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The Cleveland Browns shocked the world by blowing out the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round and their first playoff run in nearly two decades is about to get a lot more challenging. Cleveland is set to face the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round and is a major underdog against the team many consider to be the best in the NFL.
Here’s a look at the opening odds of this matchup between the Browns and Chiefs in the second round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs. Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Browns vs. Chiefs
Point spread: Chiefs -9.5
Point total: 54.5
Moneyline: Browns +350, Chiefs -480
The Browns feasted on a bevy of turnovers the Steelers forked up, without giving the ball away at all in the first round. They can’t count on the same thing happening against the Chiefs though, as Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 38 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2020 and has some of the most efficient offensive weapons in the NFL at his disposal.
Cleveland’s defensive line has a shot at slowing down the Chiefs’ often-stagnant rushing attack but its secondary is in danger of being picked apart. The Browns’ secondary has been exposed on multiple occasions this year and matching up against Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill will make Kansas City is no small task. Can Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt do enough on the ground to help Cleveland control the clock and remain competitive?
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