A handful of Chiefs who will travel to Cleveland this weekend have been where the Browns are today when it comes to playing for an interim coach in his first game.
The Chiefs will work to prevent the success they enjoyed on that occasion.
In 2011, head coach Todd Haley was fired by the Chiefs after a 37-10 loss to the New York Jets. Three games remained in the season, and the Chiefs elevated defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to finish it out.
On Monday, the Browns fired Hue Jackson along with Haley, the Browns offensive coordinator, and named defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to the top job with an interim tag.
In each case, the team in coaching turmoil faced long odds the following week. The Browns are a nine-point underdog against the Chiefs on Sunday. Seven years ago, the Chiefs were an 11-point underdog to the visiting Green Bay Packers, who carried a 13-0 record into that game.
Does Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey, a rookie in 2011, remember what happened that day?
I know it happened after the Jets game and the following game was a home game, Bailey said. Who was it?
Reminded it was the Packers, and that the Chiefs pulled off the shocker, 19-14, behind quarterback Kyle Orton, Baileys recollection kicked in.
Oh, yeah, it was, Bailey said. It was a cold day. I remember that now. Got my first sack in that game, too.
Indeed. Bailey took down Aaron Rodgers in the fourth quarter to force a Packers punt. Everything seemed to go right for the Chiefs that afternoon.
Can the Browns pull off the same type of performance against a Chiefs team that now owns the AFCs best record at 7-1?
Its an unusual situation emotionally for a locker room, the Chiefs recalled.
I remember thinking I had to focus on how I can help my team get out of this hole, said Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, who was in his seventh season in 2011. I think if anything a situation like this helps guys unite. I have your back, you have mine. Whatever were missing, lets go figure it out.
Theres still a love and passion for the game.
