The Chiefs come to Cleveland Sunday riding an emotional wave after a huge win in their opener Monday night against division-rival San Diego.
Monday night's rain-soaked victory over San Diego was a much-needed quick start for second-year Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.• Browns vs. Kansas City, Sunday, 1 p.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium. TV: WOIO Ch. 19; Radio: WMMS FM/100.7
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Like the Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs had one of those "bigger than it should've been" season openers Monday night.
Unlike the Browns, the Chiefs came through and finished the job, out-gutting the division rival San Diego Chargers in the driving rain, 21-14. It was their first victory in Game 1 since 2005.
Kansas City's opener was extraordinarily important for a variety of reasons.
The Chiefs, like most NFL teams, are experiencing slow ticket sales. They needed a good showing in the first real game of renovated Arrowhead Stadium to stir a buzz. Mission accomplished there. The revved-up crowd restored Arrowhead as one of the NFL's loudest stadiums, a distinction it lost after successive seasons of 4-12, 2-14 and 4-12.
Also, the team needed to perform to inspire confidence in the GM Scott Pioli-coach Todd Haley regime.
Pioli's fan-unfriendly methods learned under Bill Belichick did not go over well during his 4-12 debut season. But it will be easier to swallow if the team wins. Plus, the Chiefs got immediate dividends from a potentially banner rookie draft class, which will gain Pioli equity.
First draft pick Eric Berry has been a noticeable contributor in an improved run defense. Second-round pick Dexter McCluster broke a franchise record with a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown. Nickel back Javier Arenas, another second-round pick, also had two punt returns over 20 yards.
And tight end Tony Moeaki, a third-round pick, led the team in receptions and scored a touchdown in his first game.
There are still questions to be answered about the Chiefs, not the least of which is whether quarterback Matt Cassel is capable of being "the guy." Another one is whether the Chiefs can respond from an emotional, gut-wrenching win -- they preserved it with a four-play, goal-line stand at the end -- in a road game on a short work week.
But they are 1-0. And in the NFL, the statistics say that teams are twice as likely to make the playoffs when they're 1-0 than 0-1.
TONY GROSSI'S SCOUTING REPORT
Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Cleveland Browns Stadium
Record: 1-0
Last game: Beat Chargers, 21-14, Monday night, in Kansas City.
Coach: Todd Haley, 5-12, second year.
Series record: Browns lead, 10-9-2.
Last meeting: Browns won, 41-34, Dec. 20, in Kansas City.
Former Iowa star Tony Moeaki made his NFL debut a memorable one with a TD catch from Matt Cassel.League rankings: Offense is 29th (5th rushing, 31st passing), defense is 29th (18th rushing, 29th passing) and turnover differential is plus-1.
Offensive overview: They revealed little in preseason and rainy weather conditions Monday night further kept their plans under wraps. They are hamstrung, to a degree, by the continued slow development of their passing game. Quarterback Matt Cassel is still a work in progress and the lack of outside threats retarded his growth last year. But they're enthused with having Charlie Weis, an experienced play-caller, at the throttle. For now, their offense would seem to focus around a sound ground game of veteran Thomas Jones and scatback Jamaal Charles and the threat of using rookie receiver Dexter McCluster in multiple roles. Charles' 56-yard TD run and a TD catch by rookie tight end Tony Moeaki were the extent of the offense Monday night. The Chiefs practiced McCluster in the wildcat in training camp, but haven't shown it yet. He'll definitely be the "Dex Factor" of their offense.
Defensive overview: In new coordinator Romeo Crennel, they've added an experienced 3-4 disciple. Now they've got to fill in some pieces at nose tackle and with more speed. But it looks like they're on their way to fielding a better unit. Rookie Eric Berry had his NFL baptism Monday night, getting beat for a TD, but he'll help the run defense. Crennel's main project will be to swiftly develop ends Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey, and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson. Johnson fell out of favor last year, but looked poised for a big year in the win against San Diego. If Berry and fifth-round pick Kendrick Lewis mature quickly at safety, the secondary could be a strength. Corners Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr are a good tandem and nickel back Javier Arenas, yet another rookie, can play, too.
Special teams overview: This unit gave up two 100-plus yard kickoff returns to Josh Cribbs last season. But they've added their own lightning. McCluster had a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. San Diego and Arenas added returns of 36 and 24 yards. The coverage units last year were great -- except against Josh Cribbs. Kicker Ryan Succop, Mr. Irrelevant in 2009, is coming off a good rookie season and punter Dustin Colquitt is solid, notwithstanding a 7-yard punt in the driving rain Monday night.
Players to watch:
Dexter McCluster's 94-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Chargers was just one of a series of big plays provided by Kansas City's first-year players.• Running back Jamaal Charles: A game-breaker whose 658 yards over the last four games in 2009 led the NFL, though he was outshone by Jerome Harrison in their head-to-head meeting in December.
• Safety Eric Berry: The No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 draft had an active NFL debut, losing coverage on a long touchdown but also making an impact in the run defense.
• Receiver/returner Dexter McCluster: The pint-sized second-round pick paid instant dividends, returning a punt a franchise-record 94 yards for a touchdown in his debut. He'll develop into a multi-dimensional offensive game-breaker.
Injury report: DE Tyson Jackson (leg) had to leave the San Diego game.
Small world: General Manager Scott Pioli was a Browns scout from 1992-95 ... defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was Browns defensive coordinator in 2000 and head coach from 2005-08 ... Assistant head coach Maurice Carthon was Browns offensive coordinator 2005-06... defensive line coach Anthony Pleasant played for the Browns from 1990-95 ... Director of football administration Trip MacCracken is a Hudson native and worked for the Browns in different capacities from 1999-09 ... cornerback Travis Daniels played for the Browns in 2008 ... defensive lineman Shaun Smith played for the Browns 2007-08 ... receiver Chris Chambers attended Bedford High School ... linebacker Mike Vrabel attended Akron Walsh Jesuit High School and Ohio State.