Browns vs Chiefs Week 1 2021: Final Score 33

Final2021 Week 1

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MOSun, Sep 12, 2021, 4:25 PM ET

Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs, Week 1 2021

Cleveland Browns

Away

Kansas City Chiefs

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Browns	8	14	0	7	29
Chiefs	3	7	10	13	33

CLE 29KC 33 Final

Passing leader
Patrick Mahomes
KC · QB
33.3PPR pts
27/36, 337 YDS, 3 TD, 1 RUSH TD
Top fantasy scorer
Tyreek Hill
KC · WR
37.1PPR pts
11 REC, 197 YDS, 1 TD
Browns leader
Nick Chubb
CLE · RB
22.1PPR pts
15 ATT, 83 YDS, 2 TD, 2 REC, 18 REC YDS
Defensive playmaker
Mike Hughes
KC
1 INT, 2 TKL

Chiefs 33, Browns 29: Kansas City rallies from 12 down at halftime

Kansas City erased a 22–10 halftime deficit, outscoring Cleveland 23–7 after the break to win 33–29. Cleveland outgained the Chiefs 457–397.

The Browns went 2-for-7 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Chiefs kept the ball for 32:47 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

+2 turnover margin KC 0 turnovers
+40% third-down rate KC 69% · CLE 29%
+5:34 time of possession KC 32:47 · CLE 27:13

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Chiefs Won

Kansas City won the turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Browns vs Chiefs
Browns	Stat	Chiefs
2	Turnovers	0

29%	Third-down conversion	69%

27:13	Time of possession	32:47

Other team stats
457	Total yards	397

8.2	Yards per play	6.5

56	Plays	61

Scoring Summary

The Chiefs scored four touchdowns and two field goals; the Browns scored four touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Browns vs Chiefs
Time	Team	Play	CLE	KC
1st quarter
7:53	CLE	Nick Chubb 4-yard TD run Takes leadKareem Hunt 2-pt run	8	0
1:51	KC	Harrison Butker 28-yard FG	8	3
2nd quarter
13:28	CLE	Jarvis Landry 5-yard TD run Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP	15	3
6:30	KC	Patrick Mahomes 5-yard TD runHarrison Butker XP	15	10
2:55	CLE	Nick Chubb 18-yard TD run Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP	22	10
3rd quarter
7:27	KC	Patrick Mahomes → Travis Kelce, 11-yard TDHarrison Butker XP	22	17
0:32	KC	Harrison Butker 43-yard FG	22	20
4th quarter
10:24	CLE	Kareem Hunt 2-yard TD run Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP	29	20
10:10	KC	Patrick Mahomes → Tyreek Hill, 75-yard TDHarrison Butker XP	29	27
7:04	KC	Patrick Mahomes → Travis Kelce, 8-yard TD Game winner2-pt try failed	29	33

Fantasy Points: Browns vs Chiefs, Week 1 2021

Fantasy leaders

Tyreek HillKCWR37.1 PTSWR2
Patrick MahomesKCQB33.3 PTSQB2
Travis KelceKCTE25.6 PTSTE4
Nick ChubbCLERB21.1 PTSRB5

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Patrick MahomesKCQB	33.3	QB2	27/36	337	3	0	5	18	1	131.4	Start/Sit →
Baker MayfieldCLEQB	13.6	QB25	21/28	321	0	1	1	7	0	97.5	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Tyreek HillKCWR	37.1	WR2	WR	1	4	0	15	11	197	1
Travis KelceKCTE	25.6	TE4	TE	—	—	—	7	6	76	2	Start/Sit →
Nick ChubbCLERB	21.1	RB5	RB	15	83	2	2	2	18	0
Jarvis LandryCLEWR	19.4	WR17	WR	2	13	1	5	5	71	0
Kareem HuntCLERB	17.1	RB13	RB	6	33	1	3	3	28	0
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR	11.6	WR51	WR	1	17	0	5	3	69	0
David NjokuCLETE	10.6	TE14	TE	—	—	—	5	3	76	0
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB	10.2	RB31	RB	14	43	0	3	3	29	0
Austin HooperCLETE	5.7	TE27	TE	—	—	—	3	3	27	0	Start/Sit →
Mecole HardmanKCWR	4.9	WR84	WR	—	—	—	3	3	19	0
Harrison BryantCLETE	2.7	TE43	TE	—	—	—	2	1	17	0
Demarcus RobinsonKCWR	1.9	WR108	WR	—	—	—	2	1	9	0
Byron PringleKCWR	1.6	WR113	WR	—	—	—	2	1	6	0
Blake BellKCTE	1.5	TE48	TE	1	2	0	1	1	3	0
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR	1.4	WR116	WR	—	—	—	1	1	4	0
Darrel WilliamsKCRB	0.4	RB76	RB	1	4	0	—	—	—	—

