Mother Nature may deliver the Chiefs the weather advantage they need over the Browns in Week 15
The Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns are in for a soggy showdown at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday morning. Weather forecasts call for anywhere from a 69% to 90% chance of rain throughout the game, with rainfall nearing a quarter of an inch. Wind gusts could reach up to 28 mph, with […]
The Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns are in for a soggy showdown at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday morning.
Weather forecasts call for anywhere from a 69% to 90% chance of rain throughout the game, with rainfall nearing a quarter of an inch. Wind gusts could reach up to 28 mph, with a south-southeast heading.
The Chiefs are always prepared to play in wet weather. Andy Reid historically gives his players some practice in rainfall during training camp, so long as there is no lightning in the area. The team's equipment manager, Allen Wright, always comes equipped with several different studs for the players' cleats to give them the best traction possible in wet conditions.
A big day for Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Samaje Perine?
Naturally, when it rains, the passing game is affected. The completion percentage dips, and ball security becomes a concern. Teams often compensate by relying on the running game. Kansas City needs to do that anyway to protect Patrick Mahomes from a vaunted Browns pass rush led by Myles Garrett. This could also allow them to rely more heavily on 12 and 13 personnel looks, with multiple tight ends, where the team has seen a lot of success this season.
Starting RB Isiah Pacheco had 16 touches in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was just his second game back from an ankle fracture. During his first game back, he notched the longest carry of the season by a Chiefs running back. The team also has some good change-ups in Kareem Hunt (a former Brown) and Samaje Perine, who has become the team's top pass-protecting back.
The weather might also cause some problems for Kansas City
As much as the wet weather could play into the Chiefs' hands, it could also cause some problems. Just as Kansas City's running backs could see a major boost, Nick Chubb could quickly become an issue for the Chiefs' defense. He's hard enough to tackle when he's not sopping wet.
The wind and wetness on the field will raise questions about the kicking game and K Harrison Butker, who will return from a knee injury on Sunday.
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