Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2021 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-09-12, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 33–29 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +23.00 total EPA, and +15.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.00 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-26.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (1:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left intended for 88-H.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Hughes [49-D.Sorensen] at KC 42. 21-M.Hughes to KC 42 for no gain (88-H.Bryant).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +23.00 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Hill · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +12.76 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +10.18 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Mayfield · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +9.99 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Schwartz · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +3.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.36 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Hooper · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb (Q1 52:58)
• Cleveland Browns — J. Landry (Q2 43:33)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Mahomes (Q2 36:40)
• Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb (Q2 33:01)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 22:33)
• Cleveland Browns — K. Hunt (Q4 10:28)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 10:24)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 7:08)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 46:55)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q3 15:36)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 8–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q1 52:58) — (7:58) 24-N.Chubb left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns registered a safety from the KC 1 (Q1 52:53) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 27-K.Hunt rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 10 (Q1 46:55) — (1:55) 7-H.Butker 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 14–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 5 (Q2 43:33); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 43:28) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 5 (Q2 36:40) — (6:40) 15-P.Mahomes scrambles right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 36:30) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 18 (Q2 33:01) — (3:01) 24-N.Chubb left end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 32:55) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 10–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 11 (Q3 22:33) — (7:33) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 22:27) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 25 (Q3 15:36) — (:36) 7-H.Butker 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 13–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 2 (Q4 10:28) — (10:28) 27-K.Hunt left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 10:24) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 75 (Q4 10:24) — (10:24) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-J.Elliott].; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 10:10) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 8 (Q4 7:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:16) — (1:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left intended for 88-H.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Hughes [49-D.Sorensen] at KC 42. 21-M.Hughes to KC 42 for no gain (88-H.Bryant). [WPA -26.5% · EPA -1.97]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 10:24) — (10:24) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-J.Elliott]. [WPA +20.5% · EPA +6.03]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 8:42) — (8:42) (Punt formation) 7-J.Gillan FUMBLES (Aborted) at CLE 10, and recovers at CLE 11. 7-J.Gillan to CLE 15 for 4 yards (85-M.Kemp). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -3.34]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 21:03) — (6:03) 24-N.Chubb right end to KC 48 for 4 yards (22-J.Thornhill). FUMBLES (22-J.Thornhill), RECOVERED by KC-56-B.Niemann at KC 47. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -5.42]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 7:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +2.59]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 10:24) — (10:24) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-J.Elliott]. [WPA +20.5% · EPA +6.03]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 21:03) — (6:03) 24-N.Chubb right end to KC 48 for 4 yards (22-J.Thornhill). FUMBLES (22-J.Thornhill), RECOVERED by KC-56-B.Niemann at KC 47. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -5.42]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 43:33) — (13:33) 80-J.Landry left end to KC 1 for 4 yards (98-T.Wharton; 38-L.Sneed). CLE-71-J.Wills was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Cleveland challenged the short of the goal line rul [WPA +3.9% · EPA +3.36]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 8:42) — (8:42) (Punt formation) 7-J.Gillan FUMBLES (Aborted) at CLE 10, and recovers at CLE 11. 7-J.Gillan to CLE 15 for 4 yards (85-M.Kemp). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -3.34]

Quarterback report card

P.Mahomes led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +15.9% CPOE · +0.51 EPA/play · +23.00 total EPA
• B.Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 32 dropbacks · 65.6% completion · +14.2% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +9.99 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs +0.18), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Cleveland Browns: 9 drives, +13.51 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 9 drives, +18.97 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Mahomes (KC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Mayfield (CLE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 52:58 · KC 4 · Score 6-0
   (7:58) 24-N.Chubb left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cleveland Browns Safety (+2) — Q1 52:53 · KC 1 · Score 8-0
   TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 27-K.Hunt rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
3. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 46:55 · CLE 10 · Score 8-3
   (1:55) 7-H.Butker 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
4. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 43:33 · KC 5 · Score 14-3
   (13:33) 80-J.Landry left end to KC 1 for 4 yards (98-T.Wharton; 38-L.Sneed). CLE-71-J.Wills was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Cleveland c
5. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 43:28 · KC 15 · Score 15-3
   3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
6. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 36:40 · CLE 5 · Score 15-9
   (6:40) 15-P.Mahomes scrambles right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 36:30 · CLE 15 · Score 15-10
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
8. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 33:01 · KC 18 · Score 21-10
   (3:01) 24-N.Chubb left end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 32:55 · KC 15 · Score 22-10
   3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 22:33 · CLE 11 · Score 22-16
    (7:33) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 22:27 · CLE 15 · Score 22-17
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
12. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 15:36 · CLE 25 · Score 22-20
    (:36) 7-H.Butker 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
13. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 10:28 · KC 2 · Score 28-20
    (10:28) 27-K.Hunt left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 10:24 · KC 15 · Score 29-20
    3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 10:24 · CLE 75 · Score 29-26
    (10:24) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-J.Elliott].
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 10:10 · CLE 15 · Score 29-27
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
17. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 7:08 · CLE 8 · Score 29-33
    (7:08) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.