20. Cleveland 51, Pittsburgh 0
Rate It:
?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
+20
Sept
10, 1989 - This game made the list just on the pure domination
factor. Following a heart-breaking loss to the Oilers in the wild-card
game the year before, everyone had high hopes for the Browns in
the 1989 season. Cleveland opened that season against their biggest
rivals, the Steelers, and proceeded to whoop their butts. Game
review to come soon.
19. Cleveland 44, Miami Seahawks
0
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
Sept
6, 1946 - This was the first ever game for the Browns and
it demonstrated the dominance that would span two decades, two leagues,
and two coaches. Most of the 60,135 fans that attended the game
probably didn't know that they would be witnessing the historical
moment this game became. Read
the Game Review Here.
18. Miami 24, Cleveland 21
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
January
4, 1986 - The Browns made the playoffs for the first time
since the strike shortened 1982 season. Even with a pair of 1,000
yard rushers and rookie sensation quarterback Bernie Kosar, they
came into this game as heavy underdogs. The first two and a half
quarters of this game were unbeleiveably spectacular, so unbeleiveable
that you just knew something was going to go wrong. Read
the Game Review Here.
17. Cleveland 30, Denver 29
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
October
8, 1990 - After the Broncos beat the Browns for the 3rd time
in 4 years in the AFC Championship Game, this was Cleveland's first
chance to exact revenge on the pesky Denver squad. This Monday nighter
was back and forth all the way until the final gun sounded, and
Jerry Kauric became a Cleveland hero (although only for just one
week). Game review to come soon.
16. Cleveland 30, Cincinnati 27
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
October
11, 1970 - This game marked the return of legendary coach
and founder Paul Brown. Art Modell had fired Brown after the 1962
season, and Brown was subsequently elected to the Hall of Fame.
Brown then went on to found the Bengals, becoming part owner and
coach, much the same way he did with the Browns. This game was hyped
the match between teacher (Brown) and student (Blanton Collier).
The game lived up to it's billing, and turned out to be one of the
great regular season contests since the merger. Read
the Game Review Here.
15. Cleveland 21, New Orleans
16
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
October
31, 1999 - The NFL return of the Browns saw many fans hoping
for a 7-9 record for their comeback campaign. But my mid-season,
these hopes were dashed, as Clevelanders just hoped that the hometown
boys would win a game. Things were not looking good for them coming
into week 8 of that season, but Tim Couch's Hail Mary bomb with
the clock reading triple-zero changed all of that. This would have
been the best game in history if it would have happened against
the Steelers in week one. Read
the Game Review Here.
14. Cleveland 23, Pittsburgh 20
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
September
17, 2000 - This game made the list for three reasons. First,
it was the first win ever for the team at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Secondly, it put the Browns at 2-1 for the season, and gave a glimour
of hope for a playoff year. And third, it was one helluva game that
came down a last second goal line stand by the Cleveland defense.
Game review to come soon.
13. Cleveland 30, Los Angeles
28
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
December
24, 1950 - This was the very first NFL Championship for Cleveland.
Most newspaper and radio analysts had the Browns pegged for an average
team that dominated a poor league (the AAFC) for 4 years. Cleveland
went on to tie for the division crown, beat the Giants in a playoff
game, and face the team that left Cleveland for the west coast 4
years ago. For a time, it looked as if the Browns weren't going
to pull it off, but all-time great QB Otto Graham led the team down
the field and won the game. Read
the Game Review Here.
12. Cleveland 38, Dallas 14
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
December
28, 1969 - An aging Cleveland team came into this contest
as heavy underdogs against the Cowboys. This game would decide who
went to the NFL title game, and ultimately, who would get a shot
at Super Bowl IV. Cleveland's best years were most definately behind
them, and the media said they would have to play a perfect game
to outlast the Cowboys. They did, and provided fans with one last
championship memory. Read
the Game Review Here.
11. Cleveland 42, Chicago 21
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
This first regular season
meeting ever between the two clubs wouldn't seem like it was very
memorable, but what made this game so great was the fact that Dub
Jones, a speedy little halfback/receiver, tied the NFL record for
most touchdowns in one game. Fans watching this game distinctly
remember hoping that he would get one more touch, first to tie,
then to break that record. It was a game watched from the edge of
the Lazy Boy, when you weren't on your feet. That's why it made
our list. Read the
Game Review Here.
10. Cleveland 28, New York 28
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
November
23, 1947 - The Browns had a heated rivalry with the Yankees
of the AAFC in the '40s. Cleveland always seemed to outlast them,
though. Going into this game, the Browns were riding a 5 game winning
streak, and the Yanks were just a step behind with a 9-2 overall
record. This game proved to be perhaps the greatest comeback in
Browns history as they were down 28-7 midway through the 3rd. Read
how Otto Graham brought them back, and how the tying TD almost didn't
matter anyway.
