De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Saltar a navegación Saltar a búsqueda
Temporada 2020 de los  Cleveland Browns
DueñoJimmy Haslam
EntrenadorKevin Stefanski
Mike Priefer (HC interino para Wild Card Round después de que Stefanski dio positivo por COVID-19 )
gerente generalAndrew Berry
Campo de inicioEstadio FirstEnergy
Resultados
Registro11–5
Lugar de división3er AFC Norte
Final de playoffPlayoffs de comodines ganados (en Steelers ) 48–37 Playoffs divisionales
perdidos (en Chiefs ) 17–22
Jugadores de bolos profesionalesG Joel Bitonio
RB Nick Chubb
DE Myles Garrett
AP All-ProsOT Jack Conklin (1er equipo)
DE Myles Garrett (1er equipo)
G Joel Bitonio (2do equipo)
G Wyatt Teller (2do equipo)
Uniforme
Cleveland browns uniforms20.png

La temporada 2020 fue la 68 de los Cleveland Browns como miembro de la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano , la 72 en general y la primera con el gerente general Andrew Berry y el entrenador en jefe Kevin Stefanski . Los Browns mejoraron su récord de 6-10 de 2019 y terminaron 11-5, asegurando su primera temporada ganadora desde 2007 y su mejor desde su reactivación en 1999 . También terminaron con su récord de franquicia y su sequía de playoffs de 18 años, el más alto de la liga, llegando a los playoffs por primera vez desde 2002 . [1]

En la Ronda de Comodines, los Browns derrotaron a los Pittsburgh Steelers , 48–37, marcando su primera victoria en los playoffs desde la temporada 1994 . [2] La semana siguiente, los Browns fueron derrotados por los Kansas City Chiefs en la Ronda Divisional, 22-17, que acabó con las esperanzas de los Browns de regresar al juego de Campeonato de la AFC por primera vez desde 1989 .

Temporada baja [ editar ]

Cambios en la recepción [ editar ]

El 31 de diciembre de 2019, los Browns y el gerente general John Dorsey acordaron mutuamente separarse. [3] Dorsey se había desempeñado como gerente general de los Browns desde diciembre de 2017.

El 27 de enero de 2020, los Browns contrataron al ex vicepresidente de operaciones de fútbol de los Philadelphia Eagles , Andrew Berry, como gerente general. Berry se desempeñó anteriormente como vicepresidente de personal de jugadores de los Browns de 2016 a 2018. [4] A los 32 años, Berry se convirtió en el gerente general más joven en la historia de la NFL. [5]

El 29 de enero, los Browns y el vicepresidente de personal de jugadores Alonzo Highsmith y el asistente del gerente general Eliot Wolf acordaron mutuamente separarse después de la contratación de Berry. Ambos habían desempeñado sus funciones desde la contratación de Dorsey en 2017. [6]

Cambios de entrenamiento [ editar ]

El 29 de diciembre de 2019, los Browns despidieron al entrenador en jefe Freddie Kitchens . En una temporada como entrenador en jefe de los Browns, Kitchens registró un récord de 6-10 (.375). [7]

El 13 de enero de 2020, los Browns contrataron al asistente de los Minnesota Vikings , Kevin Stefanski, como entrenador en jefe. Stefanski se desempeñó como entrenador asistente de los Vikings de 2006 a 2019, lo que incluyó sus últimas dos temporadas allí como coordinador ofensivo. Esto marcó el primer trabajo de entrenador en jefe de Stefanski en la NFL. [8]

El 29 de enero, los Browns contrataron al ex entrenador de mariscales de campo de los Cincinnati Bengals , Alex Van Pelt, como coordinador ofensivo. Van Pelt, quien se desempeñó como coordinador ofensivo de los Buffalo Bills en 2009 , reemplazó a Todd Monken , quien no fue retenido por Stefanski. [9]

El 7 de febrero, los Browns contrataron al ex entrenador de backs defensivos de los San Francisco 49ers , Joe Woods, como coordinador defensivo. Woods, quien anteriormente se desempeñó como coordinador defensivo de los Denver Broncos de 2017 a 2018, reemplazó a Steve Wilks , quien no fue retenido por Stefanski. [10]

Cambios en la lista [ editar ]

Jugadores agregados [ editar ]

PosiciónJugadorEtiquetaEquipo 2019Fecha
DTAndrew BillingsUFABengals de Cincinnati19 de marzo [11]
DelawareAdrian ClaybornUFAHalcones de atlanta31 de marzo [12]
Antiguo TestamentoJack ConklinUFATitanes de Tennessee18 de marzo [11]
LBBJ GoodsonUFAEmpacadores de Green Bay20 de marzo [11]
TEAustin HooperUFAHalcones de atlanta18 de marzo [11]
CBKevin JohnsonUFABuffalo BillsMarch 19[11]
SKarl JosephUFAOakland RaidersMarch 19[11]
QBCase KeenumUFAWashington RedskinsMarch 18[11]
WRJoJo NatsonUFALos Angeles RamsMarch 19[11]
CBDonovan OlumbaUFADallas CowboysMarch 23[13]
SAndrew SendejoUFAMinnesota VikingsMarch 20[11]

Players lost[edit]

PositionPlayerTagDate lost2020 teamDate
SMorgan BurnettReleaseMarch 16[14]
CBT. J. CarrieReleaseFebruary 17[15]Indianapolis ColtsMarch 31[16]
TEDemetrius HarrisReleaseFebruary 17[15]Chicago BearsFebruary 20[17]
LBChristian KirkseyReleaseMarch 10[18]Green Bay PackersMarch 16[19]
GEric KushReleaseFebruary 17[15]Las Vegas RaidersMarch 30[20]
SEric MurrayUFAMarch 18Houston TexansMarch 21[21]
SDamarious RandallUFAMarch 18Las Vegas RaidersApril 3[22]
LBJoe SchobertUFAMarch 18Jacksonville JaguarsMarch 18[23]
TERicky Seals-JonesUFAMarch 18Kansas City ChiefsApril 3[24]
LBAdarius TaylorReleaseFebruary 17[15]Carolina PanthersJuly 27[25]

2020 draft class[edit]

Main article: 2020 NFL Draft
2020 Cleveland Browns Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
110Jedrick WillsOTAlabama
244Grant DelpitSLSUfrom Indianapolis
388Jordan ElliottDTMissourifrom New Orleans
97Jacob PhillipsILBLSUfrom Houston
4115Harrison BryantTEFlorida Atlantic
5160Nick HarrisCWashingtonfrom Indianapolis
6187Donovan Peoples-JonesWRMichiganfrom Arizona

