Chiefs Lose to the Browns in a Close Game

41 to 34. Browns win.

This was easily the most entertaining game of the Kansas City Chiefs season, despite the sickening loss. The Chiefs had a great drive to tie the game late but their run defense let them down as they had all day.

On the Browns final drive, Cleveland called six straight running plays. Brady Quinn ran a bootleg for 24-yards and Jerome Harrison capped his historic day with a 28-yard TD run to essentially win the game.

It was a game of ups and downs and unfortunately the Chiefs came up short. We'll have much more for you as the afternoon goes on.

Joel is on his way to the locker room now. Hit him up on Twitter (@ArrowheadPride) with your questions to ask players.

Here are some thoughts on on the game:

The Good

• Jamaal Charles had another career day - 25 rushes, 154 yards and a TD.
• Cassel had one of his best games of the season - 22/40, 331 yards passing, 2 TDs and no INTs. His QB rating was 99.1.
• The Chiefs scored a season high 34 points and had 491 total offensive yards.
• Chris Chambers had 114 yards and a TD in his best game as a Chief.

The Bad

• Drops, again. Jake O'Connell, Dwayne Bowe and Mark Bradley were all culprits.
• No sacks and not much of a pass rush for the Chiefs D. The Browns didn't pass much but there was really no pressure on Quinn all day.
• The Chiefs were 4/13 on third downs. Not a good showing.

The Ugly

• Jerome Harrison of the Browns rushed for a franchise record and nearly an NFL record - 286 yards. The Chiefs gave up 351 yards rushing to the Browns.
  
• The Chiefs gave up two first half kickoff return TDs to Josh Cribbs. I know he's the best in NFL history - so why not kick away from him for the entire game?

We've got a drive by drive summary of the game after the jump, for those that missed the game.

First Quarter

Browns 1st drive:

Josh Cribbs received the kick around the six and took it to the 24 yard line.

The Browns moved the ball fairly well in their first drive accumulating 4 first downs. They rushed for 27 yards and passed for 19 on the drive.  Brady Quinn was long on two deep throws that were incompletes. The drive was 4:47 and took 12 plays. The Browns kicked a 46 yard field goal to end the drive.

Chiefs 1st drive:

Mark Bradley had a nice return to the 28 yard line.

The Chiefs moved the ball fairly well to start the drive hitting Bowe and Cottam on crossing routes.  On a first down, Castille took a handoff and was tackled at the line of scrimmage.  As he was going down, it looks like the ball was popping out. A Browns player picked it up and the referees ruled it a fumble, Browns ball.  The Chiefs challenged the playcall. There really wasn't a definitive camera angle and the call was upheld.

The Browns took over at their own 47 yard line.

Browns 2nd drive:

That was quick.  On the third play of the drive, Quinn tried to go deep but was about 10 yards too short and the ball was picked off by Carr.  He returned it over 20 yards to the 49 yard line.

Carr was trying to cut back into the middle of the field and wouldn't go down. I think he thought he was a ball carrier.

Chiefs 2nd drive:

On the first play of the drive, Cassel dropped back to pass and couldn't find anyone.  He threw the ball at Castille's feet to avoid a sack.  On the second play, Cassel dropped back to pass looking at Bradley streaking deep across the middle of the field.  Bradley was covered by the safety over the top so he tucked the ball and ran it.

The third play was interesting.  Cassel dropped back to pass and threw an absolute duck to Chambers, who had to stop and wait for the ball.  It was a jump ball and he came down with it for a 31 yard game.

The Chambers catch put the Chiefs inside the 15 yard line and Cassel over threw an open Charles.  The next play Bowe dropped the ball on a slant route. It was definitely catchable.

The Chiefs kicked a field goal from 30 yards out to tie the game.

Six plays, 37 yards, 1:58.

Browns 3rd drive:

Not much of a drive.  Cribbs took the return at the goal line and ran 100 yards to the house.  There were multiple missed tackles on the return.

This was more the fault of the Chiefs than a credit to Cribbs.

Chiefs 3rd drive:

On 2nd and 10, Cassel dropped back to pass and threw the ball away in Charles' general direction.  The refs blew the whistle and called intentional grounding knocking the Chiefs back 14 yards.

Cassel threw it to a running back for a 8 yard gain, then Cassel went deep to Bowe and overthrew it by about 3 yards.

Bad series.

Browns 4th drive:

The Browns started at their own 47 yard line after a 30 yard Colquitt punt.

The Browns had two short runs for 7 yards and entered a 3rd and 3.  Quinn sent a man in motion and hit him in the flats for a first down. Travis Daniels was on the coverage.  On the next first down, DaJuan Morgan (Yeah, he still plays) tackled the running back for a 7 yard gain.

Poor tackling by the Chiefs - facing a 2nd and 3 from the Chiefs 35 yard line, the Browns running back shot off left tackle and, with a missed tackle, took it to the 21 yard line for a 14 yard gain.

