The Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) look to lock up a playoff spot when they play host to the visiting Cleveland Browns (3-11). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium.
A win would give the Chiefs a franchise record-tying nine straight dating back to Week 6. It'd also ensure that head coach Andy Reid's team would be the second-ever to start 1-5 and end up in the postseason. And with a win and a Broncos loss, they'd supplant Denver atop the AFC West standings in Week 17.
The Browns are nowhere near the top of the AFC North. Quarterback Johnny Manziel is moving the offense, but it'll be a tall task for him to walk out of Arrowhead with a win. The Browns could reclaim the NFL's No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft with a win and a Titans loss.
Here are three keys to the game for both the Browns and Chiefs:
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BROWNS:
1. Bait Alex Smith
Smith normally sticks to a conservative game plan. The Browns need to get him out of his comfort zone by stacking the box and disguising their coverages and blitzes. If they can't force the risk-averse Smith into a few errors, their chances of pulling off the upset in Arrowhead are slim.
2. Pick on Peters
Rookie cornerback Marcus Peters may have just been named to the Pro Bowl, but there is more than meets the eye. Peters has made a name for himself with solid ball skills with seven interceptions, but he is susceptible to being beaten in coverage as he was last week in Baltimore. Travis Benjamin should go with a double move as many times as possible when he's lined up against Peters in search of a big play.
3. Stick with the run
A week after carving up the 49ers for 230 yards on the ground, the Browns got away from the run game in Seattle despite being down by only 10 points entering the fourth quarter. After opening the game with seven carries during a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson combined for just seven rushes the rest of the game. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo needs to balance out his play calling for as long as possible.
CHIEFS:
1. Keep winning the turnover battle:
Simply put: Kansas City wins when they take control of the turnover battle. They've tallied 20 takeaways during their eight-game run; 16 of those turnovers directly led to points (11 touchdowns, five field goals). They could feast on a Browns team that's sloppy (-7 turnover ratio) with the football.
2. Move those sticks with Alex Smith:
Kansas City and Cleveland are tied for the 27th-most first down plays in football. That's not a great place for a playoff-bound team like the Chiefs to be. However, K.C. has a quarterback who can notch first downs with his arm (138) or legs (15). That's an asset most teams don't have.
3. Pressure Manziel -- but not up the middle
