5 keys for Chiefs to beat the Browns this Sunday

2. Keep Patrick Mahomes healthy

The Browns had a real shot to beat the Chiefs in their AFC divisional round meeting. They shouldn’t have, really. It all got nervy for Kansas City because Patrick Mahomes went down with a concussion.

This is easier said than done, but keeping Mahomes upright and healthy is priority No. 1.

Mahomes was 21-of-30 for 255 yards and two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing, before being knocked out of the game midway through the third quarter. At that point, the Chiefs led 19-10. Even though Baker Mayfield had just led a 77-yard touchdown drive, you’d have expected Mahomes to respond.

Instead, Mahomes was out and Chad Henne was in, producing one field goal drive as the Browns closed the gap to five points with 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

Henne is a likable figure, but he’s not the guy who has KC among the top Super Bowl contenders.

This one is two-fold: The offensive line has to keep Mahomes safe and Mahomes has to keep Mahomes safe.