12 Days of a Cleveland Christmas: Day 7
Written By: Rick | Category: 12 days of Christmas | Comments: 146
Yesterday we asked about your favorite baseball player that didn’t play for the Indians, and Ken Griffey Jr. got more support than anyone. He was Matt’s choice, and luckily for Matt his answer was randomly selected! he won the pair of tickets to see the Tribe take on the Reds.
Today we have another sponsored prize. How would you like to win an e-Gift Certificate worth $100 to the official Cleveland Browns Team Shop?
The team shop itself is putting this prize up for grabs today. There are no restrictions on what you can buy with the certificate, provided it is done online, and it does not expire. Sound good?
“While I can’t speak for the players or coaches, I just wanted to say thanks to all the Browns fans out there that have continued to support the team through a really tough season. Thanks for still proudly wearing the orange and brown. Merry Christmas from the Browns Team Shop”
Awesome. Thanks to the team shop for the prize today. This could certainly help finish off the Christmas list for that Browns fan.
Once again, here’s the skinny…
That’s right WFNY loyal readers- the December giveaway is back! Each weekday from now until Tuesday the 22nd we will be giving away a great Cleveland sports prize pack. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the daily prize post answering the question of the day. It’s that simple. Look for the posts at noon.
- You may only enter once each day. You are free to comment on each other’s answers, however.
- The winner will be chosen at random from the qualifying entries. Winners will be notified the following day by email (make sure the email address you registered to comment with is a real one!) You must be at least 18 years old to win, and only one winner per household during this giveaway please.
-Entries must be made before Midnight EST to qualify.
Last year I made everyone give their answer in exactly 64 words, (last Cleveland title) but this year I’m going to be a bit more lenient. As long as you actually answer the question, it doesn’t matter how many words you use.
Today’s prize- $100 e-Gift Certificate from the Official Cleveland Browns Team Shop! (Big thanks to the team shop!!)
Today’s question- We know about the heartaches and tough losses, but which Browns win is most special to you and why?
Good luck!
Author: Rick
Rick is a co-founder and editor of WFNY. His love of Cleveland sports is surpassed only by his faith and love of his family. Follow him on Twitter- @rickwfny.Rick has written 887 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
another good question….
it’s a tough call between the first win since we’ve been back on the hail mary (vs. NO) or the first win against Pitt 2 weeks later (after losing 43-0 the first week to them).
November 14, 1999 the Browns beat the Steelers 16-15.
After having the team ripped away from the city the expansion Browns came into this game 1-8. That record included getting blown out 43-0 by the Steelers at home in the first game of the season.
Our team walked into Three Rivers that day and took a win nobody thought they had any business taking.
It was a huge bonus that my Physics teacher at the time was a huge Steelers fan and I got to drop that newspaper on his desk the next morning.
Probably a common one, but Browns over the Falcons in 2002. Not only did it send the Brownies to the playoffs for the first time since coming back, but the huge run by Willie “Weedhead” Green and then the goal line stand to finish it off. It was the first time I felt like we had the old Browns back…what a sad mistake.
The most special Borwns win of recent memory is no doubt the most recent W over the Steelers. This has been one of the msot difficult seasons I can ever remember, even more heartbreaking than last year’s disappointment following a playoff run. With so little to build off of this season has been an absolute bust. However, beating the Steelers for the first time in however many years means a lot to the city of Cleveland. Hearing all the local-Steelers fans gloat for years and years takes its tole on the hopeless Browns fans. But for that one night, everything bad that has happened was remedied, and Cleveland Browns fans had something to celebrate.
The double-OT win over the Jets in the playoffs. Why? Because I was there!!
October 24, 1993. Browns vs. Steelers. The Eric Metcalf game.
The first time we beat the Ravens after coming back into the leage. Just a huge monkey to get off our back. I was also there in Baltimore (2002 maybe?) when Tim Couch led a 90 yard drive down the field at the end of the game in about 2 minutes to stick the dagger in their hearts.