Notes

  • Cleveland acquired a third round pick (No. 90) from Houston in exchange for RB Duke Johnson.[26]
  • Cleveland traded its fifth- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 155 and 188) to Buffalo in exchange for G Wyatt Teller and a 2021 seventh-round selection.[27]
  • Cleveland acquired a sixth-round selection (No. 187) from Arizona in exchange for CB Jamar Taylor.[28]
  • Cleveland acquired a seventh-round selection (No. 236) from Buffalo in exchange for WR Corey Coleman.[29]
  • Cleveland acquired a seventh-round selection (No. 244) and G Justin McCray from Green Bay in exchange for a seventh-round selection (No. 224)

Undrafted free agents[edit]

PlayerPositionCollegeSignedCut
Solomon AjayiLBLibertyApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Elijah BentonSLibertyApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Ja'Marcus BradleyWRLouisianaApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Tony BrownWRColoradoApril 25[30]
Kevin DavidsonQBPrincetonApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Drake DorbeckOTSouthern MissApril 25[30]August 6[32]
A.J. GreenCBOklahoma StateApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Brian HerrienRBGeorgiaApril 25[30]August 4
Jameson HoustonCBBaylorApril 25[30]
Benny LeMayRBCharlotteApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Jovante MoffattSMiddle Tennessee StateApril 25[30]September 5[31]
George ObinnaDESacramento StateApril 25[30]
Alex TaylorOTSouth Carolina StateApril 25[30]September 5[31]
Jeffery WhatleyDESouth AlabamaApril 25[30]
Nate WietingTEIowaApril 25[30]

Opt-outs[edit]

The NFL and the NFLPA reached an agreement on July 24 to allow players to opt out of playing the 2020 season due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These players would not be paid for the season, but receive an advance of $150,000 to $350,000 from their 2021 salary. The following five players opted out of this season:[32]

  • DT Andrew Billings
  • OT Drake Dorbeck
  • G Drew Forbes
  • G Colby Gossett
  • G Malcolm Pridgeon

Uniform changes[edit]

On April 15, the Browns unveiled new uniforms to be used starting in the 2020 season. The jerseys are brown with white numbers, white with brown numbers. The two main jerseys feature the five-stripe sleeve pattern used prior to 2015. The pants are brown or white, each with an orange-brown-orange stripe pattern on the sides; or orange with a brown-white-brown stripe pattern. The "Cleveland" wordmark on the front of the jerseys and the "Browns" wordmark on the side of the pants were removed. The team also added an alternate uniform, a brown jersey and pants with orange numbers. This is similar to the former "Color Rush" uniform, but with the stripes removed on both the jersey and pants.[33] The changes generally constituted a reversion to the uniforms which the Browns wore up until the 2014 season.[34][35] The general reception to the uniforms was positive.[34][35]

Staff[edit]

2020 Cleveland Browns staff
Front office
  • Owners – Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam, Whitney Haslam-Johnson, JW Johnson (EVP)
  • Chief strategy officer – Paul DePodesta
  • EVP/Chief Operating Officer – David Jenkins
  • General manager/EVP of football operations – Andrew Berry
  • Vice president of football administration – Chris Cooper
  • Vice president of football operations – Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
  • Vice president of player personnel – Glenn Cook
  • Vice president of research and strategy – Andrew Healy
  • Vice president of player personnel process and development – Ken Kovash
  • Director of player personnel – Dan Saganey
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Adam Al-Khayyal
  • Director of research and strategy – Dave Giuliani
  • Director of scouting research – Mike Cetta
  • Senior football advisor – Ryan Grigson
  • Special advisor – Jim Brown

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Kevin Stefanski
  • Chief of staff – Callie Brownson

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Alex Van Pelt
  • Run game coordinator/running backs – Stump Mitchell
  • Pass game coordinator/wide receivers – Chad O'Shea
  • Tight ends – Drew Petzing
  • Offensive line – Bill Callahan
  • Assistant offensive line – Scott Peters
  • Senior offensive assistant – Kevin Rogers
  • Offensive assistant – T. C. McCartney
  • Offensive quality control – Seitu Smith
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Joe Woods
  • Defensive line – Chris Kiffin
  • Assistant defensive line – Jeremy Garrett
  • Linebackers – Jason Tarver
  • Defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs – Jeff Howard
  • Assistant defensive backs – Brandon Lynch
  • Senior defensive assistant – Ben Bloom
  • Defensive quality control – Stephen Bravo-Brown

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Mike Priefer
  • Assistant special teams – Doug Colman
  • Coaching assistant – Ryan Cordell

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of high performance – Shaun Huls
  • Director of strength and conditioning – Larry Jackson
  • Strength and conditioning assistant/sports science – Josh Christovich
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Monty Gibson
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Dale Jones
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Evan Marcus

Final roster[edit]

2020 Cleveland Browns final roster
Quarterbacks
  •  5 Case Keenum
  •  6 Baker Mayfield

Running backs

  • 24 Nick Chubb
  • 27 Kareem Hunt
  • 31 Andy Janovich FB
  • 30 D'Ernest Johnson

Wide receivers

  • 18 Marvin Hall
  • 82 Rashard Higgins
  • 12 KhaDarel Hodge
  • 83 Alexander Hollins
  • 80 Jarvis Landry
  • 11 Donovan Peoples-Jones RS

Tight ends

  • 88 Harrison Bryant
  • 89 Stephen Carlson
  • 81 Austin Hooper
  • 86 Kyle Markway
  • 85 David Njoku
Offensive linemen
  • 75 Joel Bitonio G
  • 78 Jack Conklin T
  • 58 Anthony Fabiano C
  • 62 Blake Hance G
  • 70 Kendall Lamm T
  • 60 Alex Taylor T
  • 77 Wyatt Teller G
  • 64 J. C. Tretter C
  • 71 Jedrick Wills T

Defensive linemen

  • 94 Adrian Clayborn DE
  • 90 Jordan Elliott DT
  • 95 Myles Garrett DE
  • 97 Porter Gustin DE
  • 91 Joe Jackson DE
  • 65 Larry Ogunjobi DT
  • 98 Sheldon Richardson DT
  • 96 Vincent Taylor DT
Linebackers
  • 55 Tae Davis MLB
  • 93 B. J. Goodson MLB
  • 52 Elijah Lee OLB
  • 50 Jacob Phillips OLB
  • 56 Malcolm Smith OLB
  • 44 Sione Takitaki OLB
  • 51 Mack Wilson OLB

Defensive backs

  • 25 Brian Allen CB
  • 33 Ronnie Harrison SS
  • 28 Kevin Johnson CB
  • 42 Karl Joseph SS
  • 39 Terrance Mitchell CB
  • 35 Jovante Moffatt FS
  • 29 Sheldrick Redwine FS
  • 23 Andrew Sendejo FS
  • 36 M. J. Stewart CB
  • 20 Tavierre Thomas CB
  • 21 Denzel Ward CB

