with John Kelly Jr. scoring on a 2-yard run to make it 22-3 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

Jordan Kunaszyk out with knee injury; Jordan Elliott questionable with hip injury

The Browns announced that linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk will not return after sustaining a knee injury. The injury occurred on the kickoff after the touchdown.

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is questionable to return with a hip injury. He started, but did not play after the first series.

Deshaun Watson and David Njoku turn second Chiefs pick into Browns TD

The Browns have turned two Shane Buechele interceptions into a 15-3 lead with 6:56 remaining in the first quarter.

The next possession after Juan Thornhill's pick-6, Browns safety Rodney McLeod came up with an interception. The ball was jarred loose from the receiver by cornerback Martin Emerson Jr., with McLeod getting the pick.

The Browns started at the Chiefs 16 and went to work from there. The final 10 yards came on a pass from Watson to David Njoku, with York coming back from the shin injury to make the PAT kick.

Cade York warming up again after leg injury

Cade York was injured on the point-after kick when the Chiefs' Jaylen Watson ran into his right leg. The kicker was down for some time before limping off the field.

After a time in the medical tent, York came back out and remained on the sideline. He went down to the kicking net to warm up.

Happy homecoming for Juan Thornhill with pick-6 against Chiefs

Juan Thornhill was part of a pair of Super Bowl championship teams with the Chiefs, including last season. He signed with the Browns during the first week of free agency in March.

Thornhill's first game back in Kansas City featured him giving the Browns a first quarter lead when he intercepted backup quarterback Shane Buechele and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown with 8:36 remaining in the quarter The Browns would take an 8-3 lead when they got a 2-point conversion run from Jordan Wilkins after a missed Cade York point-after kick.

Za'Darius Smith, Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II start for Browns defense

The Browns went with mostly their starting 11 on defense, save for Myles Garrett, against the Chiefs:

DE: Za'Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo
DTs: Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Elliott
LBs: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Kunaszyk
S: Juan Thornhill, Rodney, McLeod
CBs: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr.

Deshaun Watson fumbles handoff exchange to set up Chiefs field goal

Watson's first pass was a laser on second down to Donovan Peoples-Jones for 21 yards to the Browns 44. Two plays later, though, the quarterback turned the ball over when he muffed a handoff to running back Jordan Wilkins.

The ball gave the Chiefs great starting field position at the Browns 42. They would get to the Cleveland 14, where Harrison Butker made a 32-yard field goal for a 3-0 Kansas City lead with 10:58 left in the first quarter.

Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Jack Conklin among Browns starting offense

The Browns started the following 11 on offense against the Kansas City Chiefs:

QB: Deshaun Watson
RB: Jordan Wilkins
WRs: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones
TEs: David Njoku, Jordan Akins
LT: Jedrick Wills Jr.
LG: Michael Dunn
C: Ethan Pocic
RG: Wyatt Teller
RT: Jack Conklin

Jakeem Grant Sr. hurts knee on opening kickoff return

Jakeem Grant Sr. was trying to work his way back from an Achilles tear he suffered last August. He seemed poised to potentially win a job on the roster as the return man.

On the opening kickoff of Saturday's game, Grant brought the kick out of the end zone to the Browns 18. However, he was injured on the play.

Grant was carted off the field with what was reported to the media as a knee injury. He had an air cast on his right leg when he left the field.

No Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce against the Cleveland Browns

The Chiefs' two biggest stars were always viewed as longshots to play in the preseason finale. However, it seems like it's a lock that neither quarterback Patrick Mahomes nor tight end Travis Kelce will play in the game.

Kelce wasn't even in uniform for Kansas City while they went through warmups. While Mahomes did go through a portion of warm-ups, he didn't when it got to the offensive team portion.

NFL Network's James Palmer reported those two, along with linebacker Nick Bolton and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, would not play.

Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore expected to play; Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio, Myles Garrett aren't

Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore are expected to be among Watson's available receiving targets against the Chiefs. However, Watson's not expected to have Nick Chubb to hand off to or Joel Bitonio to block for him.

Myles Garrett is also not expected to play for the Browns. Those three All-Pros, though, are expected to go through warmups at least.

The Browns are currently listing 12 players as those who will not dress. Most of them are due to injuries.

Among the most notable is the cornerbacks duo of Mike Ford Jr. and Cameron Mitchell, arguably the fifth and sixth corners on the team. Jaelon Darden, who returned to practice this week, also is not dressed.

Jerome Ford remains out with a hamstring injury. That makes Jordan Wilkins the likely starter at running back.

The complete list of those not dressing are as follows:

10 WR Anthony Scwartz
12 WR Mike Woods II
16 WR Jaelon Darden
19 WR Marquise Goodwin
28 CB Mike Ford Jr.
29 CB Cameron Mitchell
34 RB Jerome Ford
58 DE Isaiah Thomas
67 G Wes Martin
70 G Drew Forbes
88 TE Harrison Bryant
91 DE Alex Wright

How to watch and listen to the Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs

The game will be broadcast in Northeast Ohio on WEWS-TV (Channel 5). Chris Rose (play-by-play), newly-enshrined Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas (analyst) and Aditi Kinkhabwala (sideline reporter) will be the broadcast crew.

The NFL Network will also be carrying a simulcast of the Kansas City TV feed live. Ari Wolfe (play-by-play), Trent Green (analyst), Kimmi Chex (sideline reporter) and Matt McMullen (sideline report) will be the broadcast crew.

The Cleveland Browns Radio Network will carry the game, with Jim Donovan (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (analyst) and Je'Rod Cherry (sideline reporter) on the call. Among the affiliates in the Akron-Canton area are WAKR-AM 1590, WONE-FM 97.5, WHBC-AM 1480, WQKT-FM 104.5, WKRK-FM 92.3, WKNR-AM 850 and WNCX-FM 98.5.

Browns-Chiefs odds, money line, over/under

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4 p.m. ET, Friday.

Moneyline (ML):Browns -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Chiefs +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
Against the spread:Browns -3.5 (-110) | Chiefs +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U):41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 preseason

The Cleveland Browns are 1-1-1 in this year's preseason. They defeated the New York Jets 21-16 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton on Aug. 3 before losing 17-15 to the Washington Commanders on Aug. 3 and tying the Philadelphia Eagles 18-18 on Aug. 17. They will open the regular season on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs are 1-1 in this year's preseason. They lost 26-24 at the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 13 before beating the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 last Saturday. They will open the regular season on Sept. 7 at 8:20 p.m. against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns vs. Chiefs game score and updates from NFL preseason Week 4

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: