EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 27: Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
Joel Bitonio will be ready to go for the Browns in their game against the Chiefs.
The Cleveland Browns were down head coach Kevin Stefanski and several key players against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their Wild Card matchup due to COVID-19, but Baker Mayfield rallied the troops and led the Browns to a stunning 48-37 win. Not only will the Browns have Stefanski back against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, but they will get a standout offensive lineman back in Joel Bitonio.
Bitonio has been activated from the COVID-19 list, meaning he is on track to start at his familiar left guard spot against Chris Jones and Kansas City.
Joel Bitonio helped make the Browns arguably the best offensive line in football
While Bitonio often was mired in anonymity next to Joe Thomas on some bad Browns teams, he has been one of the best guards in football for the last few seasons. Bitonio has been getting more publicity over the last few seasons, making three straight Pro Bowl appearances.
Bitonio and right guard Wyatt Teller were far and away the best guard tandem in the league, constantly opening up holes for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt while keeping Mayfield clean. With JC Tretter at center, rookie Jedrick Wills at left tackle, and All-Pro Jack Conklin on the right, Cleveland’s offensive line will need to put on a show against a very deep Chiefs defensive line.
Cleveland is coming off of a very emotional win against Pittsburgh, and they could be running into a buzzsaw in Kansas City. However, the potential for an upset is there, and it all depends on the Browns leaning on players like Bitonio against a Kansas City defense that has proven it can clamp down and make like hard when the calendar flips to January.