Special teams

  •  7 Jamie Gillan P
  • 47 Charley Hughlett LS
  •  2 Cody Parkey K
Reserve lists
  • 13 Odell Beckham Jr. WR (IR)
  • 99 Andrew Billings DT (Opt-out)
  • 22 Grant Delpit FS (IR)
  • -- Drake Dorbeck T (Opt-out)
  • 68 Michael Dunn G (IR)
  • 79 Drew Forbes G (Opt-out)
  • 72 Colby Gossett G (Opt-out)
  • 53 Nick Harris C (IR)
  • 74 Chris Hubbard T (IR)
  • 34 Robert Jackson CB (IR)
  • 19 JoJo Natson WR (IR)
  • 60 George Obinna DE (IR)
  • -- Malcolm Pridgeon G (Opt-out)
  • 10 Taywan Taylor WR (IR)
  • 54 Olivier Vernon DE (IR)
  • 61 Curtis Weaver DE (IR)
  • 26 Greedy Williams CB (IR)
  • 59 Trevon Young DE (IR)


Practice squad

  • 48 Elijah Benton FS
  • 84 Ja'Marcus Bradley WR
  • 92 Sheldon Day DT
  • 87 Jordan Franks TE (Injured)
  • 67 Cordel Iwuagwu G
  • 38 A. J. Green CB (Injured)
  • 49 John Kelly RB
  • 17 Kyle Lauletta QB (Protected)
  • 69 Cameron Malveaux DE
  •  9 Matt McCrane K (Protected)
  • 41 Montrel Meander OLB
  • 40 Donovan Olumba CB
  • 63 Javon Patterson C
  • 43 Johnny Stanton FB
  • 15 Ryan Switzer WR
  • 16 Derrick Willies WR


Rookies in italics
55 active, 18 inactive, 14 practice squad (+2 exempt)

Preseason[edit]

The Browns' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[36]

WeekDateOpponentVenueResult
1August 15at Chicago BearsSoldier FieldCancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2August 22at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field
3August 30Minnesota VikingsFirstEnergy Stadium
4September 3Tampa Bay BuccaneersFirstEnergy Stadium

Regular season[edit]

Schedule[edit]

The Browns' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[36]

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 13at Baltimore RavensL 6–380–1M&T Bank StadiumRecap
2September 17Cincinnati BengalsW 35–301–1FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
3September 27Washington Football TeamW 34–202–1FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
4October 4at Dallas CowboysW 49–383–1AT&T StadiumRecap
5October 11Indianapolis ColtsW 32–234–1FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
6October 18at Pittsburgh SteelersL 7–384–2Heinz FieldRecap
7October 25at Cincinnati BengalsW 37–345–2Paul Brown StadiumRecap
8November 1Las Vegas RaidersL 6–165–3FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
9Bye
10November 15Houston TexansW 10–76–3FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
11November 22Philadelphia EaglesW 22–177–3FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
12November 29at Jacksonville JaguarsW 27–258–3TIAA Bank FieldRecap
13December 6at Tennessee TitansW 41–359–3Nissan StadiumRecap
14December 14Baltimore RavensL 42–479–4FirstEnergy StadiumRecap
15December 20at New York GiantsW 20–610–4MetLife StadiumRecap
16December 27at New York JetsL 16–2310–5MetLife StadiumRecap
17January 3Pittsburgh SteelersW 24–2211–5FirstEnergy StadiumRecap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries[edit]

Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Week One: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1234Total
Browns60006
Ravens10147738

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to Baltimore to start their season. The Ravens took advantage of two early Browns turnovers with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews and a Justin Tucker 41-yard field goal to take a 10–0 lead. The Browns cut the Ravens' lead to 10–6 late in the first quarter on a Baker Mayfield 1-yard touchdown pass to David Njoku, however Austin Seibert would miss the extra point. The Ravens dominated the rest of the game, scoring 28 unanswered points on two additional Jackson touchdown passes to Andrews and Willie Snead, as well as two touchdown runs by rookie J.K. Dobbins, to win 38–6.

With the loss, the Browns started their season 0–1. They failed to win in Week 1 for the 16th consecutive season.

After the game, the Browns released Seibert after he missed an extra point and field goal attempt. The Browns signed Cody Parkey from their practice squad to replace Seibert.[37]

Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[edit]

Week Two: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Bengals31031430
Browns7147735

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,000
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (NFLN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns opened the home portion of their schedule with a Thursday night game against their in-state rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals received the opening kickoff and put together a 15-play drive, culminating in a Randy Bullock field goal to take a 3–0 lead. The Browns responded with a 10-play drive of their own, but were able to find the end zone on a Nick Chubb 11-yard run to take a 7–3 lead. The teams exchanged scores in the second quarter: The Browns scored a touchdown on a 43-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to Odell Beckham, Jr., the Bengals responded with a Joe Burrow 23-yard touchdown pass to C. J. Uzomah, the Browns struck back with a Mayfield touchdown pass to Kareem Hunt, and the Bengals added another Bullock field goal, giving the Browns a 21–13 lead going into halftime.

The Browns struck first in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Chubb. This was set up Myles Garrett forcing a Burrow fumble, which was recovered by Joe Jackson at the Bengals' 1 yard-line. Bullock kicked another field goal to make it 28–16 after three quarters. The Bengals closed the Browns' lead to 28–23 midway through the fourth quarter on a Burrow 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd set up by a Mayfield interception. However, the Browns regained a two-score lead on a Hunt 1-yard touchdown run set up by long runs from Hunt and Chubb. The Bengals added a touchdown in the final minute but could not recover an onside kick attempt, allowing the Browns to run out the clock in a 35–30 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Washington Football Team[edit]

Week Three: Washington Football Team at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Washington7013020
Browns01701734

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,000
  • Referee: Shawn Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns hosted Washington in Week 3. Washington took an early 7–0 lead on a Dwayne Haskins touchdown pass to Dontrelle Inman. In the second quarter, the Browns took advantage of two Haskins interceptions while scoring 17 points in the quarter: a Cody Parkey 42-yard field goal and a pair of touchdowns on a Nick Chubb 16-yard run and a Baker Mayfield 9-yard pass to Kareem Hunt to take a 17–7 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Washington scored two touchdowns on an Antonio Gibson 2-yard run and a Haskins 11-yard pass to Inman to re-take the lead at 20–17. However, the Browns took a 24–20 lead on a Mayfield 3-yard touchdown pass to Harrison Bryant and built their lead to 31–20 on a Chub 20-yard touchdown run that was set up by another Haskins interception. Parkey added a late field goal to make the final score 34–20.