Last year’s MNF game vs the Little Giants. First game with my girlfriend, the crowd was electric, and Braylon had a big day which not only won me my fantasy matchup that week, but justified my dog’s name for at least another week…
Browns at Ravens November 2007. Phil Dawson pinballs the ball off the upright and off the backstay to tie the game in the fourth and send it into overtime. I was never happier or more fearful for my well-being then that day at M&T Bank Stadium.
The first win in 1999 against the Saints. Couch to KJ….Hail Mary! We waited way too long for that. It relight the fire that keeps on burning today.
The last game at Municipal. I still remember that game as clearly as if it was played just yesterday. I remember the Modell Effigies tailgaiting. I remember how eerie the ticket was, as it showed a (Baltimore?) Colt tackling a Bengal. The game was against Cincy. I remember the aura of heartache in the stands. I remember the emotion the players showed after the win by jumping into the stands. I remember helping the demolition of Muni and walking out with a small piece of my seat from that game. It was the essence of a pyrrhic victory yet felt like the players wanted to give back to the city one last time. I will never forget that win.
So in essence the greatest win for me in Cleveland Browns history was also my greatest heartache.
Biggest win for me has got to be the win vs. the Falcons in 2002 when William Green had the run. Unbelievable game to go to, and surprisingly enough I was sober. The goaline stand, the run, great game all around.
The most special browns win for me was this past thursday win over the Steelers. My son is only 3 months old, and I am trying to raise him as a die hard browns fan. He wears a Browns outfit every gameday, win or lose. But nothing made me more proud last Thursday then to finall share a Browns win with him, and a Browns win I could be proud of. He was wearing his gear for the Bills game, but we all know that was nothing to be proud of.
It was so special because it was the first day I was proud to have him sporting his Browns gear, just like his dad.
Browns Falcons in 2002 to go to the playoffs. I already had playoff tickets lined up if they won and it felt great after 4 years of terrible football.
I was at the Falcons game in 2002, and I still don’t think that stadium has been that loud. It was a great scene for a football game!
93 Browns vs. Steelers is seconded. Metcalf!!!
Don Strock leading the Browns to victory over the Oilers and into the playoffs. Remember “Strock Around the Clock”?
Definitely the win over Atlanta in 2002. It is probably the only time that I can remember a playoff atmosphere at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Couch started, Holcomb finished, and the place was electric the entire time. That goal line stand at the end of the game was epic.
Obvi Falcons in ’02. Having had season tix for some time now, it was the first, and ONLY, time Cleveland Browns Stadium felt Muni-like. It felt like home.
I really really want to win this prize…
October 23. 1989. Browns beat the Bears 27-7 at the old Muni Stadium. Browns start at their own 3 after a great goal line stand by the Defense. Kosar throws a pass to good ol’ #84, Webster Slaughter and it goes for a 97 yard touchdown. This game is the most special because I was 10 years old, and it was the first game I was allowed to stay up late on a school night to watch the game with my old man. We sat on the couch eating Doritos, throwing back some ice cold (root) beers, and high fiving the whole night.
Monday nighter against the Giants last year… never seen anything like that since.
Run William Run!
I’d say in recent memory it’d be the win in 2007 at home against the Ravens. We were just coming off a tough loss to the Raiders yet there was electrifying excitement in the stadium due to the sudden rise of Anderson’s (short lived) brilliance. It was the first regular season game I’d been to with my Mom, and her deep seeded hate for Art Model and the Ravens was glaring. Overall it was a fun and much needed win that left me with a fantastic memory.
Sad that nothing immediately jumps out. If you did “10 most memorable games” how many would be memorable for a good reason? 3?
Anyway, I’ll say the Bengals game in Cincinnati 2007, 51-45. I was there, it was an overall fun experience because of the shootout, and the Bengals fans were having fun with us as the score flipped back and forth.
Double-OT win over the Jets in the playoffs.
Last year’s MNF win against the Giants. My favorite part was reading the NY Time’s running blog during the game and their baffled comments about how well the Browns were doing.
