Four Reasons Why the Kansas City Chiefs Beat the Cleveland Browns

The Kansas City Chiefs traveled to Cleveland on Sunday and were able to escape with a nail-biting 16-14 victory.

It wasn't the prettiest of victories, even by head coach Todd Haley's account, but the Chiefs were still able to get the job done on the road.

There are many reasons why the Chiefs were able to beat the Browns and I decided to look at a few of them in this feature.

Tony Moeaki Made Life Easier For Matt Cassel

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Tight end Tony Moeaki of Iowa runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Moeaki, the third-round pick out of Iowa, had a great game on Sunday as he lead the team in receptions with five, and also lead the team in receiving yards with 58 on the day.

He looked very good in his routes, and also has great hands for a tight end. He is starting to emerge as a go-to receiver for QB Matt Cassel, which was what the organization thought that they would be getting when the drafted him last April.

They Kept Josh Cribbs Out Of the Return Game

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Wide receiver Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs by wide receiver Jeremy Horne #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

The Chiefs elected to not take a chance on Browns Pro Bowl returner Josh Cribbs burning them like he did in '09.

KC kicker Ryan Succop often kicked it short, so that Cribbs wouldn't be able to field it, and he only ended up with two returns for 24 when the day was over. Limiting Cribbs and the Cleveland return game was huge as it shut down one solid phase of the Browns overall attack.

The Run Defense Played Strong

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - AUGUST 13: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 13, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kansas City completely shut down Jerome Harrison with a much improved rush defense that limited the Cleveland back to a measly 33 yards on 16 carries.

The team only gave up 40 more rushing yards to the Browns, and a more focused defense lead by new coordinator Romeo Crennel and rookie Eric Berry are to thank for this. Berry was in the backfield constantly, as he finished the game with seven tackles, with two of them going for a loss.

Utilizing the 1-2 Punch At Running Back

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs dives for a first down against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Thomas Jones had has best day in a KC uniform as he went for 83 yards on 22 carries.

His teammate and current backup Jamaal Charles rushed for 49 yards on 11 attempts, including an impressive 20-yard scamper.

The Chiefs were projected to have a strong rushing attack heading into this season with the emerging Charles and the always steady Jones manning the position, and these two are carrying the offense right now.