Fantasy Usage

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

Jarvis LandryWR51 snaps86%
Donovan Peoples-JonesWR47 snaps80%
Austin HooperTE38 snaps64%
David NjokuTE35 snaps59%
Nick ChubbRB31 snaps53%

Target Share26 targets

Jarvis Landry19%, 5 targets
David Njoku19%, 5 targets
Anthony Schwartz19%, 5 targets
Austin Hooper12%, 3 targets
Kareem Hunt12%, 3 targets
Other19%, 5 targets

Carry Share25 carries

Nick Chubb60%, 15 carries
Kareem Hunt24%, 6 carries
Jarvis Landry8%, 2 carries
Baker Mayfield4%, 1 carries
Anthony Schwartz4%, 1 carries

Kansas City Chiefs

Snap Share

Tyreek HillWR57 snaps88%
Travis KelceTE55 snaps85%
Demarcus RobinsonWR48 snaps74%
Clyde Edwards-HelaireRB47 snaps72%
Mecole HardmanWR45 snaps69%

Target Share33 targets

Tyreek Hill45%, 15 targets
Travis Kelce21%, 7 targets
Mecole Hardman9%, 3 targets
Clyde Edwards-Helaire9%, 3 targets
Demarcus Robinson6%, 2 targets
Other9%, 3 targets

Carry Share22 carries

Clyde Edwards-Helaire64%, 14 carries
Patrick Mahomes23%, 5 carries
Blake Bell5%, 1 carries
Tyreek Hill5%, 1 carries
Darrel Williams5%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Tyreek HillKCWR	57	88%	15	45%	1
Jarvis LandryCLEWR	51	86%	5	19%	2
Travis KelceKCTE	55	85%	7	21%	0
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR	47	80%	1	4%	0
Demarcus RobinsonKCWR	48	74%	2	6%	0
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB	47	72%	3	9%	14
Mecole HardmanKCWR	45	69%	3	9%	0
Austin HooperCLETE	38	64%	3	12%	0
David NjokuCLETE	35	59%	5	19%	0
Nick ChubbCLERB	31	53%	2	8%	15
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR	31	53%	5	19%	1
Kareem HuntCLERB	28	47%	3	12%	6
Harrison BryantCLETE	19	32%	2	8%	0
Blake BellKCTE	19	29%	1	3%	1
Darrel WilliamsKCRB	14	22%	0	0%	1
Byron PringleKCWR	11	17%	2	6%	0
Jody FortsonKCTE	7	11%	0	0%	0
Noah GrayKCTE	7	11%	0	0%	0
Marcus KempKCWR	5	8%	0	0%	0
Rashard HigginsCLEWR	4	7%	0	0%	0
Jerick McKinnonKCRB	4	6%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+14.3Patrick Mahomes33.3 PTS vs 19.0 xFP
Biggest underperformer−3.8Clyde Edwards-Helaire10.2 PTS vs 14.0 xFP
Highest expected volume25.9 xFPTyreek Hill37.1 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Tyreek HillKC · WR	37.1	25.9	+11.2	88%	44% tgt	—	0	1	4%	15	44%
Patrick MahomesKC · QB	33.3	19.0	+14.3	100%	36 att	—	36	5	22%	0	0%
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC · RB	10.2	14.0	−3.8	72%	61% car	—	0	14	61%	3	9%
Baker MayfieldCLE · QB	13.6	13.0	+0.6	100%	28 att	—	28	1	4%	0	0%
Nick ChubbCLE · RB	22.1	13.0	+9.1	53%	58% car	—	0	15	58%	2	7%
Travis KelceKC · TE	25.6	11.8	+13.8	85%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	21%
Jarvis LandryCLE · WR	19.4	9.7	+9.7	86%	19% tgt	—	0	2	8%	5	19%
Anthony SchwartzCLE · WR	11.6	9.1	+2.5	53%	19% tgt	—	0	1	4%	5	19%
Kareem HuntCLE · RB	17.1	8.9	+8.2	47%	23% car	—	0	6	23%	3	11%
David NjokuCLE · TE	10.6	8.4	+2.2	59%	19% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	19%
Austin HooperCLE · TE	5.7	5.1	+0.6	64%	11% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	11%
Mecole Hardman Jr.KC · WR	4.9	5.1	−0.2	69%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	9%
Byron PringleKC · WR	1.6	3.4	−1.8	17%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Demarcus RobinsonKC · WR	1.9	3.4	−1.5	74%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE	2.7	3.4	−0.7	32%	7% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	7%
Blake BellKC · TE	1.5	2.3	−0.8	29%	4% car	—	0	1	4%	1	3%
Andy JanovichCLE · RB	0.0	1.7	−1.7	—	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	4%
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLE · WR	1.4	1.7	−0.3	80%	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	4%
Mike RemmersKC · —	0.8	1.7	−0.9	—	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Darrel WilliamsKC · RB	0.4	0.6	−0.2	22%	4% car	—	0	1	4%	0	0%
Jamie GillanCLE · —	0.0	0.6	−0.6	—	4% car	—	0	1	4%	0	0%
Michael BurtonKC · RB	0.2	0.6	−0.4	—	4% car	—	0	1	4%	0	0%

