Cleveland linebacker Mack Wilson might have been involved in the most significant play in Sunday’s AFC postseason game, even though the Browns lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 22-17 in the Divisional Round.
Midway through the third quarter, the former Alabama standout brought down Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the 2018 NFL MVP struggled to get to his feet after the tackle.
Mahomes left the game with the Chiefs leading 19-10, and he did not return to the field after being evaluated for a concussion. Kansas City held on to advance to the AFC Championship Game with Chad Henne at quarterback.
Kansas City will play the Buffalo Bills for a spot in Super Bowl LV in one week. Will the defending NFL champion be at full strength with Mahomes under center or will Henne have to continue his relief role?
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett started his postgame press conference by saying he was “praying for Patrick” and added that “nobody on our team is head-hunting or going after a guy or trying to hurt a guy not matter how good he is.”
Garrett said he felt compelled to say that because “some of the guys” accused Wilson of a dirty play on the Mahomes tackle, including Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce.
“I’m cool with Travis,” Garrett said. “He’s been a good guy. I’ve hung with him a couple of times in the offseason, and I don’t ever want him to feel like my guys, my team is out here trying to injure somebody or put them out the game. We’re trying to put some bruises on you. We’re trying to hurt you. But we’re never trying to injure someone or take them out purposely. We’re trying to play like it’s supposed to be played with sportsmanship and integrity.”
Wilson’s tackle also enraged some Chiefs fans, who took to social media to accuse the linebacker of a dirty play. Mahomes did not seem to share that sentiment.
Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield said it was unfortunate Mahomes got hurt, but that wasn’t Wilson’s intent.
“I didn’t specifically see the hit, but Mack is not a dirty player,” Mayfield said. “That’s not the case, so if anybody truly thinks that that’s their own opinion, so they can have it that way. But like I said, I hope Pat’s OK, and like I said, Mack’s not like that.”
Mahomes completed 21-of-30 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for a TD, even though he suffered a foot injury early in the game that left him gimpy.
A game-changing play might have occurred in the second quarter when Cleveland wide receiver Rashard Higgins fumbled while trying to stretch the football over the goal line after a reception. Higgins lost the ball on a helmet-leading hit by Kansas City safety Daniel Sorenson, and the fumble went out of bounds in the end zone for a touchback.
Higgins’ fumble was the first lost by Cleveland inside the opponent’s 10-yard line in a playoff game since Earnest Byner lost what became known as “The Fumble” in the 1987 AFC Championship Game with the Browns trailing the Denver Broncos 38-31 with 1:12 to play.
Wilson was among seven players from Alabama high schools and colleges at the Cleveland-Kansas City game:
· Browns linebacker Tae Davis (Oxford) played but did not record any stats.
· Chiefs wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (Alabama) played but did not record any stats. Dieter was elevated from the Kansas City practice squad for Sunday’s game.
· Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) started at strong safety for the Browns. Harrison made three tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, and registered a quarterback hit.
· Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Chiefs. Hill caught eight passes for 110 yards and gained 9 yards on three rushing attempts. With Kansas City facing fourth-and-1 at its 48-yard line with 1:14 to play, the Chiefs went for it, and Henne completed a 5-yard pass to Hill for the game-sealing first down.
· Browns kicker Cody Parkey (Auburn) made his three attempts in the game. Parkey connected on a 46-yard field goal for Cleveland’s first points with 2:41 left in the first quarter and hit two extra points.
· Jedrick Wills (Alabama) started at left offensive tackle for the Browns. Wills’ rookie season ended early when he suffered an ankle injury on Cleveland’s first offensive snap, and he did not return to the game.
· Browns linebacker Mack Wilson (Carver-Montgomery, Alabama) made five tackles.
The Chiefs will play Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 24 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. CBS will televise the game.
The Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-3 on Saturday to advance.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Mack Wilson brings down Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during an NFL playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison hits Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during an NFL playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
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Cody Parkey kicks a field goal for the Cleveland Browns during an NFL playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
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