Believe it or not, the win over Pittsburgh last week was the most meaningful win for me. A lifelong Cleveland sports fan, I had to relocate to enemy territory (Pittsburgh) last year for work. Beyond the constant taunts and sneers I wear my Cribbs jersey and my Cleveland colors with pride. Last Thursday was the first win for my Browns since my move to Pittsburgh…and let me tell ya, it felt good to give it back to these Yinzer fans. It seems as if I’ll be calling Pittsburgh ‘home’ for quite a while and I look forward to many more Cleveland wins over these Pittsburgh Stillers…
October 10, 2003 – Sunday Night ESPN
Was treated to a game at Pittsburgh by one of my wife’s vendors. Didnt pay for a single thing the entire night while watching along with a national TV ESPN audience for Sunday Night Football. Saw the Browns TROUNCE Pittsburgh 33-13. By the middle of the 3rd qtr, half of Heinz Field had emptied. The poor guy who treated us was stuck there with us as we made SURE we stayed until the entire game was over. How sweet it was!
Chris
Since there haven’t been a lot of bright spots in my life for the Browns, I’m going with the win in ’99 over the Saints. Granted both teams were not good, but it was still our first win since coming back, and on a last second hail mary.
I remember sitting in my garage carving pumpkins since it looked like the game was over and hearing the end on the radio, with the announcers screaming “He caught it! Browns Win! Browns win!!!”
After the years in football exile, that win stands out, and it the only one I can remember where I was and what I was doing for the game.
I’d have to go with the recent win against Pittsburgh. Over the last few years, I have been steadily watching about 2-3 less games each year, especially with the barrier of moving out of Northeast Ohio. No matter what though, I always catch the Steelers games.
This game really reminded what I really love about watching an entire football game. I was keyed in on every play, jumping up and down and swearing to my hearts content. That game alone will keep me watching for at least a few years more. Here’s hoping that enough time to make it at least back to a .500 team.
Probably before many here were born, but the Joe “Turkey” Jones game against the Squeelers. Why?
1 Browns Win
2 Squeelers Lose
3 Bradshaw hurt (I was 12, I hated him!)
4 Browns Win
I’m with Rob – Browns over Ravens in 2007 in the snow with the controversial Dawson kick at the end. It was shortly after I had moved to Baltimore and I was at the game and it just felt so good to leave there having won the game. I will never understand though why the Ravens replayed the kick on the Jumbotron though – you never replay anything controversial in the stadium.
I mean cold – not snow, don’t know what I was thinking.
gotta be the first win back even though I still hate tim couch that picture of him running around the field after at hail mary was awesome!
The most significant win (but probably not the most exciting win) was in 1985 against the Giants which the Browns won on a missed FG attempt by the Giants kicker… don’t remember his first name, but his last name was Schubert. That was the first game I can remember watching and being really excited about with my parents in the family room. The Browns finished 8-8 that season, but lost in a memorable Divisional Playoff game against the Miami Dolphins. Still, that was Bernie Kosar’s coming-out party and it was just beginning!
My first Browns game in the Dawg Pound was the MNF against the Giants. Me, my uncle, and 2 college roommates headed up for the game. In the parking lot, we were all talking about how winning that game would get the Browns going and really jump start them for a playoff run. Completely dominating the game, the stadium was electric, and leaving the game everyone was just freaking out. It was such a great feeling, one of the happiest I have ever been leaving a CLE team’s stadium. Too bad everyone knows how the story ends…
Falcons game in 2002 – CBS was rocking. I attended many games from 1999-02 and it was great to watch a game that meant something.
There hasn’t been a meaningful victory that even pops into my mind. And to me, if I have to search the internet to find a meaningful victory, then there really isn’t one. So, in short, my answer is none. Beating Pittsburg during a losing season is a joke. Slipping into the playoffs and losing sucks. The first win back is a complete joke. Really, as a 20 year Browns fan, there hasn’t been a meaningful victory yet. The most meaningful game will be the first playoff victory.