Team totals: Browns 27 targets and 26 carries; Chiefs 34 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Baker Mayfield

CLE · QB · 13.6 pts on 13.0 expected

21 of 28 passing for 321 yards, 1 interception; 1 carry for 7 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Patrick Mahomes Ran hot

KC · QB · 33.3 pts on 19.0 expected

27 of 36 passing for 337 yards, 3 touchdowns; 5 carries for 18 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 19.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Patrick Mahomes →

Nick Chubb Ran hot

CLE · RB · 22.1 pts on 13.0 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 18 yards; 15 carries (58% of the team's) for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Jarvis Landry Ran hot

CLE · WR · 19.4 pts on 9.7 expected

5 targets (19% of the team's), 5 catches for 71 yards; 2 carries (8% of the team's) for 13 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Tyreek Hill Ran hot

KC · WR · 37.1 pts on 25.9 expected

15 targets (44% of the team's), 11 catches for 197 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 4 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 25.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Volume, no payoff

KC · RB · 10.2 pts on 14.0 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 3 catches for 29 yards; 14 carries (61% of the team's) for 43 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.0 expected.

Travis Kelce Ran hot

KC · TE · 25.6 pts on 11.8 expected

7 targets (21% of the team's), 6 catches for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Travis Kelce →

Kareem Hunt Ran hot

CLE · RB · 17.1 pts on 8.9 expected

3 targets (11% of the team's), 3 catches for 28 yards; 6 carries (23% of the team's) for 33 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 8.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Browns defense and Chiefs defense
Points allowed to	Browns D	Chiefs D
QBs	16.7	20.2
RBs	21.5	23.6
WRs	28.6	31.1
TEs	12.6	12.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Kansas City opened at 66% win probability, fell as low as 7%, then rallied to win.

Chiefs win probability

Key Swings

−25Chubb 4-yd TD run65% → 40%Q1 7:53
+25Mahomes → Kelce, 11-yd TD11% → 36%Q3 7:27
−35Hunt 2-yd TD run43% → 8%Q4 10:24
+35Mahomes → Hill, 75-yd TD7% → 42%Q4 10:10
+46Mahomes → Kelce, 8-yd TD39% → 84%Q4 7:04

Swing in Chiefs win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Browns vs Chiefs
Cleveland Browns	Measure	Kansas City Chiefs
56	Plays	61
54%	Pass rate	62%
10.1	Yds / dropback	8.5
5.9	Yds / carry	3.2
2/7	Third downs	9/13

Efficiency edge Kansas City ran 5 more plays than Cleveland.

Top targets
CLE Schwartz 19% · Njoku 19% · Landry 19%
KC Hill 44% · Kelce 21% · Edwards-Helaire 9%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Browns vs Chiefs
Result	CLE	KC
Touchdowns	4	4
Field goals	0	2
Punts	1	2
Turnovers	2	0
Turnovers on downs	1	0

KC turnover edge: +2

The Browns opened the scoring on their first possession, a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
The Chiefs drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to eight minutes.

