Browns vs. Chiefs 2021: game time, TV schedule and how to watch live online

The Game

The Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns begin their 2021 NFL seasons at Arrowhead Stadium with a rematch of last season’s Divisional round playoff game. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time. The game will be broadcast by CBS-TV — locally on KCTV/5.

The Chiefs finished 2020 with a league and franchise-best record of 14-2, giving them the AFC’s top postseason seed. They defeated the Browns and Buffalo Bills to advance to their second-straight Super Bowl appearance, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9.

The team will begin the season with an entirely new offensive line (including three rookie starters) to protect superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who begins his fifth NFL season as the league’s top player. His main receiving targets — tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill — are back for 2021, along with second-year running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who gained 1,100 yards from scrimmage in a 13-game rookie season.

On defense, star defensive tackle Chris Jones has been moved to defensive end — but depending on down and distance, he will likely line up in both positions. In the offseason, the team also signed former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed and drafted linebacker Nick Bolton, who will likely see significant time against Cleveland while second-year player Willie Gay Jr. is on injured reserve with a toe injury. All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu — activated from the team’s Reserve/COVID list on Saturday — and defensive end Frank Clark are both listed as questionable for the game.

Before being sent home in last season’s Divisional round, the Browns had won their first playoff game since the franchise was re-established in Cleveland before the 1999 season — and only their second since 1989. Under second-year head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns finished the 2020 campaign with an 11-5 record in a super-competitive AFC North division that sent three teams to the postseason.

Led by fourth-year quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Cleveland offense features a strong rushing attack from running backs Nick Chubb and former Chief Kareem Hunt, who combined for more than 2,300 yards from scrimmage in 2020. Wide receivers Jarvis Landy and Odell Beckham Jr. are also dangerous threats — although Beckham is working to recover from a knee injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Nuts and bolts

• Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
• Playing surface: Natural grass
• Game time: 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time, Sunday, September 12, 2021
• Weather forecast: Sunny and 92, winds SSW at 14 mph
• Matchup history: Chiefs 13-11-2 (regular season)
• Odds: Chiefs -5.5
• Officials: Referee Bill Vinovich (52), umpire Tony Michalek (115), down judge Patrick Holt (106), line judge Mark Perlman (9), field judge Joe Blubaugh (57), side judge Jimmy Buchanan (86), back judge Jimmy Russell (82), replay official Mark Butterworth and replay assistant Yvonda Lewis.
• Pageantry: Colors: Missouri National Guard. National Anthem: Kansas City Symphony. Flyover: B-2 bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base. Drum Deck Honoree: Pat Schottenheimer and Christian Okoye. Spirit Leader: Ronald McDonald House Charities volunteer Sam Kopek.
• Television broadcast: with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson on KCTV (CBS/5-Kansas City), Chiefs Mobile App, WOIO (CBS/19-Cleveland) and CBS affiliates nationwide — see coverage map
• Online Stream: Fubo.TV
• Chiefs radio broadcast: with Mitch Holthus, Danan Hughes and Josh Klingler on WDAF (106.5 FM-Kansas City) and Chiefs Radio Network affiliates
• SiriusXM broadcast: Channel 227
• Chiefs Spanish radio broadcast: with Enrique Morales, Oscar Monterroso and Hannah Bassham on KPRS (103.3 FM-Kansas City)
• Browns radio broadcast: with Jim Donovan, Doug Dieken and Nathan Zegura on WKNR (850 AM-Cleveland), WKRK (92.3 FM-Cleveland), WNCX (98.5 FM-Cleveland) and Browns Radio Network affiliates.
• Enemy SB Nation site: Dawgs By Nature
• Twitter: Arrowhead Pride
• Facebook: Please like us!

What you need to know in the stadium

• Parking lots open: 11 a.m.
• Stadium gates open: 1:30 p.m.
• COVID-19: Per Kansas City, Missouri city ordinance, masks are required in public indoor spaces — regardless of vaccination status. Unless actively eating or drinking, stadium guests will be asked to wear masks on the CommunityAmerica Club Level, in the Ford Founder’s Club, Foolish Lounge, Broadcast Lounge, Signature Suite Lounge, Locker Room Club, Tickets for Less Penthouse, Draft Room and Chiefs Pro Shop.
• Masks are not required outdoors — but they are encouraged for guests who have not been fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated stadium staff — and all those working inside enclosed public areas — are directed to wear masks. A complete list of the stadium’s health and safety protocols is available at www.Chiefs.com.
• Parking passes: All parking passes must be purchased in advance at www.Chiefs.com; payments will not be accepted at the parking toll gates.
• Cashless Arrowhead: All concession stands and retail points of sale are completely cashless. Fixed points of sale offer traditional scan and chip reader options for credit/debit cards and mobile tap or scan payment options — including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. In-stadium hawkers and vendors accept credit cards only.
• Clear bags, permitted items: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in place for all Arrowhead Stadium events. Fans may visit www.Chiefs.com for important information on the clear bag policy and a complete list of permitted and prohibited items.