For 22 minutes and 18 seconds, the Chiefs defense labored in the second half on Sunday. The Browns, who ran 21 offensive plays in the first half, ran 47 in the second.
The Chiefs’ offense couldn’t stay on the field and the defense couldn’t get off, usually a formula for disaster.
And without Pro Bowl outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, the task became that much more complicated.
But the Chiefs came up with enough stops to post a 17-13 triumph that clinched a spot in the playoffs.
“Anytime you hold a team to 13 points in the NFL, that’s a victory on the defensive side, and we won the game,” linebacker Frank Zombo said.