Turnovers by Jameis Winston, others doom Cleveland Browns in loss to Kansas City Chiefs

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Turnovers by Jameis Winston, others doom Cleveland Browns in loss to Kansas City Chiefs

Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Sun, Dec 15, 2024 ·

16 min read

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CLEVELAND — The Browns have no chance at winning the Super Bowl. They had a chance to beat the team that's won the last two Super Bowls this afternoon.

That was a chance, though, they threw away in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs .

The Browns (3-11) committed six turnovers, including three interceptions by quarterback Jameis Winston , who has eight interceptions in the last three games and was pulled with 7:57 remaining in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson .

Winston was 16-of-25 passing for 146 yards with three interceptions and a 40.2 passer rating. Thompson-Robinson was 4 of 9 for 12 yards, an interception and a 12.0 passer rating.

Two of those turnovers set up the Chiefs (13-1) with short fields early in each half. James Proche II fumbled a punt the first time Cleveland was supposed to get the ball, and Winston threw a first-play pick to open the third quarter.

Those two turnovers set up two Chiefs scoring drives that combined for seven plays and 55 yards. Their other touchdown drive was a 14-play, 87-yard march to give them a 14-0 halftime lead.

The Browns, to add injury to insult, lost running back Nick Chubb to a foot injury and cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. to a head injury. Defensive end Myles Garrett also left for a few minutes with an eye injury, but returned before halftime.

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy did become the third Browns wide receiver to gain 1,000 yards in his first season with the team. He had 11 catches on 14 targets for 108 yards, giving him 1,052 yards for the season, his first 1,000-yard receiving season.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was 19-of-38 passing for 159 yards with two touchdowns and a 78.7 rating, He was replacing in the fourth quarter by Carson Wentz as a precaution after an ankle injury.

Here's how a disappointing day on the lakefront developed for the Browns:

Carson Wentz replaces Patrick Mahomes at quarterback for Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have made a quarterback change to keep Patrick Mahomes from any further injury. Carson Wentz came on with 5:23 remaining after Mahomes limped off the field at the end of the previous possession.

Mahomes, who was listed as questionable to return with an ankle injury, was 19 of 38 for 159 yards with two touchdowns and a 78.7 passer rating.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaces Jameis Winston as Cleveland Browns QB

The Browns made a quarterback change with 7:57 remaining when Dorian Thompson-Robinson came in to replace Jameis Winston.

Winston was 16 of 25 for 146 yards and three interceptions before being removed. Thompson-Robinson was 2 of 3 for minus-1 yards on his first series, with a fourth-down completion wiped out by a penalty.

Patrick Mahomes shaken up after failed fourth-down pass

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes came up limping severely after his fourth-and-3 pass fell incomplete from the Browns 39. Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson has Mahomes around the waist as he threw, and he was then hit high by defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr.

Mahomes has his ankle taped up on the Chiefs bench.

Jameis Winston gives away another Browns opportunity with another interception

Jameis Winston's third interception of the game spoiled another Browns opportunity. This one, by Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie , came as Winston was trying to throw into tight coverage to Michael Woods II on the right side of the end zone.

It was the second interception Winston has thrown in the end zone in the game. It's also his third three-interception game since taking over in Week 8.

Winston has 12 interceptions for the season.

End 3rd quarter: Kansas City Chiefs 21, Cleveland Browns 7

The Browns trail the Chiefs by 14 with 15 minutes remaining. The Browns will start the fourth quarter with the ball at their own 33.

Jerome Ford gets loose for 62-yard Cleveland Browns TD

Jerome Ford put the Browns on the board with a 62-yard touchdown run. The run cut the deficit to 21-7 with 3:16 remaining in the third quarter.

Ford initially ran up the middle before bouncing it outside to the right. Once he got outside, there was no one to stop him on his way to the end zone.

Nick Chubb walks to locker room with injury

Browns running back Nick Chubb limped off the field with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. After a stay in the medical tent, he walked to the locker room with training staff.

The Browns announced Chubb has a foot injury. His return is questionable.

Jerry Jeudy clears 1,000 yards receiving for 1st time in career

Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career with a 20-yard reception with 9:20 remaining in the third quarter. That pushed his total to 1,015 yards for the season.

Jeudy caught a 10-yard pass on the next play to make it 1,025 yards for the season. He has seven catches for 81 yards in the game.