The first game against the Bengals in 2007 when D.A. had his coming out party. I live in Cincinnati which made it extra special, and I started Anderson, Braylon, and J. Lew in my fantasy league that week. I was watching it with my father and we were going nuts.
The win over the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 that put us back in the playoffs for the first time since our return. A very emotional game, with a fantastic goal line stand to finish it off.
Having my Mom’s side of the family born and raised in Pittsburgh and my Dad’s side from northeastern OH has been a hard life to live so far. For me nothing matters so long as Pittsburgh people have something to hold over my head. So the only win that means ANYTHING to me is this last time we beat the Steelers….only to be outdone by the next Steelers win. I now have an entire offseason in which they cant say ANYTHING to me. Life is good right now, bring on another 2-14 season so long as the two wins come in the form of a victory over Pittsburgh.
@35 – Hey Robbie – I remember that game. And if I remember correctly, the Browns made the playoffs at 8-8 as division leaders but Denver missed out though they finished 11-5 or something like that….which essentially began the curse held on us by the Broncos ever since.
This one -
Pro-Football Reference
Hands down the most one sided football game I have ever seen. It was incredible.
The win over baltimore two years ago, with the Stover bounceback off the inside of the goal post. It was incredible to go from heartbreak to anger to pure joy in 7 minutes.
’07 Cinci Game. It was the first (and possibly only) time in my life I felt like my team was unbeatable. An answer for everything….
It was also the first (and possibly only) time I blacked out and was had to be physically restrained from skinny dipping in lake erie.
Browns v. Steelers, 2009.
All my other memories are about losses.
Back in the 80′s (86 maybe) when the Browns played the Jets in the playoffs and came back from 10 down in the forth to push it to overtime and eventually win. My dad took me to that game and it is my fondest sports memory. If my memory serves me, Mark Moseley somehow managed to hook a field goal attempt in the first overtime, which still surprises me to this day since he was a straight on kicker.
If I win, I’m getting a customized Mike Junkin jeresy.
Monday, Aug. 9, 1999
The place was Canton’s Fawcett Stadium. For the first time in three years, northeast Ohio was able to witness a football team wearing burnt orange and seal brown run onto a field and play a professional football game.
In the shadow of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the three-year ordeal of no Browns football was over. There was an actual Browns game being played. Hope returned.
As for the game, rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Tim Couch lit up the Cowboys defense going 11-for-17 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown. With 8:06 left in overtime, Phil Dawson kicked a 20-yard field goal giving the Browns the 20-17 win.
The Browns were back!
The Browns won!
The future seemed so bright.
A year later Art Modell’s Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV.
Former coach Bill Belichick became a “genus head coach.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowls in 2005 and 2008.
Meanwhile, the Browns changed quarterbacks, coaches, general managers and loss after loss mounted.
But, the feeling of that August day in 1999 will always be a great memory. A scene that some of us never thought would happen — the Browns playing football again — was playing out and it was thanks, in part, to the fans demanding the colors and history stay in Cleveland.
It’s a big reason why, despite six wins in two seasons, we remain rooting for this team Sunday after Sunday.
Go Browns!
The 07 Cincy game where DA went crazy and threw like he was a god. Once agian though, our hopes were dasshed and he sucked it up the last few games and we missed the playoffs yet again.
I’m a little too young to remember when the Browns were good in the ’80s, so I’ll have to go with the Couch to Johnson hail mary against New Orleans. That was a lot of fun.
I’m loving this past week’s win. It came when everyone needed it. It is so satisfying to have that W against them of all people. Knocking them out of contention tastes great and I am still living on a high off of it. It’s also the first time we beat them since I’ve started really actively following Browns football. I’m lovin it.
Last week’s win over the Steelers (although the 02 Falcons game is close).
This season is the closest I’ve come to being disinterested in the Browns during the season, and the Steelers win brought me back, and now I’m (cautiously) excited about the future. I was able to go to the game, and to see that many Browns fans celebrating the win for a 2-11 team with a -10 wind chill was truly memorable.
