It took 12 seconds for Jamaal Charles to take a carry 80 yards for a touchdown on the first snap of the game, and 12 seconds was the about the same amount of time that the Kansas City Chiefs would experience any success in a 30-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Ohio.
Chiefs vs. Browns final score: Cleveland blasts Kansas City, 30-7
The Kansas City Chiefs scored on their first offensive play of the game, but from then on the Cleveland Browns defense clamped down on Sunday.
The Browns (5-8) suffocated the Chiefs (2-11) throughout, and had it not been for Charles’ touchdown burst, the score would’ve read even worse. Kansas City’s offense was inept and after the opening score only reached Cleveland territory three times despite putting up 310 total yards. Those trips resulted in a missed field goal, a turnover on downs and a punt.
Cleveland placekicker Phil Dawson got the Browns on the board with four minutes to play in the first quarter, and return man Travis Benjamin returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to give his team a 10-7 lead.
Dawson knocked in two more field goals in the second half, and running back Trent Richardson punched in two 1-yard touchdown runs in the second half in what was an otherwise quiet day for the Browns' rookie.
Richardson had 18 carries for 42 yards as the Chiefs defense held him to 2.3 yards per rush. Quarterback Brandon Weeden was sound, completing 17-of-30 passes for 217 yards.
Winners: Travis Benjamin, whose 93-yard punt return for a touchdown was the longest in Cleveland Browns history.
Losers: Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn, who was 11-for-22 and threw for 159 yards but didn't get any help from his offensive line. He was sacked five times, hit nine times and had a pass deflected that turned into an interception deep in Kansas City territory.
Social media reaction:
Trent Richardson just tied Jim Brown's record for rush TDs by a Browns rookie. Tell us again how ordinary he is, Jim.
— Carter Spires (@jc_spires) December 9, 2012
Seriously folks, Quinn's pass hit the ref on the sidelines in the face.THAT is the play of the year #chiefs
— Bob Fescoe (@bobfescoe) December 9, 2012
Maybe Romeo Crennel, the former Browns coach, will think this one over at the penny slots.
GIF: Shaun Smith, a former Browns tackle who is now playing for Kansas City, tackled Trent Richardson but went UFC on the Cleveland running back.
Stat of the game: Kansas City went 1-for-11 on third down conversions.
Fantasy stud: Jamaal Charles, who had 18 carries for 165 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Odds: Cleveland easily covered the spread, which opened at 4.5 points in the Browns' favor but grew to seven points across the board. The total of 37 was a point short of the over/under.
Injury info: The Chiefs got banged up early, as receiver Dwayne Bowe and Charles each dealt with rib injuries. Charles returned after taking a hit on a 15-yard run in the first half, but Bowe was later ruled out after taking a knee to the back and then vomiting on the field. Jason La Canfora reports the team is worried that Bowe could have two broken ribs.
Next up: The Browns host the Washington Redskins next Sunday and the Chiefs travel to Oakland where they'll face the Raiders.
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