Nick Chubb's fumble gives Kansas City Chiefs another short field

The first play of the Browns' second third-quarter possession was another turnover involving running back Nick Chubb. This time, it was a fumble caused when linebacker Leo Chanal punched the ball out after a 7-yard run.

The fumble, recovered by linebacker Drue Tranquill , gave Kansas City the ball at the Browns 44.

Xavier Worthy runs for 21-yard TD to give Chiefs 21-0 lead

The Chiefs pushed their lead out to 21-0 with 12:59 remaining. They did so on wide receiver Xavier Worthy's 21-yard touchdown run.

Kansas City has 14 points on three Browns turnovers. Cleveland has turned the ball over on their first time touching the ball in each half.

Jameis Winston's 2nd interception opens 2nd half for Browns

The first play of the third quarter ended up giving the Chiefs the football back. Quarterback Jameis Winston's short throw to running back Nick Chubb was a bit wide, which led it to bounce off his hands, bounce back to him before linebacker Nick Bolton grabbed it away from him for the interception.

Halftime: Kansas City Chiefs 14, Cleveland Browns 0

The Browns trailed the Chiefs 14-0 at halftime. Cleveland has been outgained 194-74 in the first half.

Cleveland gets the second-half kickoff.

Harrison Butker pulls field goal wide left for Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker pulled his first field goal try of the game wide left from 29 yards out. The miss came with 24 seconds remaining.

Butker was activated from injured reserve on Saturday. He had made both first-half point-after tries.

Myles Garrett returns to field after eye injury

Myles Garrett was back on the field on the first play out of the two-minute warning of the first half. He had left the game with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter with an eye injury.

Browns throw away good kickoff return with failed 4th-down try

The Browns got great field position after the Chiefs touchdown on Jerome Ford's return to the Kansas City 49. Four plays later, they gave the ball back to the Chiefs when quarterback Jameis Winston's fourth-and-1 pass was knocked away from the Kansas City defense.

Patrick Mahomes' 2nd TD pass gives Kansas City Chiefs 14-0 lead

The Chiefs extended their lead to 14-0 when quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit tight end Noah Gray for a 6-yard touchdown pass with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter. The play capped a 14-play, 87-yard drive.

Browns star Myles Garrett sustained an eye injury on the play.

Myles Garrett suffers eye injury, return questionable

Myles Garrett left Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter with an eye injury. His return is questionable.

The Browns defensive end was rushing against Chiefs left tackle Joe Thurney when Thurney's hand got up on the left side of Garrett's face. Garrett immediately recoiled and threw his helmet off, while dropping to the ground and covering his face.

Garrett eventually walked directly to the locker room with trainers with a towel covering his face.

The Chiefs scored on the play, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit tight end Noah Gray for a 6-yard touchdown. That gave them a 14-0 lead.

Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. ruled out with head injury

Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was downgraded to out with a head injury with 5:38 remaining in the first half. Second-year pro Cameron Mitchell has replaced him on the field.

Martin Emerson Jr. being evaluated for a head injury

Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. went to the locker room with 13:57 remaining in the second quarter. He had been in the medical tent for a moment, which included a visit from the NFL independent spotter.

The Browns announced Emerson is being evaluated for a head injury. His return is questionable.

End 1st quarter: Kansas City Chiefs 7, Cleveland Browns 0

The Chiefs have the only score of the game as the first quarter comes to the end. The Browns have turned the ball over twice.

Jameis Winston throws into double coverage for interception at goal line

The Browns had a nice drive going, having moved from their 20 to the Chiefs 36. Quarterback Jameis Winston had gotten wide receiver Jerry Jeudy involved, with three catches for 37 yards.

Winston then decided to try to throw to Elijah Moore on a post pattern while he was double covered by Kansas City's Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner . Cook intercepted the pass, giving the Browns their second turnover in the first quarter with 1:35 remaining.

Kareem Hunt makes 1st appearance on Kansas City Chiefs' 3rd possession

Running back Kareem Hunt, who spent four season with the Browns, made his first appearance in Sunday's game for the Chiefs on their third possession. He carried for 12 yards on the first play of the drive, the first of three consecutive runs for him,

Those three carries netted 18 yards. The Chiefs ended up punting after a third-down pass from their 42 fell incomplete.

