Nine in a row. The Kansas City Chiefs are now 10-5 after starting the season 1-5. They have won nine straight games after beating the Cleveland Browns, 17-13. The Chiefs had trouble with Johnny Manziel's rushing and this game came down to the last minute but the Chiefs were the better team.
Johnny Manziel took advantage of Houston and Hali missing
No question about it. The Chiefs missed Justin Houston (knee) and Tamba Hali (thumb) who were both out of this game with injuries. All the Browns big plays came from Johnny Manziel scrambles. Everyone time Cleveland needed a play, Manziel would run the ball and run it well. It looked like the Chiefs were missing their ability to set the edge and contain the quarterback. That's what Houston and Hali do well.
I can't really fault the Chiefs defense for this. If you take away the top two pass rushers from any team, they're not going to be as good.
Alex Smith's rushing ability comes through again
Smith had 54 yards on six first half carries. They were all timely, including a 29-yard run late in the first half that helped the Chiefs on a scoring drive. He seems to take a read or two and then tuck it and run, which is fine as long as he continues to make smart reads on when to run. He's been pretty good about that so far.
Smith's rushing ability changes how the defense has to defend him. The Chiefs defense got an up close look at that with Johnny Manziel, who had a nice day running the ball against the Chiefs defense.
Alex Smith, #Chiefs QB and Houdini impersonator. https://t.co/FRp0rSqZ1K
— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) December 27, 2015
Jeremy Maclin passes 1,000 yards
Before the season we polled our readers and 64 percent of you said that Maclin would be a 1,000-yard receiver for the Chiefs. And they were right. Maclin's 11-yard touchdown catch in the first half put him past 1,000 yards for the season.
Want to see a pass/catch on the money? Watch... https://t.co/HiwHOygpiG
— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) December 27, 2015
Marcus Peters ties NFL lead in INTs
He ties the Chiefs franchise record for interceptions by a rookie. He leads the NFL in interception yards. He's the front runner for the NFL's defensive rookie of the year award. He's been a great addition to the Chiefs defense.
Marcus Peters is for real. https://t.co/QFJuvebQYO
— Woot and Wye NFL (@WootandWye) December 27, 2015