It’s been said a few times, but the Couch to KJ hail mary against the Saints is my favorite recent Brownies win.
Since they’ve been back, I think the most special win was Browns Falcons, 2002 to go to the playoffs. The stadium was electric, there was a huge defensive stand at the goal line, William Green broke off that big, memorable run. Great game.
I’ve lived in Boston for the last 10 years, and I enjoy watching the Browns at the Backers bar here whenever I can. My favorite win of recent memory was the Ravens win in 2007 – the “Dawson Bar” game – thinking we had lost to our hated rivals and then – wait – the game’s not over!?!?!! Then the second kick to win it in OT! The place went absolutely nuts. It was a great moment with my fellow fans in what has been a very turbulent decade of Browns football.
I would have to say that the 2007 win over Baltimore with Phil Dawson’s amazing kick. At the time it was a huge win because it put us at 6-4 rather than 5-5, but it was even sweeter because it was against the Ravens. It was nice seeing the Ravens enjoy the win and then see it taken away from them. Of course, we never made the playoffs that year but there was hope that entire year. It was nice thinking about the playoffs rather than our draft status.
The OT win over the Seahawks in 2007. It was the first game I had been to in person since moving out of the area in 2001. My brother and best friend, both Airborne Rangers and officers in the 82nd were with me and it was their first game in person since coming back from Iraq. My friend had received 4 purple hearts and lost his leg from an IED. Since the game was on Veteran’s Day and they wanted to honor all of the area’s soldiers, they held nominations to do the opening coin toss and they chose my buddy. Going down on the field and seeing my friend walk out into the middle of the field with the Browns’ players with his prosthetic leg proudly displayed for everyone to see brought tears to all of us that were with him. At no point in time in my life have I been prouder of my city and to be called a Browns’ fan as that day. Also, the fact that we beat a legitimately good team and the chants of “Pittsburgh sucks” after the win made the day perfect.
the game last thursday – not really of all time, but just like golf – just enough to drag you back out to the course next season
1989 Browns beat the Vikings 23-17 in OT on a trick play. Bernie was in fine form. It’s the only Browns win I’ve ever been present for.
October 24, 1993. Eric Metcalf two punt returns vs. Pittsburgh to win 28-23. Truly epic!
2007 victory over the Ravens. Amazing Phil Dawson.
I want to participate and sadly I’m too fried in the brain from law school finals to think of anything else so I’m going to say that right now it is currently the win on Thursday night over the Steelers because of the grinding it out our defense
My most memorable would be the same as Summit Omar, the old Browns last game at the old stadium. Completely unique and surreal, don’t think I’ll see anything like it again. I was up visiting from S. Carolina (where I had moved three months earlier), wasn’t at the game but watched it with friends in Cleveland.
I asked my dad the same question, and for him, it was no contest: Dec. 27, 1964. Browns win NFL title, beating the Colts 27-0 behind three Frank Ryan to Gary Collins TDs, two Groza FGs and a defense that dominated Unitas into a horrible day. Of course, I have no idea what that felt like, since I didn’t come along for another 8 years.
My first game at Cleveland Browns stadium, a few years back, the OT win over Kansas City. Charlie Frye gets hurt, DA comes in, scrambles for a few yards and next thing you know he gets a boat load of $$.
The 2 OT win over the Jets. That game will always be special. A close second for me, was the win over New England in the ’94 playoffs. Last playoff win for the Browns (yikes). The D came to play in that one and Bledsoe got shut down.
The one thing I’ll never forget about those games was how loud the crowd was at Municipal Stadium. Wish I could have been at the Stadium for those games, but even on TV you could pick up how loud it was. The atmosphere just isn’t the same in the new Stadium. Sure, it has more amenities but Municipal Stadium was special.
After Ohio Stadium, it is still my second favorite venue in all of sports.
the win vs the Steelers in 1999. no question
The 2007 shootout win against the Bengals. For the first time in…my life? (I’m 24)…I actually had some hope that we were on the right track. DA looked like he might be a quality starter. Braylon was incredible. That win paved the way for the most fun I’ve had during an NFL season in a long time. Too bad it was a sham.