Cleveland Browns starting offense vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Here are the first 11 on offense for the Browns:

QB: Jameis Winston
RB: Nick Chubb
TE: Jordan Akins
WR: Elijah Moore
WR: Jerry Jeudy
WR: Michael Woods II
LT: Germain Ifedi
LG: Joel Bitonio
C: Ethan Pocic
RG: Wyatt Teller
RT: Jack Conklin

Patrick Mahomes to JuJu Smith-Schuster to give Chiefs early lead

The Chiefs cashed in the James Proche II fumbled punt. Patrick Mahomes rolled to his right and found JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 12:12 to put the first score on the board.

James Proche II fumbles away Browns' 1st chance at football

The Browns defense forced a three-and-out on the Chiefs' first possession. Cleveland's offense, though, never touched the ball.

James Proche II, called up from the practice squad on Saturday, fumbled the Kansas City punt. The Chiefs recovered at the Browns 21.

Cleveland Browns starting defense vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Browns won the toss and deferred. The Chiefs elected to receive, with Cleveland starting these 11:

DE: Ogbo Okoronkwo
DT: Dalvin Tomlinson
DT: Shelby Harris
DE: Myles Garrett
LB: Mohamoud Diabate
LB: Jordan Hicks
Nickelback: Rodney McLeod
S: Grant Delpit
CB: Denzel Ward
CB: Martin Emerson Jr.
S: Juan Thornhill

No Dustin Hopkins , David Njoku for Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Kicker Dustin Hopkins and tight end David Njoku both were among the inactive players for the Browns as they welcome in the back-to-back Super Bowl winners. Both decisions weren't necessarily surprises, albeit for different reasons.

Cleveland elevated Riley Patterson on Saturday from the practice squad. It was a signal that Hopkins, who has missed six of his last nine field goals, was not going to play against the Chiefs.

Njoku, meanwhile, was listed as questionable on the injury report on Friday with a hamstring injury. The Pro Bowl tight end did not practice all week after suffering the injury in the second quarter of last Sunday's loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers .

Jordan Akins will start in Njoku's place.

One piece of good news for the Browns was that Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio will be in the starting lineup. He had been listed as questionable with a back injury that kept him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Wide receiver Cedric Tillman was inactive for the third consecutive game with a concussion. He had been ruled out on Friday.

Cleveland Browns inactive players vs. Kansas City Chiefs

#2 QB Bailey Zappe (3QB)
#7 K Dustin Hopkins
#19 WR Cedric Tillman
#27 RB D'Onta Foreman
#35 CB Chigozie Anusiem
#85 TE David Njoku
#96 DE James Houston

When do the Cleveland Browns play today?

Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Who is announcing the Chiefs vs. Browns game?

Play-by-play: Ian Eagle
Analysts: Charles Davis
Sideline: Evan Washburn

What channel is Browns vs. Chiefs on: How to watch the Cleveland-Kansas City game on TV, streaming

TV channel: WOIO-TV (Channel 19)
Stream: Paramount+ and NFL+
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Evan Washburn (sideline reporter)

How to listen to the Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs game on the radio, stream

The Cleveland Browns Radio Network will carry the game, with Andrew Siciliano (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.
The Cleveland Browns Radio Network's call can also be streamed at Cleveland Browns.com , as well as the Browns mobile app. It's also available on Sirius XM radio , with channels 81 or 226 carrying the Browns feed.
The game will be carried nationally by ESPN Radio. Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Kelly Stouffer (analyst) will be on the call.
The Browns also have a Spanish-language broadcast, with Rafael "Rafa" Hernández-Brito (play-by-play) and Octavio Sequera (analyst) on the call. Games will be streamed on La Mega Cleveland , as well as heard on WNZN-FM 89.1 in Lorain and WVKO-FM 103.1 in Columbus.

How to buy Chiefs vs. Browns tickets

Tickets for Sunday's game on StubHub can be purchased on StubHub from $20 before fees.

Browns vs. Chiefs weather

It's a rainy December afternoon in Cleveland, with the temperature at kickoff expected to be a high near 42, according to the National Weather Service . Southeast wind 16 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Browns vs. Chiefs injury report

Browns: WR Cedric Tillman (concussion), out; TE David Njoku (hamstring), questionable; LG Joel Bitonio (back), questionable; LB Khaleke Hudson (abdomen), questionable.
Chiefs: WR Hollywood Brown (shoulder), out; LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring), out.

