3 Browns who had played their guts out in near-upset of Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

The Cleveland Browns lost, but one has to give credit to their team for hanging tough. 

Several plays will end up defining a game. It most certainly did Sunday afternoon for the Cleveland Browns.

With Patrick Mahomes leaving the game with a concussion, it was time for the Browns to strike. The offense moved consistently, points were had and the defense did their part to keep it close. However, one final play from backup quarterback Chad Henne kept the clock rolling in Kansas City’s favor.

https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1350950780837130240

Ultimately, it gave the Chiefs a 22-17 victory, sending them back to the AFC Championship game for the third-straight season.

It might be a sour note for the Browns, who end their season at 11-5 with their first playoff win in over two decades, but they should hold their head up high. It came down to the wire and anything could have happened should a play from earlier gone in their direction.

These three names definitely deserve high praise.

3 Browns players who deserve credit for the near-upset of the Chiefs

3. Nick Chubb

In a game where it’s about trusting your gut, Nick Chubb trusted his legs. His second-half rebound will be one fans remember for years to come. Twice his runs went for over 20-plus yards, setting Cleveland up in great field position.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1350925848673660940

Kareem Hunt was given the chance to score against his former team, but Chubb set him up for a shot to even get there. Averaging 5.3 yards per run, plus helping out in pass protection, who knows what would have happened if he struggled once again.

It’s not about how you start, but rather how you finish. Chubb finished his night and season on the right note.

2. Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield isn’t going to get enough attention for the job out there. While he did throw a costly interception to Tyrann Mathieu, he also looked great dissecting plays in the open field and keeping the ball rolling in his favor.

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1350925720822951936

The third-year quarterback finished 23-of-37 with 204 yards and a touchdown. He also connected with three different targets for 20-plus yard gains. Under pressure, he didn’t allow the Chiefs’ front-seven to bully him into making mistakes.

One of the biggest traits a quarterback needs is maturity. Winning against one of the overall better secondaries is a tall task to ask from a quarterback playing in his second playoff game. if three throws go his way, the Bills would be hosting a championship next Sunday.

1. Entire offensive line

L’Jarius Snead picked up a sack in the first quarter for an eight-yard loss. That was the only one the Browns offensive line allowed all afternoon. Usually, that wouldn’t be an impressive feat for the top-ranked unit in the NFL, but keep in mind that both starter Jedrick Wills and backup Kendall Lamm suffered injures that kept them out of the game.

Without the Browns’ protection, Mayfield wouldn’t have time to throw. The initial blocks against the front seven wouldn’t have set Chubb and Hunt up to run for big-time gains and touchdowns. And sure, the wide receivers deserve credit, but Mayfield had ample opportunities to ease back and wait for the proper read.

The Browns’ offense remains in good hands for the future. Why? The line will keep Mayfield upright and the run game one of the league’s best.