The 16-15 Browns Win Over the Steelers first season back.
For me its the steelers win this past week. everytime we beat the steelers or ratbirds, I like it, but this was the first time I got to experience the win in person. The atmosphere when the browns swarm tackled the punt returner was ridiculous. definitely worth sitting in below 0 temps to watch it.
MNF against the Giants last year. It the first time I’d lived in a city that hosted a Monday night game. An excuse to extend the weekend is just fine with me.
As a relatively new Clevelander it was also the first — and one of the few — elated moments I could share with other Browns fans.
This past Thursday’s win against the Squeelers was the first time all season I cheered loudly for my Browns. It pretty much salvaged this season for me, so it was pretty damn special.
October 24, 1993 against the Steelers, first great browns memory.
Thursday: Cleveland 13, P’burgh 6.
The fact that this team is so bad, and Pittsburgh has been so good, clinches it. The fact that we had lost the previous 12 meetings, and that this game knocked Pittsburgh out of the playoff race, is just gravy.
12/16/07 – The Buffalo “Blizzard” Game. 8-0 final score. That game embodied the true meaning of Cleveland football.
The most recent win over the Steelers, I suppose. Not too many to choose from…
While it is fresh in my mind, the most recent win over the Steelers is extra sweet. My girlfriend is a Steelers fan (ya it’s a travesty I know) and this is the first time I can rub it in her face since we started dating. Thanks Browns!
In recent memory, it is the Monday night game against the Giants.
I had to look it up but the game that sticks out the most to me was the day the Browns broke the Three Rivers Curse in ’86. They never won in Three Rivers until that day. I have family that are from Pittsburgh and they would never stop reminding me that the Browns couldn’t win there. It was nice to get them to shut up for a change. I am not old enough to know about the Browns championship wins…only the heartbreaking losses that have “catchy” names like: Red Right 88, The Drive and The Fumble.
i wont dig too far into the time machine…how about last thursday against the steelers…just great to get the monkey off our back by beating the steelers FINALLY
Just because it’s STILL frsh in my mind and making me feel happy all week I have to say the Browns win over the Steelers. I savor every Browns win, but I can’t remember feeling THIS good almost a week after one. I had to put up with years of BS from friends of mine who root for the wrong team and to not have to hear a peep for this long is just plain awesome.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200409120cle.htm
Browns 20, Ravens 3. First game of the 2004 season. Nobody expected the Browns to do well and the Ravens were only 2 years removed from their (cough) Superbowl win. The Browns laid the smack down in front of the home crowd and were the division leaders…if only for a brief moment
Still like all the previous answers above.
Last year’s MNF win against the Giants. I had pregame sideline passes and the big win gave eveyone hope for the season. Putting in for a vacation day on Tuesday let me celebrate after the game too.
january 1, 1995… we won a playoff game. a PLAYOFF game people! (sigh, that was FIFTEEN years ago! wow i feel old)
2007 VS Seattle… Had a delicious bottle of Don Julio tequila and would take a shot everytime the Browns scored. The final score was 33-30 (lots of field goals=lots of Tequila). The Browns pulled off their longest winning streak since who knows when of 3 in a row!
2002 vs falcons. I still remember the announcer saying again and again “the falcons have made the playoffs” as Vick was marching down the field. Eventually we stopped them and won the game. Then everyone stuck around the stadium and they put the patriots dolphins game on the jumbotron. We got to watch a browns win and a belichek loss propel the browns to the playoffs. how sweet is that?
Recent Steelers win. Should be the dagger for the defending Champs this year. Could be a big turning point in the way this team believes in the coaches and systems in place.
The hail mary against NO for the first win of the new team. I was only 10 at the time, so it really was my first memory of a Browns win, because i really didn’t remember anything from 95. There haven’t been too many since then though, unfortunately…
2002 Falcons game sending Browns to the playoffs (where we could of beat the Steelers, had we not lost a (3? touchdown lead).
