The Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t corral Jerome Harrison and Josh Cribbs the last time they played the Cleveland Browns.
Coming off a stunning Week 1 upset, the Chiefs hope their emerging playmakers can cause similar headaches for the Browns.
In a rematch of one of the most entertaining games of 2009, the Chiefs will try to start 2-0 for the first time in five years at Cleveland on Sunday.
The Chiefs and Browns had a combined five wins last season when they met on Dec. 20. Naturally, the game drew little interest from anyone not living in Cleveland or Kansas City.
As a result, many fans missed a wild shootout in which Harrison ran for a franchise-record 286 yards – the third-highest total in league history - and Cribbs returned a pair of kickoffs to lead the Browns to a 41-34 victory in Kansas City.
The Chiefs, who have just 10 wins since 2007, have developed some of their own explosive playmakers. That was never more evident than on Monday night.
Rookie Dexter McCluster set a franchise-record with a 94-yard punt return and third-year tailback Jamaal Charles had a 56-yard touchdown run in a stunning 21-14 win over the four-time AFC West Division champion San Diego Chargers.
More impressively, the Chiefs’ beleaguered defense sealed the win with a huge goal-line stand in the waning minutes. That may have been the most promising sign Kansas City is ready to make the climb back to respectability.
The Chiefs ranked 29th in total defense last season, but they held the Chargers to 3-of-14 on third down and limited prized rookie Ryan Mathews to 75 yards rushing on 19 carries.
The unit was led by linebacker Derrick Johnson, who forced a key fumble, and tackle Glenn Dorsey (six tackles, 0.5 sacks).
The improvement is a tribute to new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who is returning to Cleveland for the first time since the Browns fired him in 2008 after four seasons as head coach.
His primary goal will be to shut down the Browns’ biggest playmakers, Harrison and Cribbs. The electrifying duo was held in check in Sunday’s 17-14 loss to Tampa Bay. Harrison ran for 52 yards on nine carries while splitting time with Peyton Hillis.
Cribbs returned three kickoffs for 46 yards and three punts for 29 yards.
Cleveland will need more contributions out of the two if quarterback Jake Delhomme isn’t able to start.
Delhomme, who went 20-of-37 for 227 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his Cleveland debut, suffered a sprained ankle in the first half but never left the game.
He has been in a walking boot all week.
If Delhomme can’t go, Seneca Wallace will be called on to lead the Browns to their first home-opening win since 2004. Wallace has made 14 career starts in seven seasons with Seattle, including two in 2009.
Defensively, the Browns will try to avoid letting Matt Cassel burn them again. Cassel, who threw for just 68 yards on Monday, had a season-high 331 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns last December.
Cleveland may struggle, however, if massive defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is limited. Rogers has been bothered by hip and ankle injuries.