The Browns worked their way inside the 15 yard line and, facing a 3rd and 3, ran a delayed draw out of the shotgun for a gain of one yard.  On 4th and 2, the Browns kicked another 30 yard field goal.

Browns 13 Chiefs 3

9 plays, 40 yards, 4:32.

Second Quarter

Chiefs 4th drive:

Two straight Jamaal Charles runs nets the Chiefs a first down.  It's nice to see a Chiefs running back running between the tackles and net first downs.

On 1st down, Charles took the carry again for 7 yards.  In a hurry up offense, Cassel lined up in shotgun, and handed it off to Charles for another first down.

On 1st down, Cassel made up for his duck he threw to Chambers (but was caught anyway).  Cassel lofted an over-the-shoulder pass to Chambers that put the Chiefs at the 9 yard line.  Those who critique Cassel's deep ball, take note because he had another very pretty over-the-shoulder catch on the very next play for a Chiefs touchdown.

Chambers and Charles coming up big on that drive.

Chiefs 10 Browns 13

6 plays, 72 yard,s 2:28

Browns 5th drive:

Succop kicked off to the goal line and Cribbs took it to the 28 yard line before being taken down. 

First play of the drive is a 7 yard run by Browns RB Harrison.  The Chiefs are really having a tough time stopping the run so far today.  On the second play, Quinn again went to Harrison who took it up the middle for a first down.  He was tackled by the shoe strings - if he hadn't been there was daylight ahead of him. 

On first down, Cribbs took the hand off in the wildcat and showed his athleticism leaping over a fallen lineman in a sweep left. He gained four yards.

Jennings took an off tackle right for about four yards on the next play setting up a third down.  Gilberry and Jackson were the only down linemen on the play.  Quinn's in shotgun and dumps it off to rookie Massaquoi for a two yard gain.

The Browns punted on 4th and 1 and the ball was fair caught by Bradley at the 15 yard line.

Chiefs 5th drive:

It won't show up in the stat box but Charles is running hard today.  He took the first play of the drive for four yards off the right tackle.  On the second play, Cassel again hit Cottam across the middle of the field. It looked like a skinny post and went for 24 yard gain.  On first down, two RBs were in the backfield and Cassel had to instruct them to get into I-formation.  He snapped the ball and immediately threw it to Chambers who got five yards on the quick out.  On the third play, Cassel faked the hand off and took it on his own for a bootleg.  He got five yards for a first down.

On first down, Charles took a sweep left and - remember this play because it's a highlight and my words won't do it justice - cut back inside and used his straight burner's speed to go 47 yards for the score.

Bowe had a great block on the play and was singled out by Todd Haley was a pat on the rear.

Chiefs 17 Browns 13

Browns 6th drive:

The Chiefs kicked off and it was taken to the 21 yard line by Cribbs.  Jovan Belcher made another special teams tackle. I can tell why he's a coaching staff favorite.  A holding penalty moved the Browns back to their own 11.

The Chiefs are getting stiffer on the run holding Harrison to a 3 yard gain on a sweep.  On second down, Quinn dropped back to pass and the pocket became to collapse on him.  Dion Gales pressured Quinn and caused him to nearly fumble the ball. 

On third down, Quinn hit Harrison in the left flats for an almost first down. 

On 4th and 2, the Browns lined up in punt formation.   Replays showed the punter didn't call for the snap, it came anyway, and it was mishandled fumbled near the end zone.

Instead of falling on it, the punter tried to pick it up in the end zone.  Mike Richardson ran in and landed on the ball and then Browns and Chiefs players began to pile on. 

Andy Studebaker then came out of the pile with the ball while the refs were still trying to move guys off the pile to see who had the ball.  Studebaker then had to go up to the refs and point to the ball in his hands before the ruled a touchdown.

Chiefs 24 Browns 13

Chiefs 6th drive:

That was the Studebaker special teams touchdown.

Chiefs 24 Browns 13

Browns 7th drive:

That would be Josh Cribbs, 103 yards, on the kickoff return.  This guy is amazing and it's not even halftime.

Chiefs 24 Browns 20

Chiefs 7th drive:

Jamaal Charles starts the drive with two consecutive carries netting a first down.  On the third play of the series, Cassel hit Bowe on a comeback route for an 8 yard gain. 

Cassel lined up in shotgun and handed off to Charles where he took it to the left side of the field. Cassel was following him and threw a block on a Browns defensive lineman.  The linebacker, David Bowens, turned around and got in Cassel's face and our QB pushed him back. Nice sense of fight from Cassel there.

Browns 8th drive:

The Browns kneeled the ball once and took it into halftime.

Third Quarter

Chiefs 8th drive:

On the first play, Charles ran for four yards.  Cassel threw an incomplete on the second play and on the third play, Bradley dropped an open pass.  Ouch.

Colquitt punted to Cribbs where he took it to the 17 yard line. It was a 55 yard punt.

Browns 9th drive:

Sigh.

Harrison runs 11 yards for a first down.  Then runs up the gut for 71 yards.

Sigh.