With the win, the Browns improved to 2–1. This win ended the longest active losing-record streak in the league; Week 4 was the first game since Week 15 of the 2014 season, a span of 90 games, in which the Browns entered with a record above .500.[38]

Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys[edit]

Week Four: Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1234Total
Browns72410849
Cowboys14002438

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 25,021
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in Week 4. The Browns opened the scoring on a trick play as WR Jarvis Landry threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Odell Beckham, Jr. to take a 7–0 lead. The Cowboys then scored two touchdowns later in the quarter on Dak Prescott passes to CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper to tie the game and then take a 14–7 lead after the first quarter. The Browns took control of the game by scoring 34 straight points in the second and third quarters. In the second quarter, Baker Mayfield completed touchdown passes to Beckham and Austin Hooper, Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown run, and Cody Parkey added a field goal to give the Browns a 31–14 lead at halftime. The Browns scored on another Hunt run on their opening drive of the third quarter and added another Parkey field goal to build their lead to 41–14 after three quarters.

However, the Cowboys mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter. They scored three touchdowns on a Tony Pollard run and Prescott passes to Dalton Schultz and Lamb – converting the two-point conversion each time – to cut the Browns' lead to 41–38 with 3:42 to go. However, the Browns recovered the Cowboys' on-side kick attempt and scored on the next play on a 50-yard run by Beckham. The extra point attempt was blocked, but a Cowboys player muffed the ball and the Browns tight end Stephen Carlson recovered it in the end zone for a two-point conversion, giving the Browns a 49–38 lead. On the ensuing possession, Denzel Ward intercepted a Prescott pass to seal the 49–38 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 3–1. This marked the team's best 4-game start to a season since 2001. Defensive end Myles Garrett was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks and a forced fumble.[39]

Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts[edit]

Week Five: Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Colts7310323
Browns3177532

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 64 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,759
  • Referee: Scott Novak
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns returned home to host the Indianapolis Colts in a battle of 3–1 records. The Browns opened the scoring on a Cody Parkey 24-yard field goal on their opening drive to take a 3–0 lead. However, the Colts responded on their first drive with a Jonathan Taylor 4-yard touchdown to take a 7–3 lead. In the second quarter, the Browns took a 10–7 lead on a Baker Mayfield 2-yard touchdown pass to Kareem Hunt, but the Colts tied it at 10–10 as Rodrigo Blankenship hit a 32-yard field goal. The Browns would add a 15-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Rashard Higgins and a Parkey 34-yard field goal to take a 20–10 lead at halftime.

The Browns extended their lead to 27–10 as Ronnie Harrison intercepted a Philip Rivers pass and returned it for a touchdown. However, Isaiah Rodgers returned the ensuing kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown to cut the Browns' lead to 27–17. Blankenship would add another field goal on a drive set up by a Mayfield interception to cut the Browns' lead to 27–20. Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns recorded a safety on a Rivers intentional grounding penalty in the end zone to build their lead to two possessions, at 29–20. The teams traded late field goals to give the Browns a 32–23 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 4–1. This marked the team's best 5–game start to a season since 1994. This was also their first 4-game winning streak since 2009.

Week 6: at Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

Week Six: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1234Total
Browns07007
Steelers10147738

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 61 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,260
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Gene Steratore
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to Pittsburgh to take on their division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, hoping to end a 16-game losing streak to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, having last won there in 2003. However, Pittsburgh dominated the game from the beginning, opening the scoring with a Chris Boswell 35-yard field goal and a Minkah Fitzpatrick interception return for a touchdown on the Browns' third offensive play to take an early 10–0 lead. Pittsburgh added two more touchdowns in the second quarter on a James Conner run and a Ben Roethlisberger pass to James Washington to extend their lead to 24–0. Cleveland got on the board late in the quarter on a Baker Mayfield pass to Rashard Higgins to make it 24–7 at halftime. The Steelers continued their domination into the second half, adding a pair of touchdowns on a Roethlisberger pass to Chase Claypool and a Benny Snell Jr. run to make the final score 38–7.

Mayfield left the game late in the third quarter after aggravating a minor rib injury he suffered in the Browns' previous game. Backup Case Keenum served as the Browns' quarterback for the remainder of the game. The Browns' run offense, which came into the game averaging a league-leading 188 yards per game, was held to 75 yards.

With their 17th consecutive loss in Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 4–2.

Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals[edit]

Week Seven: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1234Total
Browns3772037
Bengals71031434

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 48 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 9,732
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals, hoping to bounce back from the tough loss at Pittsburgh. After both teams had interceptions on their opening drives, Cincinnati opened the scoring with Joe Burrow 1-yard touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead. The teams then traded field goals before Cleveland scored on a Baker Mayfield 3-yard touchdown pass to Harrison Bryant. making the score 10–10. Cincinnati took a 17–10 lead into halftime on a Burrow 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd.

The second half saw the teams go back-and-forth. Cleveland tied the score at 17 with a Mayfield 6-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. Cincinnati took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter on a Randy Bullock 23-yard field goal. The fourth quarter featured an NFL record five go-ahead touchdown passes.[40] Cleveland took a 24–20 lead on a Mayfield 16-yard pass to David Njoku. Cincinnati went up 27–24 with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tee Higgins. Cleveland responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Kareem Hunt, taking a 31–27 lead. Cincinnati took the lead back, 34–31 with 1:06 remaining on a Burrow 3-yard touchdown pass to Giovani Bernard. The Browns drove down the field in the final minute and Mayfield connected with Donovan Peoples-Jones for a 24-yard touchdown, giving the Browns a 37–34 lead after missing the extra point attempt. An unsuccessful Hail Mary pass attempt by Burrow ended the game, with the Browns hanging on to a 37–34 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 5–2. Mayfield was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 297 yard, 5 touchdown performance.[41] He also set a franchise record with 21 consecutive completed passes.[42]

The following day, the Browns announced that WR Odell Beckham Jr, who left the game with a knee injury in the first quarter, suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

On October 29, DE Myles Garrett was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Garrett recorded two forced fumbles and led the NFL with six sacks during the month.[43]

Week 8: vs. Las Vegas Raiders[edit]

Week Eight: Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Raiders0601016
Browns03306

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 10,972
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns returned home to take on the Las Vegas Raiders on a very windy afternoon. After a scoreless first quarter, Cleveland opened the scoring with a Cody Parkey 41-yard field goal to take a 3–0 lead. However, Las Vegas kicker Daniel Carlson connected on field goals from 29 and 33 yards to take a 6–3 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Cleveland tied the game 6–6 on a Parkey 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Las Vegas scored the game's lone touchdown on a Derek Carr 4-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow to take a 13–6 lead. They extended their lead to 16–6 on a Carlson 24-yard field goal. Cleveland had a chance to close the Las Vegas lead to one possession with just under two minutes remaining, but Parkey missed a field goal attempt.

