Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will take on the Cleveland Brown in Week 15. Mahomes had an underwhelming performance last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 29-year-old passed for 210 yards and one touchdown in Week 14. Mahomes will now face the Browns, who rank 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season. With Jameis Winston at the helm for the Browns offense, the potential for a high-scoring game is on the table. If the Cleveland passing attack can push the pace and score against the Chiefs, Mahomes may need to perform at a higher level than usual. The issue with the Kansas City offense this season has been the lack of ceiling performances, but a matchup with Cleveland could be what fantasy managers need in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Mahomes is ranked QB13 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, just outside the QB1 range. Fantasy managers will have to hope for a high-scoring game this weekend.

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing kicker Matthew Wright on Saturday, according to a source. It means that Harrison Butker (knee) is expected to be activated from Injured Reserve to make his return in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. Even though Wright was the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 14 -- the 28-year-old made eight of his nine field goals in his two games with KC -- he will now be back on the open market with four games to go in the regular season. Butker was listed as questionable for this Sunday's game against the Browns, but it's looking like he'll be active as KC's placekicker. Fantasy managers that haven't been happy with their kicking position should take a look at adding Butker if he's available on the waiver wire, even though he'll be a bit more risky in his first game back since Week 10.

Per the NFL's Ian Rapoport, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) should make his return by the end of the regular season. The veteran wideout has been out since the preseason after sustaining an SC-Joint injury (sternoclavicular) that required surgery to heal correctly. Brown gained final clearance from his surgeon on Thursday, and Kansas City opened his 21-day practice window just a day later. Though he has been ruled out for Sunday's road tilt against the Cleveland Browns, Rapoport noted that the team intends to attempt to get him up to speed during the last few weeks of the regular season so that he'll be rounding into form for the playoffs. It's undoubtedly good to see the 27-year-old return to the Chiefs. However, as of now, he'll be a long shot to contribute during the fantasy playoffs.

Unsurprisingly, the Kansas City Chiefs ruled out wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) from Week 15 action on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Brown had his 21-day practice window opened on Friday to be activated from Injured Reserve. He was listed as a limited participant in his first official practice of the year after needing surgery for a shoulder injury he suffered back in the preseason. The 27-year-old will need to continue to make progress, and if he does, he could be on track to make his Chiefs debut next weekend against the Houston Texans. Brown joined the Chiefs in the offseason and was expected to be one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top targets. Hollywood is probably worth stashing if you have the room in fantasy leagues and continue to advance in the playoffs, but KC is going to play it safe with Brown, so temper expectations if he returns in Week 16.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Butker was able to participate in practice all week as a limited participant and could snap his four-game absence. Butker is the injured reserve following their Week 10 victory over the Denver Broncos with a meniscus tear. While sidelined, the Chiefs have turned to Matthew Wright to operate as the top kicker during Weeks 13 and 14. Over these two games, Wright has gone 8-for-9 on attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Butker's status over the weekend, as Butker would be a bona fide K1 if he returns to action. If he can play, he would face the Browns, who have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing kickers this season. If not, Wright would draw his third-straight start.