Cleveland Browns result in Week 14

Cleveland fell to 3-10 on the season with a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday in Pittsburgh. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions.

Kansas City Chiefs result in Week 14

The Chiefs improved to 12-1 by beating the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday in Kansas City. The Chiefs, who led 13-0 at halftime, won the game on a Matthew Wright 31-yard field goal that bounced off the upright as time expired.

Cleveland Browns predictions vs. Kansas City Chiefs

So what should we expect from the Browns this afternoon against the Chiefs? Click here to see what our writers project as the score of today's game.

Browns vs. Chiefs betting odds

Provided by BetMGM.com ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores ad Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET Saturday.
Moneyline (ML): Browns +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Chiefs -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
Against the spread: Browns +4 (-110) | Chiefs -4 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 43 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Kansas City Chief scores in all-time series vs. Cleveland Browns

Today is the 29th all-time regular-season or playoff meeting between the Browns and the Chiefs, which dates back to 1971. Here's a look at the series between Cleveland and Kansas City.

Series record (regular season and playoffs): Chiefs lead 15-11-2
Series record (regular season): Chiefs lead 14-11-2
Playoff record: Chiefs lead 1-0
Series in Cleveland (regular season and playoffs): Browns lead 8-4-1
Series record in Cleveland (regular season): Browns lead 8-4-1
Series record in Cleveland (playoffs): N/A
Series record in Kansas City (regular season and playoffs): Chiefs lead 11-3-1
Series record in Kansas City (regular season): Chiefs lead 10-3-1
Series record in Kansas City (playoffs): Chiefs lead 1-0
Last meeting: Chiefs won 33-29 in Kansas City on Sept. 12, 2021
Series streak: Chiefs have won four in a row, including one playoff win

Cleveland Browns 2024 active roster

QUARTERBACKS (3): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jameis Winston, Bailey Zappe
RUNNING BACK (4): Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Jamari Thrash , Cedric Tillman, Michael Woods II
TIGHT ENDS (3): Jordan Akins, David Njoku, Blake Whiteheart
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Michael Dunn, Germain Ifedi, Geron Christian , Ethan Pocic, Zak Zinter , Wyatt Teller
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Isaiah McGuire , Ogbo Okoronkwo, Dalvin Tomlinson, Sam Kamara , James Houston, Cameron Thomas , Jowon Briggs , Mike Hall Jr.
LINEBACKERS (6): Devin Bush , Khaleke Hudson, Winston Reid , Jordan Hicks, Nathaniel Watson , Mohamoud Diabate
DEFENSIVE BACKS (11): D'Anthony Bell, Grant Delpit, Martin Emerson Jr., Ronnie Hickman , Rodney McLeod, Cameron Mitchell, Myles Harden , Mike Ford Jr., Denzel Ward, Juan Thornhill, Chigozie Anusiem
SPECIALISTS (3): Corey Bojorquez , Dustin Hopkins, Rex Sunahara

Cleveland Browns 2024 schedule, results (3-10, 2-2 AFC North)

Sunday, Sept. 8: Home vs. Dallas Cowboys, L, 33-17
Sunday, Sept. 15: At Jacksonville Jaguars, W, 18-13
Sunday, Sept. 22: Home vs. New York Giants, L, 21-15
Sunday, Sept. 29: At Las Vegas Raiders, L, 20-16
Sunday, Oct. 6: At Washington Commanders, L, 34-13
Sunday, Oct. 13: At Philadelphia Eagles, L, 20-16
Sunday, Oct. 20: Home vs. Cincinnati Bengals, L, 21-14
Sunday, Oct. 27: Home vs. Baltimore Ravens, W, 29-24
Sunday, Nov. 3: Home vs. Los Angeles Chargers, L, 27-10
Sunday, Nov. 10: BYE WEEK
Sunday, Nov. 17: At New Orleans Saints, L, 35-14
Thursday, Nov. 21: Home vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, W, 24-19
Monday, Dec. 2: At Denver Broncos, L, 41-32
Sunday, Dec. 8: At Pittsburgh Steelers, L, 27-14
Sunday, Dec. 15: Home vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
Sunday, Dec. 22: At Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Dec. 29: Home vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Saturday, Jan. 4 OR Sunday, Jan. 5: At Baltimore Ravens, TBA, TV TBA

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

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns commit six turnovers in loss to Chiefs in Cleveland

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