NFL: The Chiefs come from behind to beat the Browns in a thriller

Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs opened their bid to claim the Super Bowl title they lost last year to Tom Brady led Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a matchup against Cleveland Browns on Sunday with a 33-29 come-from-behind victory.

Mahomes had rushed to score a five-yard touchdown but his team was trailing 10-22 against a stunning Browns display till halftime.

Nick Chubb scored two touchdowns and Jarvis Landry scored the other for the Browns as they looked to upset the runners-up of last season. 

The second half saw the Chiefs claw their way back into the game with a 10-0 third quarter and 13-7 fourth. 

Drama ensued in the stadium when the Browns’ safety Ronnie Harrison Jr was ejected in the first quarter against the Chiefs after shoving Kansas City assistant coach Greg Lewis during a scrum along the sideline.

Harrison was involved in tackling Clyde Edwards-Helaire with 4:59 left in the quarter along the Chiefs sideline. Lewis gave Harrison a light tug while trying to help Edwards-Helaire stand up, and Harrison responded by nearly shoving Lewis to the ground.

Referee Bill Vinovich initially flagged the Chiefs bench for unsportsmanlike conduct. But after huddling with the rest of the officiating crew, Vinovich announced that Harrison had been penalized and ejected from the game.

Some big names were unexpectedly inactive in the game, seen as a rematch of the divisional playoff game.

Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, who was expected back from a knee injury, tried warming up barefoot inside of Arrowhead Stadium but was unable to go. Donovan Peoples-Jones got the start in his place.

The Browns did have defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who missed time this week with an illness.

The Chiefs were missing three-time All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu, who came off the COVID-19 list on Saturday. He tested positive on September 1 but had been participating in meetings through Zoom and was listed as questionable to play Sunday.

The Chiefs also were without pass-rusher Frank Clark, who returned to practice this week from a hamstring injury.

(With AP inputs)