Cleveland Browns target win versus Kansas City Chiefs without playoff chance – NFL Preview
The Cleveland Browns hold a slight edge over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs to face the hosts in one of crucial ties this Sunday (Dec. 09), although a win or loss will not count much for both sides as far as their playoff prospects are concerned.
Both teams are in a similar situation on the points table. The Browns with 4-8 are nowhere near a playoff chance with or without a wild card. They are at bottom of American Football Conference (AFC) North, well behind their rivals the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh
Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, who all are on a course to the playoffs.
With only two wins in the season the Chiefs are in even worse position. However, a win by them will certainly be a great positive development for them given they just suffered a big tragedy when their linebacker Jovan Belcher shot himself dead in front of
general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel on past weekend when they were preparing for the Carolina Panthers’ game, which they won 27-21 leaving the shocking death of their colleague behind them.
Belcher’s suicide has shocked the entire league because of its circumstances. The player had earlier shot dead his girlfriend and then drove to the stadium to kill himself in presence of the top officials. The team is finding it difficult to get over with
the tragic loss of the player. He was the most likeable figure in the side.
Since then the Chiefs have managed well to cope with the situation, and their victory versus the Panthers was a remarkable boost for the players.
It is pertinent to note that Peyton Hillis, former Cleveland Browns’ rusher, will be facing his teammates for the first time and some of them are eagerly but unhappily awaiting his arrival.
Browns’ offensive tackle Joe Thomas a day earlier severely criticised choice of Hillis to desert the Browns to join the Chiefs. He said the player has given preference to contract over the team, which he thinks was very selfish of him, and that the Browns’
offence has badly been hit by his departure.
Thomas said:
"He crippled our offense. To have Peyton going through a contract dispute and basically refusing to play, it was a big distraction. I think it was better for both sides (he left). At that point, the situation with him here was toxic and he didn't want to
be here and players didn't want him here. It was better for a fresh start."
Hillis has also responded to Thomas’ outbursts, saying:
"Joe Thomas, he can have his opinions all he wants. It's kind of like a crazy ex-girlfriend, you know? It's been over a year. Get on with it."
Apparently, all is set for a competitive game between the two sides, and whoever wins will only have better position in the rankings, because as earlier said there is no chance for progressing beyond the regular season.
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