Predicting every game of the 2021 NFL Playoffs

AFC Divisional: Cleveland Browns (6) at Kansas City Chiefs (1)

Great job, Browns! You beat the Steelers and moved on to the Divisional Round, all during your first postseason appearance in nearly two decades. However, doing so booked you an appointment with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Yikes.

Although I’ve already spoken fondly of the Bills and their current temperature, the Chiefs are just as dangerous heading into the postseason. Not only did they finish with the best record in the league, but they’ve been nearly unstoppable when Patrick Mahomes is under center. And not only will he be in this one, but he’ll also be well-rested.

Cleveland comes out swinging, hoping to get an early lead and keep pace with Mahomes and the Kansas City offense. It works momentarily, but then Baker Mayfield starts to slip into his erratic ways, tossing a turnover that turns the tides heavily in the Chiefs’ favor.

In the end, Mahomes does what he does best — pulverizes the secondary. Cleveland gets shredded on defense, and Mayfield unravels as the Chiefs’ lead increases. The Browns make it a game worth watching, but it’s essentially over by the start of the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Chiefs win 44-27