Nate Orchard

Browns linebacker Nate Orchard celebrates one of his two sacks against the San Francisco 49ers.

(Joshua Gunter, Cleveland.com)

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Nate Orchard made two big plays Sunday, including a memorable interception in which he and teammate Craig Robertson were tugging at the football like Christmas Eve shoppers in Wal-Mart fighting over a toy.

But it was a simple play on the Browns' final defensive series which might best illustrate progress for the Browns' rookie outside linebacker.

With the Chiefs facing a third-and-5 and looking to run out the clock, Alex Smith threw a screen pass to tight end Travis Kelce. Orchard sniffed out the Chiefs' intentions, shed a block and held up Kelce long enough for teammates to drop the Pro Bowler for a 1-yard gain.

"We needed a stop, and they threw the screen out to Kelce and Nate just wrecked it," coach Mike Pettine said. "He recognized pre-snap that it was potentially coming, he was downhill, ran right through a blocker and made a heck of a play. I just think it is coming with confidence, with repetition."

After a slow start to the season, the Browns' second-round draft pick is finishing with a flourish. He's registered his first three sacks in the past three games and has become more noticeable on the edges of the defense.

While most attention is understandably being paid to the fates of general manager Ray Farmer and Pettine this week, Orchard's development bears watching in the season finale against the Steelers.

The outside linebacking corps is in a state of flux. The futures of veteran Paul Kruger and former first-round pick Barkevious Mingo are uncertain. Armonty Bryant might face punishment from the NFL for possessing Adderall unless he can provide a prescription following a Christmas morning traffic stop.

That's why the late-season improvement of Orchard is an important storyline.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Nate Orchard (44) and linebacker Craig Robertson (53) combined for a memorable interception on Sunday in a 17-13 loss at Kansas City.

Will it carry over to 2016? Who knows? It was about this time a season ago where some were optimistic about the surge from rookie corner Pierre Desir. And, we've seen where that got the Browns when they needed him to step up in Joe Haden's absence.

The lesson: three decent games is a small sample size. But at least if Pettine says Orchard is "trending in the right direction," fans won't sprain their necks shaking their heads like they did with similar comments regarding Justin Gilbert.

Orchard's progress appears legit.

"That is what we talk about: eyes to the future," the coach said. "We are just thrilled that Nate has been able to get there and be on the learning curve that he is."

Orchard's transition from first-team All American at Utah to the pros has not been a smooth one. They never are for Browns' high draft picks, right?

The edge rusher was slowed by a back injury late in training camp and he suffered a loss of confidence typical with young players who don't see immediate success. He said fellow Utah alum Kruger and position coach Brian Fleury have aided him through times of self-doubt.

His breakout effort against the Niners, which included a pair of sacks, helped validate his hard work.

"Right after I got my first sack in the San Fran game I felt my confidence was back, I was able to get back in a groove," said Orchard, who recorded 18.5 sacks in his final year with the Utes. "I got close a couple times in that Seattle game and the situations I'm put in pass rush wise, I just have to get to the quarterback.

After (the first sack) . . . I knew that this is why they brought me here - one of the best pass rushers in this draft class. 'I know I can do this. This is what I'm here for' mentality and going out and do that . . . it's all good."

His first career interception against the Chiefs off a deflected pass generated plenty of chuckles. Orchard and Robertson took turns bobbling the ball before the rookie ripped it from his teammate's arms and returned it 46 yards in the 17-13 loss.

The two linebackers sat next to each other on the bus ride from the stadium back to the Kansas City airport and took some good-natured grief.

"Johnny (Manziel) walks in and he said, 'Hey, does it really take two guys to catch the football?'" Orchard recalled.

It produced a moment of levity in what otherwise has been a disappointing season for the Browns (3-12) and particularly their 26th-ranked defense.

Orchard wants to finish it with a flash and atone for 30-9 loss to the Steelers in which Ben Roethlisberger and his coterie of fleet receivers clowned the Browns' defense. That's probably asking too much given the state of the club and the rumors swirling about the franchise.

The last four full-time Browns' head coaches have been fired following season-ending losses to the Steelers.

"This year has been such a roller coaster, but to cap it off with a W at home against Pitt, I'm sure it would leave the fans happy, as well as players and coaches," he said.

With Bryant sidelined due to legal issues, Orchard figures to get plenty of opportunities Sunday. He needs to capitalize with a few more big plays. Maybe even produce another takeaway - this time from someone other than a teammate.