Chiefs 24 Browns 27

Chiefs 9th drive:

Jamaal Charles had a short loss to start off the drive, after Mark Bradley had a short return on the kickoff.  Another dish to Charles and he almost gets the first down on a strong run where he fell forward towards the end. He has 106 yards rushing on the day. It's 3rd and 2.

TE Jake O'Connell dropped an easy pass from Cassel in the flat on third down. Chiefs are punting. That was a gut wrencher.

Browns 10th drive:

Nothing really for Cribbs on the return. Browns take over near the twenty yard line.

The Chiefs got the Browns to 3rd and 1 but Jerome Harrison converted the first on a handoff. He's been looking great today.

Brady Quinn throws up a bomb and Brandon Flowers picks it off. That's Quinn's second INT today. The Chiefs take over inside their own 10-yard line.

Chiefs 10th drive:

Jake O'Connell drops another pass from Cassel - this time for a sure 10-12 yard gain.

And another drop. Cassel's high pass to Bowe should have been caught. It would have been a first down. Time to punt. Nothing to show for that INT.

Browns 11th drive:

Not much for Cribbs on the return. He jumped in the air to avoid a tackle and basically fell on the ground.

Harrison was stuffed on first down and Cribbs was stopped short on 3rd and 6. Nice work by the Chiefs' run defense.

Cleveland doesn't really have a passing game today.

Chiefs 11th drive:

The Chiefs took over near their own 8-yard line and Jamaal Charles quickly got them past the 20-yard line with a couple of nice rushes. It's 3rd and 6.

Cassel's pass to Mark Bradley was off the mark. The Chiefs are 1/8 on third downs today. Colquitt time.

Browns 12th drive:

Nothing for Cribbs on the punt return. The Chiefs have actually contained Cribbs almost entirely on punt returns.

Cleveland has put on a slow steady drive, to get deep into Chiefs' territory. Lots of Jerome Harrison as the Browns plug away.

The Browns went for it on 4th and 1 near the 20-yard line and Brady Quinn had a 13-yard run to get within the 10-yard line. On the next play, Jerome Harrison scored a TD. He has 213 yards rushing on the day.

Chiefs 24 Browns 34

Fourth Quarter

Chiefs 12th drive:

Jamaal Charles was the return man. He got near the 20-yard line.

Cassel hit Cottam for a first down near the sideline. Another good catch for Cottam. And another good run for Charles after that - 9 yard run then a second effort short run for the first down. He is our offense.

Huge catch by Chris Chambers on an aired out pass from Cassel. The Chiefs have the ball on the Browns 14-yard line.

Matt Cassel was rushed on second down and threw a ball that should have been picked by the Browns. The Browns defender dropped one of the easiest INTs I've seen this season. That was third down. Ryan Succop put it through for three on the next play.

Browns 34 Chiefs 27

Browns 13th drive:

Ryan Succop tried a pooch kick and the Chiefs nearly recovered the ball thirty yards down the field. There was a scuffle and Andy Studebaker got called for necessary roughness.

Jerome Harrison continues to destroy the Chiefs. He ran for a big first down to give the Browns the ball near the mid-field. Two more rushing plays - another first down for the Browns. He set the record for most rushing yards in a game by a Brown ever.The Chiefs continue to help set records.

The Browns are wearing the Chiefs down run by run. There is 5:30 left in the game and the Browns are plugging along in Chiefs territory.

On third and 6, Josh Cribbs lined up in the wildcat and threw a bomb into the end zone that was broken up by Brandon Carr. Phil Dawson' 52-yard field goal on 4th down is short.

The Chiefs will get the ball back with 4:26 to go.

Chiefs 13th drive:

On first down, on a pass intended for Chambers, Bowe made an incredible catch on the deflection. The Browns challenged and the call was upheld. You could hear the crowd blow up when the ref announced that the play was upheld.

After a Cottam catch and a Charles run, the Chiefs faced third down. Charles busted out a great run on a short flip from Cassel. First down Chiefs inside the twenty.

Cassel hit Pope in the end zone - literally. But the ball was incomplete. Haley's play call on 3rd and 10 was a delayed run to Charles. It only gained four yards.

The Chiefs went for it on fourth down and hit Bradley for a TD. There is 2:20 left in the game.

Chiefs 34 Browns 34

Browns 14th drive:

Succop hit another pooch kick and Cribbs did not touch the ball. The Browns take over near their own 30-yard line.

After a Jerome Harrison run, Brady Quinn did his best Derek Anderson v. the Chiefs impression and rushed for a massive, 24-yard gain on a bootleg to the right side.

And with 46 seconds left in the game, Jerome Harrison rushes for his third TD of the day - 28-yards. He has 286 yards on the day.

Browns 41 Chiefs 34

Chiefs 14th drive:

The drive started off great by Cassel hitting Bradley for a big pass gain near mid field. Another pass near the sidelines set the Chiefs up for one last pass play.

Cassel's 26-yard pass to the end zone hit the cross bar.

Game over.

Browns 41 Chiefs 34