The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to carry their momentum from clinching the AFC West into their Week 15 road matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. While the Chiefs stand atop the AFC with a 12-1 record, the Browns are amongst the league\u2019s worst teams at 3-10.<\/p>\n
But Kansas City\u2019s veteran offensive guard Trey Smith is quick to remind everyone that no NFL matchup should be taken for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the NFL, everyone\u2019s trying to fight, claw, and get the win,\u201d Smith told reporters after Friday\u2019s practice. \u201cRegardless of record, guys are playing with pride. As a football player, if I was on the worst team in the league \u2014 anywhere \u2014 I\u2019m going to play my hardest no matter what happens. So I don\u2019t really think they\u2019ll play any different.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, the Browns have shown signs of life under quarterback Jameis Winston, who took over the starting job in Week 8. All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett anchors Cleveland\u2019s defense, which has also done its part in keeping the team competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re an excellent, talented team \u2014 and really physical up front,\u201d Smith observed of the Browns\u2019 defensive unit. \u201cThey do a good job of dictating the tempo in a lot of situations. They\u2019ve been playing some good ball this year \u2014 and it\u2019s the NFL. Everyone is great. You never take an opponent lightly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garrett \u2014 who sets the tone for the Browns\u2019 defense \u2014 is having another monster season. He has registered 11 sacks, which ranks second this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys like Myles \u2014 and players across the league \u2014 they\u2019re talents that you can see pop off in film,\u201d noted Smith. \u201cI just think they do a great job as a defensive unit of being physical, setting the tone and playing with effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Facing a tough defensive front like Cleveland\u2019s will be a challenge for the Chiefs \u2014 especially given this season\u2019s struggles on the offensive line. With new linemen rotating in and out of the lineup, Smith believes communication will be the key to handling the Browns\u2019 pass rush.<\/p>\n
\u201c[It\u2019s about] making sure all five are playing through the same set of eyes \u2014 seeing the same thing [and] speaking the same language,\u201d he said. \u201cOur coaches do a phenomenal job of making sure any man that\u2019s ready to play the position is going to go out there and play at a high level as well. It\u2019s just a cohesive unit thing \u2014 so over time, the comfort builds up and we just keep rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kansas City\u2019s starting right guard is preparing for a tough matchup against Cleveland \u2014 despite its 3-10 record.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":18146,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n