The win against the Falcons was a glimpse of showing that Browns football was back…
The Seahawks win in OT a couple years ago. First game I attended in person and unbelievably, the Browns somehow got that stop on 4th and short.
the tim couch one against the steelers 13 games ago
The 2006 win over the Chiefs in overtime. Though the game meant nothing, it was my first browns game ever. With Frye out with an injury, Derek Anderson made a triumphant 33 yard run in OT to clinch the win.
My most special win was a few years back when we beat the Ravens to close out the season. The week before I was at the Steelers game on X-Mas Eve, when the Browns lost 41-0. It was my first ever Browns game, and I was 16 years old. My step dad (who took me to the game for Christmas) felt pretty bad, even though I had a pretty good time.
So he surprises me with tickets to the Ravens game the very next week. We go to the game, fully expecting the Browns to lose to the Ravens. But, on that magical Sunday Charlie Frye, Antonio Bryant, and Phil Dawson led the Browns to a beautiful victory. It was my 2nd ever Browns game, but the first win I had seen live. I sat in the Dawg pound and loved every minute of the experience.
GO BROWNS!!!
I’m not eligible, but mine will always be the Clay Matthews INT at the 1 to hold off Buffalo in the playoffs in 1990 (after the 1989 season, I mean). And not just for the end result.
I will remember that day because it was my step-father’s father’s funeral, and we were all very sad. We were driving home from the funeral, and listening to the end of the game. It didn’t sound good as Jim Kelly was just marching the Bills down the field chunks at a time. They got down inside the 10, and on a pass over the middle Clay Matthews was able to slip in front and pick it off to ice the game.
I didn’t see the ending. But I will always remember Nev Chandler’s call on the car radio complete with my step-father letting out a cathartic “YES!!” and taking both hands off the wheel of the car and almost crashing us into a ditch. It was the first thing he’d said in quite awhile.
On a sad, sad day, the Browns and Clay Matthews gave us something to be happy about, if only for a short while.
2002 Falcons game. I was there and it was an awesome game and that stadium was rocking
I’ll go with the latest Browns Steelers game. It was he first Browns Steelers game I have been to and coming out with the win was amazing.
I was at the ’02 Falcons game and the ’07 Blizzard game vs. the Bills…both very awesome games, but I’m going to have to give the nod to the Falcons game…..interesting note about that game…while watching the game with a few buddies and one of their dads my friend’s dad disappears….10 minutes later he calls us and says hey look down on the sidelines and there he is…..he still won’t tell us how he got down there…
I’d say the most important win for the franchise, and also my favorite, would be the one that occurred 5 days ago.
My most memorable Browns losses I’ve seen in person…..
Orlando Brown vs. Jeff Triplett vs. Jaguars
Bottlegate vs. the Jaguars
My favorite has very little historical value, nor does it involve the Steelers: It’s when the Browns beat the Bills 8-0 in a an odd game with an odd score played during a blizzard on my birthday last year.
Browns v. Falcons 2002…a game I attended that I’ll never forget!
Browns-Jets in double OT… still have the (now very grainy) VHS tape of it…
Metcalf 2 TD’s in 1993
The most memorable Browns game was last week’s game against the Steelers. I have never been so excited to see the Browns play defense in my life. Usually when the Browns D is on the field very bad things happen. But this time around, the Browns recorded 8 sacks in one game when just a year a go they had 17 all season!!
I know it’s easy to pick because it just happened, but last week’s win over the Steelers has to be it for me. I went to the game fully expecting to freeze and leave at halftime with the Browns down by 20, but I ended up watching one of the best wins by the Browns in recent memory. Always great to beat the Steelers and crush their playoff hopes on national TV.
The best win I remember was in Canton in 1999. That was my first of many Browns games, and the electricity in the air was amazing. Seeing Browns legends roaming the sidelines… Seeing them run out on to the field for the first time in years…It was a special, special game. The hope that we had after that game was so high. No fanbase has ever deserved a win as much as that one. It didnt count in the standings, but it was huge in the minds of the fans. WE WERE BACK!!!!!!