With the loss, the Browns went into their bye week at 5–3.

Week 10: vs. Houston Texans[edit]

Week Ten: Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Texans00077
Browns300710

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:37 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Rainy, 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 10,613
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns returned from their bye week to host the Houston Texans. The game was delayed moments before kickoff due to severe weather including high winds, severe rain, and hail.[44] The game started after a 36 minute delay. The Browns took the opening drive of the game 12 plays and scored on a Cody Parkey 41-yard field goal take an early 3–0 lead. This was the only score until the fourth quarter as high winds made it very difficult for either offense to establish any consistency. Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns extended their lead to 10–0 on a 9-yard touchdown run by Nick Chubb in his first game since suffering a knee injury in Week 4. Houston responded with a Deshaun Watson 16-yard touchdown pass to Pharaoh Brown to close the Browns' lead to 10–7. However, the Browns were able to run out the clock as Chubb and Kareem Hunt rushed for four first downs to seal the 10–7 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 6–3. In the game, Chubb and Hunt became the first pair of Browns teammates to each rush for 100 yards in the same game since Ernie Green and Leroy Kelly in 1966.[45] This win marked Baker Mayfield's 12th win as starting quarterback at FirstEnergy Stadium, setting a record for the most wins at the venue. The previous record of 11 wins was held by Ben Roethlisberger.[46] Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills was named NFL Rookie of the Week.

Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles[edit]

Week Eleven: Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Eagles0071017
Browns0751022

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Rain, 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,133
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns stayed home to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. The game started slowly as neither team scored in the first quarter despite each team missing an opportunity within the opponent's 5-yard line; Philadelphia's drive ended on a Miles Sanders fumble, while Cleveland was stopped on fourth down at the goal line. Cleveland opened the scoring in the second quarter on a Sione Takitaki 50-yard interception return to take a 7–0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Philadelphia tied the game on a Carson Wentz 19-yard touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers. Cleveland took a 10–7 lead on their next drive with a Cody Parkey 46-yard field goal and extended it to 12–7 on a safety by linebacker Olivier Vernon. In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia made it 12–10 on a Jake Elliott 43-yard field goal. Cleveland extended their lead to 22–10 with a Kareem Hunt 5-yard touchdown run and a Parkey 28-yard field goal. Philadelphia made it 22–17 on a Wentz 4-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert in the final minute, but could not recover their onside kick attempt, allowing Cleveland to run out the clock.

With the win, the Browns improved to 7–3, marking their best ten-game start since 1994.[47] Vernon was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording three sacks and a safety.[48]

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars[edit]

Week Twelve: Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1234Total
Browns7103727
Jaguars3106625

at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,926
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. Jacksonville opened the scoring in the first quarter with an Aldrick Rosas field goal to take a 3–0 lead. Cleveland took a 7–3 lead on a Baker Mayfield touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry, Mayfield's first touchdown pass since Week 7. After both teams kicked short field goals in the second quarter, Jacksonville took a 13–10 lead on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Mike Glennon to Collin Johnson. Cleveland answered and took a 17–13 lead on a Mayfield touchdown pass to Austin Hooper. In the third quarter, Jacksonville recovered a Harrison Bryant fumble and scored a touchdown six plays later on a Glennon 2-yard pass to Tyler Eifert to take a 19–17 lead following a missed 2-point conversion attempt. Cleveland responded with a Cody Parkey 46-yard field goal and a Nick Chubb 1-yard touchdown run to take a 27–19 lead. Jacksonville closed the Browns' lead to 27–25 with just over two minutes to go on a James Robinson 4-yard touchdown run, but failed to make a game-tying 2-point conversion. The Browns were able to run out the clock to preserve the win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 8–3 and clinched their first non-losing season since 2007.[49] In the game, Browns' chief of staff Callie Brownson became the first woman to serve as a position coach in NFL history. She filled in as the tight ends coach in place of Drew Petzing, as he did not travel with the team in order to attend the birth of his child.[50]

Week 13: at Tennessee Titans[edit]

Week Thirteen: Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1234Total
Browns10283041
Titans07141435

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 52 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 13,986
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns stayed on the road in Week 13 as they traveled to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. The Browns scored first with a Cody Parkey 27-yard field goal and followed it up with a Baker Mayfield 2-yard touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry to take a 10–0 lead after the first quarter. The Browns extended their lead to 17–0 on a Mayfield 1-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Lamm. Tennessee got on the board with a Ryan Tannehill 17-yard touchdown pass to Corey Davis to make it 17–7, but Cleveland struck back to make it 24–7 on the first play of their next drive with a Mayfield 75-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones. Cleveland scored two more touchdowns on a Mayfield pass to Rashard Higgins and a Nick Chubb run to take a 38–7 lead into halftime.

Tennessee would mount a comeback in the second half. In the first six minutes of the third quarter, Tennessee scored two touchdowns on a Tannehill pass to MyCole Pruitt and an offensive fumble recovery advanced by Pruitt to reduce Cleveland's lead to 38–21. Another Parkey field goal made it 41–21 going into the fourth quarter. The Titans closed the score to 41–28 with 1:23 remaining on a Jeremy McNichols 1-yard touchdown run. After a Mayfield fumble, Tennessee scored another touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Tannehill to Cameron Batson to cut the Browns' lead to 41–35 with 0:28 remaining. However, the Browns recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

With the win, the Browns improved to 9–3 and clinched their first winning season since 2007.[51][52] In the game, Mayfield became the first Browns quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in the first half since Otto Graham in 1951. The Browns' 38 points in the first half also set a franchise record.[53] Mayfield was named FedEx Air Player of the Week.[54]

Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Week Fourteen: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Ravens714131347
Browns7762242

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 34 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,974
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns returned home for round two of their rivalry game with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, hoping to avenge their Week 1 blowout loss. Each team scored a touchdown in the first quarter, Cleveland on a Nick Chubb run and Baltimore on a Lamar Jackson run to make the score 7–7. The teams exchanged rushing touchdowns again in the second quarter by Gus Edwards for Baltimore and Chubb for Cleveland to make it 14–14. Jackson added a 17-yard touchdown run to give Baltimore a 21–14 halftime lead. Baltimore built their lead to 28–14 on an Edwards 19-yard run, But Cleveland came to within 28–20 on a Kareem Hunt 5-yard run. Baltimore extended their lead to 34–20 on J.K. Dobbins' run following a Mayfield interception that was returned to the Browns' 1-yard line.