All 18 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
CLE	Q1 15:00	13	75	7:07	Touchdown
KC	Q1 7:53	10	71	6:02	Field goal
CLE	Q1 1:51	6	75	3:23	Touchdown
KC	Q2 13:28	12	75	6:58	Touchdown
CLE	Q2 6:30	6	81	3:35	Touchdown
KC	Q2 2:55	5	37	1:24	Punt
CLE	Q2 1:31	7	87	1:31	End of half
KC	Q3 15:00	14	75	7:33	Touchdown
CLE	Q3 7:27	3	27	1:31	Fumble
KC	Q3 5:56	10	28	5:24	Field goal
CLE	Q3 0:32	9	75	5:08	Touchdown
KC	Q4 10:24	1	75	0:14	Touchdown
CLE	Q4 10:10	4	-10	1:34	Downs
KC	Q4 8:36	3	15	1:32	Touchdown
CLE	Q4 7:04	3	3	1:44	Punt
KC	Q4 5:20	6	13	2:31	Punt
CLE	Q4 2:49	5	31	1:40	Interception
KC	Q4 1:09	2	-2	1:09	End of game

About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Browns vs Chiefs Head-to-Head

The Browns and Chiefs first met in 1971 and have played 29 times since.

All-time series: 16–11–2Chiefs lead, 29 meetings since 1971
Postseason: 1–0Chiefs won in 2020
Largest Browns win: 44–71977
Largest Chiefs win: 34–01990

Since 2021

2–0 Chiefs lead

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Chiefs win, B = Browns win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2024 Wk 15 Chiefs at Browns, 2024 Wk 15 recap Sun, Dec 15, 2024 KC 21 CLE 7 KC W
2021 Wk 1 Browns at Chiefs Sun, Sep 12, 2021 KC 33 CLE 29 KC W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Browns vs Chiefs
Browns	Stat	Chiefs
8-9	Record	12-5

20.5	Points per game	28.2

340.6	Yards per game	396.8

5.5	Yards per play	5.9

21.8	Points allowed per game	21.4

311.5	Yards allowed per game	368.9

Browns vs Chiefs Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: KC −5.5Chiefs failed to cover by 1.5
Total: 54.5Over: 62 points scored (by 7.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Chiefs	30.0	33	+3.0
Browns	24.5	29	+4.5

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Cleveland Browns

Against the spread: 1–0
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as underdog: 1–0
ATS on the road: 1–0

Kansas City Chiefs

Against the spread: 0–1
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as favorite: 0–1
ATS at home: 0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Browns and Chiefs in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Brown or a Chief, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Browns vs Chiefs Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Browns vs Chiefs Week 1 game?

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns 33–29 in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO, on September 12, 2021. See the Chiefs' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Browns vs Chiefs?

The final score was Chiefs 33, Browns 29. The Browns led 22–10 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 7, Chiefs 23.

What happened in the Browns vs Chiefs game?

Kansas City erased a 22–10 halftime deficit, outscoring Cleveland 23–7 after the break to win 33–29. Cleveland outgained the Chiefs 457–397. Tyreek Hill led all players with 11 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for 4 rushing yards. The Browns committed 2 turnovers, the Chiefs none.

What was the game-winning score in Browns vs Chiefs?

Patrick Mahomes' 8-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce with 7:04 left in the fourth quarter gave the Chiefs a 33–29 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Chiefs?

Tyreek Hill led the game with 37.1 PPR fantasy points, the WR2 of Week 1, on 11 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for 4 rushing yards. Patrick Mahomes was next with 33.3 (QB2).

Who led Browns vs Chiefs in passing, rushing and receiving?

Patrick Mahomes (KC) led all passers with 27 of 36 for 337 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nick Chubb (CLE) led in rushing with 15 carries for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tyreek Hill (KC) led in receiving with 11 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Tyreek Hill score against the Browns?

Tyreek Hill scored 37.1 points in PPR leagues, 31.6 in half-PPR and 26.1 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 1 of the 2021 season, on 11 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for 4 rushing yards. He drew 44% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Browns vs Chiefs?

Patrick Mahomes outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 33.3 PPR points on 19.0 xFP (+14.3). Clyde Edwards-Helaire fell furthest short, with 10.2 points on 14.0 xFP (−3.8). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Chiefs come back to beat the Browns?

The Chiefs' chances of winning fell as low as 7% in the fourth quarter. Patrick Mahomes' 8-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Patrick Mahomes' 8-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Browns vs Chiefs record?

The Chiefs lead the all-time series 16–11–2 across 29 meetings since 1971, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Browns and Chiefs last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 playoffs on January 17, 2021, when the Chiefs beat the Browns 22–17.

Have the Browns and Chiefs met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2020 playoffs. The Browns are 0–1 against the Chiefs in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Browns vs Chiefs?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Chiefs −5.5, making the Kansas City Chiefs 5.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 54.5. That implied about 30.0 points for the Chiefs and 24.5 for the Browns.

Did Browns vs Chiefs go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 54.5, and the teams combined for 62 points, 7.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Browns vs Chiefs?

The Browns covered as 5.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Chiefs −5.5. The final margin was 4 points.