9. Cleveland 49, Buffalo 7
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
December
19, 1948 - The Browns were attempting to do what no other
pro football team ever had; go through an entire regular season
undefeated and win the championship game. Chicago had gone loss-less
twice before, but lost the crowning game both times. Cleveland came
into this game with a 23 game unbeaten streak, and although this
blowout happened exactly as planned, it continues to be a great
game because of the history surrounding it. Read
the Game Review Here.
8. Cleveland 56, Detroit 10
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
December
27, 1954 - For the previous two years, Detriot had handed
the Browns thier hat in the NFL title game. But in 1954, Cleveland
would exact some revenge and in a big way. This game was special
because it was to be Otto Graham's last (even though he came back
in '56). Read
the Game Review Here.
7. Denver 23, Cleveland 20
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
January
11, 1987 - This game has been regretfully rememberd as "The
Drive." The Browns were as close to a Super Bowl as they have
been since the 60's, and had just come off of a dramatic double-overtime
playoff win versus the Jets. With just 5:11 left on the clock and
the ball on the 2 yard line, John Elway drove the Broncos 98 yards
for the tying score. Even though this game was a heart-breaker,
the energy during the game was absolutely electric, and that's why
it made our list. Read
the Game Review Here.
6. Pittsburgh 43, Cleveland 0
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
September
12, 1999 - This game had been highly anticipated for 4 years.
The return of the Browns to the NFL was televised nationally on
ESPN Sunday Night Football. The game took place in the bran new
Cleveland Browns Stadium, and fans everywhere were going nuts. This
game was the fairy tale ending to a quest Clevelanders embarked
on to bring the Browns back to their rightful home. If this game
had a fairy tale ending of it's own, it would have definately been
in the top 2 or 3. Read
the Game Review Here.
5. Cleveland 8, New York 3
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
December
17, 1950 - This was the first playoff game for the under-rated
Browns. New York had beaten the Browns twice during the regular
season, and to the national media, was proof that the Browns really
were just a better than average team at best. The Giants came to
Cleveland, and the teams battled in a defensive game. A late game
goal line stand, which was one of the best in NFL history, preserved
a tie, and the Browns went on to victory. Read
about that goal line stand, and the rest of the game here.
4. Cleveland 34, Buffalo 30
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
January
6, 1990 - In 1989, Cleveland once again had Super Bowl aspairations.
The Browns made it through the regular season and found themselves
hosting the Bills in a divisional playoff game. This game had all
the elements of a classic. It was a back and forth high scoring
playoff game that came down to the wire. The outcome remained in
question with just seconds left. Read
how the Browns fought off the Bills last-gasp efforts to win the
game.
3. Cleveland 35, Philladelphia
10
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
September
16, 1950 - For four years, the Browns had dominated the AAFC,
and for four years, they had been ridiculed nationally for playing
weak opponents. When the defunct league was absorbed by the NFL
for the 1950 season, the scheduling gods of the NFL pitted the 1949
champion Philladelphia Eagles hosting the upstart Browns. This was
going to be the game that proved the national critics right. That
wasn't to be, however, as the Browns dominated from start to finish.
The historical significance and the final outcome make this game
one of the greatest ever. Read
the Game Review Here.
2. Cleveland 27, Baltimore 0
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
December
27, 1964 - This game makes this list so high simply because
it is the only championsip that many fans remember the Browns winning,
and because it's the last one they have won. The Browns totally
dominated the favored Colts, and were even accused of running up
the score on old Johnny U. Read
the Game Review Here.
1. Cleveland 23, New York 20
(2OT)
Rate It:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
January 3, 1987 - Is there any other, really? This
was by far and away the best ever. C'mon, a double-over time playoff
game where the good guys battle back from 10 down late in the 4th?
Everything from broadcaster Doug Deiken saying "...If you left
thinking it was over, you'd better turn around!" to Mark Gasteneau's
game saving roughing penalty, this game had destiny written all
over it. It was one like none other, and has withstood the test
of time, remaining the best ever after 15 years. Read
the Game Review Here.
Honorable Mentions, in no
particular order:
"The Fumble"
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
"Red Right 88"
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
1946
Championship
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
1948
Championship
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
First Monday Night Game
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
Turkey Jones and Dave Mays
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
Do you have one in mind that isn't above, List it:
and Rate it:
? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 +20
Keep in mind:
You can rate 2 games, 5, or 20, or as many of them as you want.