The Browns were able to take a 35–34 lead in the fourth quarter on a Baker Mayfield touchdown pass to Rashard Higgins and a Mayfield touchdown run. Meanwhile, Jackson left the game for Baltimore due to an injury and backup Trace McSorley came in and struggled against the Browns' defense. After the two-minute warning, Jackson returned to the game and threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown to take a 42–35 lead after a successful 2-point conversion. Mayfield led the Browns to a touchdown drive culminating in a touchdown pass to Kareem Hunt with just over a minute left. However, Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker kicked a game-winning 55-yard field goal with 0:02 remaining to go up 45–42. Baltimore added a safety on a failed hook-and-ladder play by Cleveland to make the final score 47–42.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 9–4. The Browns and Ravens combined for nine rushing touchdowns in the game, tying an NFL record.[55]

Week 15: at New York Giants[edit]

Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at New York Giants – Game summary
1234Total
Browns0130720
Giants30036

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 36 °F (2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Shawn Hochuli
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to take on the New York Giants in a key Week 15 contest on Sunday Night Football. After both teams had promising drives that ended on a turnover on downs in the opponent's territory, the Giants struck first with a Graham Gano 37-yard field goal. Cleveland responded with two second quarter touchdowns on Baker Mayfield passes to Austin Hooper and Jarvis Landry to take a 13–3 lead as Browns kicker Cody Parkey missed one of the extra point attempts. The Browns extended their lead to 20–3 on a Nick Chubb touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The Giants added another Gano field goal to make it 20–6 but could not get any closer.

With the win, the Browns improved to 10–4.

Week 16: at New York Jets[edit]

Week Sixteen: Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – Game summary
1234Total
Browns307616
Jets767323

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny and cold, 37 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns returned to East Rutherford to take on the New York Jets. The day prior to the game, much of the Browns' receiving corps, namely Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jarvis Landry, and Donovan Peoples-Jones, was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, forcing Cleveland to play three receivers with very little experience on the team.[56] The Browns were forced to rely mainly on their running backs and tight ends in the passing game.[57]

Cleveland took an early 3–0 lead on a Cody Parkey 44-yard field goal. However, New York scored a pair of touchdowns on a Jamison Crowder pass to Braxton Berrios and a Sam Darnold pass to Chris Herndon to take a 13–3 lead into halftime. New York extended its lead to 20–3 on a 30-yard pass from Darnold to Crowder. Cleveland added a pair of touchdowns to come within 20–16 on runs by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. After New York added a Sam Ficken 34-yard field goal to extend their lead to 23–16 with just under 3:00 remaining, the Browns drove to the New York 16-yard line before turning the ball over on downs, effectively ending the game.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 10–5. They finished 5–3 in away games. The Browns' loss also allowed the Pittsburgh Steelers to clinch the AFC North title. This is the Browns' 28th consecutive season without a division title, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

Week Seventeen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1234Total
Steelers0631322
Browns737724

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: January 3, 2021
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,989
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns hosted the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular season finale. Cleveland would clinch a playoff berth with a win. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh had already clinched the AFC North division and would rest several starters including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The Browns scored the only points in the first quarter on a Nick Chubb 47-yard touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead. Cody Parkey chipped in a 23-yard field goal to make it 10–0. Matthew Wright then kicked field goals of 29 and 46 yards, to close the Browns' lead to 10–6 at halftime. Wright added another 46-yard field goal early in the third quarter to make it 10–9. The Browns added to their lead on a pair of touchdowns, a Baker Mayfield 2-yard pass to Austin Hooper and a Jarvis Landry 3-yard run, to extend their lead to 24–9 early in the fourth quarter. However the Steelers mounted a comeback as backup quarterback Mason Rudolph connected on touchdown passes to Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster to make it 24–22 with 1:22 remaining. However the Steelers could not convert the game-tying two-point conversion nor recover an onside kick. The Browns were able to run out the clock for the win.

With the win, the Browns finished the season 11–5, their best record since 1994. The Browns clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2002, ending the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.[1][58] The Browns finished the season 6–2 at home.

Standings[edit]

Division[edit]

AFC North
  • view
  • talk
  • edit
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers1240.7504–29–3416312L1
(5) Baltimore Ravens1150.6884–27–5468303W5
(6) Cleveland Browns1150.6883–37–5408419W1
Cincinnati Bengals4111.2811–54–8311424L1

Conference[edit]

AFC
  • v
  • t
  • e
#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1Kansas City ChiefsWest1420.8754–210–2.465.464L1
2Buffalo BillsEast1330.8136–010–2.512.471W6
3Pittsburgh SteelersNorth1240.7504–29–3.475.448L1
4[a]Tennessee TitansSouth1150.6885–18–4.475.398W1
Wild Cards
5[b][c]Baltimore RavensNorth1150.6884–27–5.494.401W5
6[c][d]Cleveland BrownsNorth1150.6883–37–5.451.406W1
7[a][b][d]Indianapolis ColtsSouth1150.6884–27–5.443.384W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8Miami DolphinsEast1060.6253–37–5.467.347L1
9Las Vegas RaidersWest880.5004–26–6.539.477W1
10[e]New England PatriotsEast790.4383–36–6.527.429W1
11[e]Los Angeles ChargersWest790.4383–36–6.482.344W4
12Denver BroncosWest5110.3131–54–8.566.388L3
13Cincinnati BengalsNorth4111.2811–54–8.529.438L1
14Houston TexansSouth4120.2502–43–9.541.219L5
15New York JetsEast2140.1250–61–11.594.656L1
16Jacksonville JaguarsSouth1150.0631–51–11.549.688L15
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ a b Tennessee finished ahead of Indianapolis based on division record.
  2. ^ a b Baltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory. Division tiebreaker used to eliminate Cleveland (see below).
  3. ^ a b Baltimore finished ahead of Cleveland based on head-to-head sweep.
  4. ^ a b Cleveland finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
  5. ^ a b New England finished ahead of the LA Chargers based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Team leaders[edit]

CategoryPlayer(s)Value
Passing yardsBaker Mayfield3,563
Passing touchdownsBaker Mayfield26
Rushing yardsNick Chubb1,067
Rushing touchdownsNick Chubb12
ReceptionsJarvis Landry72
Receiving yardsJarvis Landry840
Receiving touchdownsKareem Hunt5
PointsCody Parkey100
Kickoff return yardsDonovan Peoples-Jones379
Punt return yardsDonovan Peoples-Jones77
TacklesB.J. Goodson91
SacksMyles Garrett12.0
Forced fumblesMyles Garrett4
Interceptions3 players tied2
Pass deflectionsDenzel Ward18

