Game story
In the Wild Card of the 2020 NFL season on 2021-01-17, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 22–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -5.88 total EPA, and +0.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+10.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (13:57) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +10.91 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 2 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +6.58 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 3 T. Hill · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +6.48 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 4 A. Hooper · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
- 5 B. Mayfield · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +3.91 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
- 6 D. Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.77 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 7 M. Hardman · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
- 8 K. Hunt · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +3.33 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Mahomes — KC · Passing
P. Mahomes posted the highest total EPA (+10.91) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Kansas City Chiefs's efficiency. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.34 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.39 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (14:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 80-J.Landry INTERCEPTED by 32-T.Mathieu at CLE 36. 32-T.Mathieu pushed ob at CLE 19 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Kansas City Chiefs — P. Mahomes
- Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass)
- Cleveland Browns — J. Landry (B. Mayfield pass)
- Cleveland Browns — K. Hunt
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — C. Parkey
- Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker
- Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker
- Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 6–3. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q1 54:16) — (9:16) 15-P.Mahomes right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 28 (Q1 47:46) — (2:46) 2-C.Parkey 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..
The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 13–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 20 (Q2 43:57) — (13:57) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 43:48) — 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 32 (Q2 33:14) — (3:14) 7-H.Butker 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 10 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 7-H.Butker 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..
The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q3 24:34) — (9:34) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 80-J.Landry for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q3 24:29) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 15 (Q3 19:28) — (4:28) 7-H.Butker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 3 (Q4 11:11) — (11:11) 27-K.Hunt right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 11:07) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 43:57) — (13:57) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 31:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 82-R.Higgins to KC 1 for 25 yards (49-D.Sorensen). FUMBLES (49-D.Sorensen), ball out of bounds in End Zone, Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:02) — (6:02) 6-B.Mayfield up the middle to CLE 31 for 2 yards (54-D.Wilson).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 11:11) — (11:11) 27-K.Hunt right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 47:37) — (2:37) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 17-M.Hardman to CLE 33 for 42 yards (95-M.Garrett).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 29:51) — (14:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 80-J.Landry INTERCEPTED by 32-T.Mathieu at CLE 36. 32-T.Mathieu pushed ob at CLE 19 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 31:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 82-R.Higgins to KC 1 for 25 yards (49-D.Sorensen). FUMBLES (49-D.Sorensen), ball out of bounds in End Zone, Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 8:10) — (8:10) 4-C.Henne pass deep right intended for 11-D.Robinson INTERCEPTED by 42-K.Joseph at CLE -4. Touchback.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 43:57) — (13:57) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 42 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +0.0% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -5.88 total EPA
- P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 32 dropbacks · 65.6% completion · +2.1% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +10.91 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.063 | +0.103 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.1% | 49.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.140 | +0.260 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.435 | +0.028 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.103 | -0.063 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.6% | 57.9% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns +0.06, Kansas City Chiefs +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cleveland Browns: 8 drives, +4.76 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Kansas City Chiefs: 8 drives, +8.17 total EPA, 5 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.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 54:16 · CLE 1 · Score 0-6
(9:16) 15-P.Mahomes right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q1 47:46 · KC 28 · Score 3-6
(2:46) 2-C.Parkey 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 43:57 · CLE 20 · Score 3-12
(13:57) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 43:48 · CLE 15 · Score 3-13
7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 33:14 · CLE 32 · Score 3-16
(3:14) 7-H.Butker 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · CLE 10 · Score 3-19
(:05) 7-H.Butker 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 24:34 · KC 4 · Score 9-19
(9:34) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 80-J.Landry for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 24:29 · KC 15 · Score 10-19
2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 19:28 · CLE 15 · Score 10-22
(4:28) 7-H.Butker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 11:11 · KC 3 · Score 16-22
(11:11) 27-K.Hunt right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 11:07 · KC 15 · Score 17-22
2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs?
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns 22-17 in Wild Card, 2020 on 2021-01-17.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 17, Kansas City Chiefs 22 (CLE 17-22 KC) in Wild Card, 2020 on 2021-01-17.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 3, Kansas City Chiefs 6; Q2: Cleveland Browns 0, Kansas City Chiefs 13; Q3: Cleveland Browns 7, Kansas City Chiefs 3; Q4: Cleveland Browns 7, Kansas City Chiefs 0; Final: Cleveland Browns 17, Kansas City Chiefs 22.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs?
Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — P. Mahomes (Q1 54:16) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 43:57) Cleveland Browns touchdown — J. Landry (B. Mayfield pass) (Q3 24:34) Cleveland Browns touchdown — K. Hunt (Q4 11:11) Cleveland Browns field goal — C. Parkey (Q1 47:46, 3 pts) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — H. Butker (Q2 33:14, 3 pts) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — H. Butker (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — H. Butker (Q3 19:28, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs?
B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns), 54.8% completion, +0.0% CPOE, -0.14 EPA per dropback, -5.88 total passing EPA. P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), 65.6% completion, +2.1% CPOE, +0.34 EPA per dropback, +10.91 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs?
P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) led the game in total EPA with +10.91 on passing plays. across 32 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.39 EPA): (14:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 80-J.Landry INTERCEPTED by 32-T.Mathieu at CLE 36. 32-T.Mathieu pushed ob at CLE 19 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).. The biggest win-probability swing was +10.3%.
Was Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Kansas City Chiefs won 22-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 12-5 Now 12-6 L
Kansas City Chiefs
Entered 14-2 Now 15-2 W
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