Who were the highest rated defenders against the Chiefs

The Cleveland Browns defense had a mixed performance during the 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Despite the end result, Cleveland’s defensive game plan was aligned with stopping the Chiefs’ offense. The team was able to bring down Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes 11 times, but we couldn’t get a sack. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson let this attack pass with five hits on the opposing quarterback. This was enough to limit their passing attack as Mahomes could only throw for 159 yards, while the receiver broke the 50 yard mark. The secondary also deserves credit for this solid pass defense work.

What the Browns failed to execute defensively was stop the other half of the Chiefs’ offense, their rushing attack. Kansas City had 136 rushing yards as a team along with a touchdown from rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Yet that’s where Brown linebacker Jordan Hicks made most of his nine total tackles, leading Cleveland’s defense.

Now let’s take a look at the Cleveland Browns’ highest-rated PFF defenders in their Week 15 loss:

December 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, United States; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Overall: 90.8

Run Defense: 64.5

Pass rush: 90.4

(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Overall: 83.3

Run defense: 67.3

Coverage: 76.9

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Isaiah McGuire #57 of the Cleveland Browns attends the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Overall: 79.7

Run defense: 81.7

Pass rush: 60.3

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 24: Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs #53 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline during an NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 24, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)

Overall: 74.1

Run defense: 68.6

Pass rush: 66.3

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Jordan Hicks #58 of the Cleveland Browns tackles DeAndre Hopkins #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Overall: 70.8

Run defense: 71.8

Coverage: 66.4

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Ronnie Hickman #33 and Martin Emerson Jr. #23 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after the Kansas City Chiefs failed to gain a first down during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Overall: 68.0

Run defense: 67.9

Coverage: 63.8

December 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, United States; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) reacts after a play during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Overall: 65.8

Run defense: 67.8

Pass rush: 59.0

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: DeAndre Hopkins #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches a pass against Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Overall: 64.5

Run defense: 68.6

Coverage: 62.4

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against Grant Delpit #9 of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Overall: 62.0

Run defense: 64.8

Coverage: 60.3

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Shelby Harris #93 of the Cleveland Browns tackles Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Overall: 60.9

Run Defense: 55.5

Pass rush: 67.5