Postseason[edit]

See also: 2020–21 NFL playoffs
Playoff roundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueRecap
Wild CardJanuary 10at Pittsburgh Steelers (3)W 48–371–0Heinz FieldRecap
DivisionalJanuary 17at Kansas City Chiefs (1)L 17–221–1Arrowhead StadiumRecap

Game summaries[edit]

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (3) Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Cleveland Browns at (3) Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1234Total
Browns28701348
Steelers010131437

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: January 10, 2021
  • Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 34 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (NBC/Peacock): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

On January 5, head coach Kevin Stefanski, along with tight ends coach Drew Petzing, defensive backs coach Jeff Howard, offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters, offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, cornerbacks Denzel Ward ans Kevin Johnson, and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, tested positive for COVID-19, removing them from coaching and playing in this game. Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer served as acting Head Coach.[59][60]

The Browns got off to a very strong start. On the first play from scrimmage, the Browns' Karl Joseph recovered a Steelers fumble on an errant snap by Maurkice Pouncey in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Browns an early 7–0 lead. The Browns built their lead to 28–0 by the end of the first quarter on a 40-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to Jarvis Landry and two Kareem Hunt touchdown runs of 11 and 8 yards after a Steelers punt and two Ben Roethlisberger interceptions. The Browns' 28 first quarter points tied an NFL playoff record.[61] The Steelers got on the board in the second quarter on a James Conner 1-yard touchdown run, but the Browns would respond with a Mayfield 7-yard pass to Austin Hooper to make it 35–7. A Chris Boswell field goal at the end of the half made it 35–10.

The Steelers got back into the game with a dominant third quarter. The team had two scoring drives, capped off by Ben Roethlisberger touchdown passes to Eric Ebron and JuJu Smith-Schuster, to make it 35–23. However, the Browns added a touchdown on a Mayfield 40-yard screen pass to Nick Chubb to extend their lead to 42–23. Pittsburgh responded with a Roethlisberger 29-yard touchdown pass to Chase Claypool on its next drive, taking just over a minute off the clock, to make it 42–29. Cody Parkey then added two field goals for the Browns, the second one following Rothlisberger's fourth interception of the game, to extend their lead back to three possessions at 48–29. A late touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Claypool made the final score 48–37.

With the win, the Browns advanced to the Divisional Round. The Browns recorded their first playoff win since 1994 and their first away playoff win since 1969, ending a streak of eight consecutive losses in away playoff games. This win also ended a 17-game losing streak in Pittsburgh that dated back to 2004.[62] Jim Donovan, who called the game for the Cleveland Browns Radio Network, referred to the win as "one of the greatest victories in Cleveland Browns history".[63]

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs[edit]

AFC Divisional Playoff: (6) Cleveland Browns at (1) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1234Total
Browns307717
Chiefs6133022

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: January 17, 2021
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. EST/2:05 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 16,730
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn, Jay Feely and Gene Steratore
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Browns traveled to Kansas City for a divisional matchup with the #1 seed and defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City opened the scoring on their opening drive, as Patrick Mahomes completed 4 of 4 passes for 41 yards, including a 26-yard completion to Tyreek Hill, as the team scored on his 1-yard touchdown run to take a 6–0 lead. Cleveland responded with a 12-play, 47-yard scoring drive, featuring a 27-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to David Njoku. However, the Browns were forced to settle for a Cody Parkey 46-yard field goal to make the score 6–3. The Chiefs added a touchdown on a Mahomes 20-yard pass to Travis Kelce to build their lead to 13–3, then 16–3 on a Harrison Butker 50-yard field goal. Cleveland responded with drive deep into Kansas City territory, however Rashard Higgins fumbled the ball out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback for Kansas City. As he dived for the goal line, Kansas City safety Daniel Sorensen hit him from the left side, knocking the ball loose. Butker kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive, giving the Chiefs a 19–3 halftime lead.

The Browns cut the Chiefs' lead to 19–10 in the third quarter on a Mayfield 4-yard touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry that was set up by two Nick Chubb runs for 23 and 18 yards earlier in the drive. On the next Chiefs' drive, Mahomes was knocked out of the game with a concussion and backup quarterback Chad Henne came on in relief. The Chiefs kicked a field goal on that drive to extend their lead to 22–10. Cleveland responded with an 18-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a Kareem Hunt touchdown run in his first game against his former team, to make it 22–17. The Chiefs then drove into Browns' territory but Henne threw an interception to safety Karl Joseph in the end zone. Cleveland was forced to punt on its next drive, and Kansas City was able to run out the clock thanks to a 13-yard run by Henne on 3rd and 14, followed by a game-clinching 5-yard pass from Henne to Tyreek Hill.

With the loss, the Browns' season ended. They failed to advance to the AFC Championship Game, which would have been their first since the 1989 season.

Awards[edit]

The following Browns were awarded for their performances during the season:

AFC Offensive Player of the Week/Month[edit]

W/MPlayerLine
7QB Baker Mayfield22–28, 297 yds, 5 TD, INT

AFC Defensive Player of the Week/Month[edit]

W/MPlayerLine
4DE Myles Garrett3 TKL, TFL, 2.0 sacks, FF
Oct.DE Myles Garrett14 TKL, 4 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 2 FF
11DE Olivier Vernon5 TKL, 3 TFL, 3.0 sacks, SFTY, PD

2021 Pro Bowl[edit]

On December 21, it was announced that G Joel Bitonio, RB Nick Chubb, and DE Myles Garrett were named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, with Bitonio and Garrett named as starters. This marks the third Pro Bowl selection for Bitonio and the second for Chubb and Garrett.[64]

All-Pro team[edit]

On January 8, it was announced that OT Jack Conklin and DE Myles Garrett were named to the Associated Press All-Pro first team. G Joel Bitonio and G Wyatt Teller were named to the All-Pro second team. This marks Bitonio's third All-Pro selection, Garrett and Conklin's second, and the first for Teller.[65]

Coach of the Year[edit]

Head coach Kevin Stefanski was named the AP Coach of the Year.[66]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Browns, Ravens clinch playoff berths with wins; Titans clinch berth after Dolphins lose to Bills". NFL.com. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Browns Ambush Steelers for First Playoff Win Since 1994". SI.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. ^ "John Dorsey out as Browns general manager". ESPN. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Maya, Adam (January 27, 2020). "Browns hire Andrew Berry as new GM/executive VP". NFL.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Sources: Browns to make Andrew Berry youngest GM in NFL history". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  6. ^ "Browns executives Alonzo Highsmith, Eliot Wolf, Steve Malin out after new GM Andrew Berry hired". ESPN. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  7. ^ "Browns relieve Freddie Kitchens of duties as head coach". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  8. ^ "Kevin Stefanski named Browns head coach". ClevelandBrowns.com. 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  9. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (January 30, 2020). "Kevin Stefanski hires Alex Van Pelt as Browns offensive coordinator; Jeff Howard as DBs & passing game coordinator". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  10. ^ Gribble, Andrew (February 7, 2020). "Joe Woods named Browns defensive coordinator". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pluto, Terry (March 18, 2020). "What exactly are the Cleveland Browns doing in free agency?". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  12. ^ "Browns sign Adrian Clayborn". Pro Football Talk. March 31, 2020.
  13. ^ Gribble, Andrew (March 24, 2020). "Browns sign dynamic returner JoJo Natson, CB Donovan Olumba". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Gribble, Andrew (March 16, 2020). "Browns release S Morgan Burnett". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d ""Browns release 4 players"". ClevelandBrowns.com. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  16. ^ Walker, Andrew (March 30, 2020). "Colts Sign Free Agent CB T.J. Carrie". Colts.com.
  17. ^ Williams, Charean (February 19, 2020). "Bears sign former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  18. ^ "Browns release veteran LB Christian Kirksey". ClevelandBrowns.com. March 10, 2020.
  19. ^ Packers Sign LB Kirksey Hours Before Start of Free Agency
  20. ^ Bair, Scott (March 21, 2020). "Raiders add offensive line depth, agree to deal with guard Eric Kush". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "Texans agree to terms on the following moves". HoustonTexans.com. March 21, 2020.
  22. ^ Bergin, Mark (April 3, 2020). "Damarious Randall Signs With Raiders, But Browns Won DeShone Kizer Trade". Browns Nation. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  23. ^ "Jaguars officially agree to terms with former Browns LB Joe Schobert". SB Nation. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  24. ^ Goldman, Charles (April 3, 2020). "Chiefs to sign TE Ricky Seals-Jones". UAS Today. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  25. ^ Simmons, Myles (July 27, 2020). "Panthers sign Adarius Taylor, waive Austrian Robinson". Panthers.com.
  26. ^ "Browns trade Duke Johnson to Texans for 2020 pick". NFL.com. August 8, 2019.
  27. ^ "Teller-traded-cleveland". clevelandbrowns.com. August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  28. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (May 19, 2018). "Browns' trade of Jamar Taylor to the Cardinals for 6th round pick in '20 is official". Cleveland.com. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  29. ^ Knoblauch, Austin (August 6, 2018). "Browns trade Corey Coleman to Bills for draft pick". NFL.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Cleveland Browns 2020 undrafted rookie free agent tracker: Live updates". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h Gribble, Andrew (September 5, 2020). "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2020 season". Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  32. ^ a b Breer, Albert (July 29, 2020). "Mailbag: The Patriots' Success Makes it Easier for Their Players to Opt Out". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  33. ^ Gribble, Andrew (April 15, 2020). "Browns pay homage to past, look ahead to future with new uniforms". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  34. ^ a b Joseph, Andrew (April 15, 2020). "NFL fans were happy to see the Browns' new uniforms return to a traditional look". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021.
  35. ^ a b Justice, Camryn (April 15, 2020). "Cleveland Browns unveil new uniforms ahead of 2020 season". WEWS-TV. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  36. ^ a b Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  37. ^ Cleveland Browns Cut Austin Seibert, Bring on Cody Parkey
  38. ^ Alper, Josh (27 September 2020). "Browns above .500 for first time since 2014". ProFootballTalk.
  39. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (October 7, 2020). "Myles Garrett earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his big game vs. the Cowboys". Cleveland.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  40. ^ "Jay Crawford: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals give us one for the ages". WKYC. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  41. ^ "Baker Mayfield wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 5 TD victory over Bengals". Cleveland.com. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  42. ^ Baker Mayfield sets record in Browns victory
  43. ^ Myles Garrett Named AFC Defensive of the Month
  44. ^ "Browns-Texans delayed by severe weather". www.clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  45. ^ "Chubb, Hunt rush Browns past Texans 10–7 in wild weather". Associated Press. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  46. ^ Baker Mayfield passes Ben Roethlisberger for most quarterback wins at FirstEnergy Stadium
  47. ^ "Browns smother Eagles, off to best start in 26 years". Reuters. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  48. ^ Smith, Mitchel David (November 25, 2020). "Olivier Vernon is the AFC defensive player of the week". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  49. ^ "Cleveland Browns react to clinching first non-losing since 2007". wkyc.com. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  50. ^ Cwik, Chris (2020-11-20). "Browns' Callie Brownson to become first woman to work as position coach in NFL history on Sunday". Yahoo. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  51. ^ "Mayfield, Browns cruise, secure winning season". ESPN.com. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  52. ^ "Cleveland Browns clinch first winning season since 2007". wkyc.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  53. ^ "Baker Mayfield, Browns make franchise history during record-setting first half against Titans in Week 13". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  54. ^ "Browns' Baker Mayfield named FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for performance vs. Titans". WKYC. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  55. ^ "Watch: 9 rushing TDs in Ravens-Browns equals mark set in 1922". Touchdown Wire. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  56. ^ "Browns place four WRs, including Jarvis Landry, on COVID-19 list". NFL.com. 2020-12-26. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  57. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay; clevel; .com (2020-12-27). "Baker Mayfield, COVID-19-ravaged Browns lose 23–16 to the Jets, fall to 10–5, miss a chance to clinch a playoff berth". cleveland. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  58. ^ "Browns end playoff drought, still 'not satisfied'". ESPN.com. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  59. ^ "Covid rules out Browns head coach for team's first playoff game in 18 years". The Guardian. January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  60. ^ Joe Rivera (January 10, 2021). "Browns COVID-19 list: Kevin Stefanski, 4 players inactive vs. Steelers after outbreak". SportingNews.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  61. ^ "Browns tie record for most points scored in 1st quarter of NFL playoff game". KVUE. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  62. ^ Selbe, Nick. "Browns Ambush Steelers for First Playoff Win Since 1994". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  63. ^ Donovan, Jim. "Celebrating a Playoff Victory Monday with Jim Donovan". WKYC. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  64. ^ "Browns' Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, Nick Chubb selected to Pro Bowl". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  65. ^ "Browns DE Myles Garrett, RT Jack Conklin named to AP All-Pro Team for 2020 season". WEWS. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  66. ^ "Browns' Kevin Stefanski wins AP Coach of the Year". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-03-26.

External links[edit]

  • Official website