Definitely the hail mary win over the Saints. I cried when the team left, and cried when they said we would come back. I remember sitting in my Couch jersey watching every game just praying for a win. When Johnson caught the pass, I celebrated like we won the Super Bowl. At that moment, we were BACK!
The win that was most special to me was this past thursday when the Browns beat the Steelers. This was the first time that I got to go to a browns steelers game in person and it lived up to everything I thought it would be. I wanted to get the full experience so my friends and I started tail gaiting at 11am. Giving each steelers fan that walked by their the full amount of heckling that was required. It was such a great experience, and to take it full circle with a win was something I’ll never forget
I’m going to choose that last game against Pittsburgh. Right now it’s my favorite. If we win a couple more this year, have a good draft, a good off-season, and come back to win more games next year and the year after, that game will be seen as a turning point for this ailing franchise. If not, I’ll have to find another game to be my favorite (probably a snow game). It’ll do for now. I’m an optimist. Let’s go Browns!!!
It wasn’t pretty, but definitely was nicer than this year’s win over the Bills-our 07′ 8-0 romp over the Bills in torrid weather conditions…
2007 Browns vs. Bills snow bowl – I was at this game with nice warm club section seats, and went up to the top of the west side bleachers to meet up with a couple buddies and throw snowballs at bills fans – until we saw one guy in a steelers coat who we aimed at the rest of the game
The MNF from last year. It was so unexpected and really came at the right time for me personally. Can’t explain it–it just meant more.
Oh and seeing Roethlisberger act like a little girl in the locker room after the game last week sure puts that win up there.
Mine is the Falcons game in 2002 that got us into the playoffs. I was at that game, and it stands out a lot more than any of the other games I’ve been to. The defense did a great job against vick that day.
It would have to be the last time the Browns beat the Steelers, prior to last THU. I was at my fraternity house in college and when Couch ran that TD into the end zone, I was never more excited about a Browns game since they came back.
The 2001 Super Bowl win was the best!!
You meant Browns wins as the Browns? Well, then I’d take this last one over Pittsburgh. Nothing quite like ruining the playoff hopes of the defending champs.
Tim Couch’s hail mary pass to beat the Saints for the first win of the new Browns. It was the first win I saw as a legitimate Browns fan who wasn’t in diapers.
I can still remember him stepping up and heaving it.
The ’07 game against the Bengals in week 2. Not that historically significant, but one of the most exciting games i’ve seen the browns play in recent memory. We won 51-45 and had over 550 yards of total offense. Plus i loved rubbing it in the faces of the “other” ohio team.
I’m a little young to remember the Modell Browns in too much detail. I started watching around the Kosar to Testaverde switch, but still I was young. That being said…
I say it’s a toss-up between this most recent win against the Steelers and the overtime win against the Seahawks in 2007. The Steelers win is obvious…this season is a disaster like none we’ve seen for a while. To beat our most hated rival and snap their 12 game winning streak was beyond retribution. It truly makes me less angry about the rest of the year and earned Mangini some serious Brownie-points (didn’t mean that to be a pun).
The Seahawks game I will just always remember because it was so close and so intense until the last second. It was truly a grind it out game and will never forget running around my apartment screaming with my roommate about all the good and bad the game entailed. Nor will I forget the shaky-handed victory beer for after the game. Labbatt Blue tasted just a little better that day.
Last Thursday’s win against the Steelers; after 6 long years of ineptitude against Pittsburgh, beating them (even on a down day) felt like winning the Super Bowl. The last time I felt even close to this excited was during the Butch Davis era when we stopped Atlanta and Michael Vick on the goal line and, with a little help from the Jets, got into the playoffs for the first time since the Browns came back in ’99. Thursday still felt better, however, because we’ve been so bad for so very, very long.
Last week Thursday. I haven’t been a fan as long as most people (only 6 years) but that one was special to me because it gives me and other browns fans to hope. To beat a hated rival the way they did in primetime after such a disappointing season shows a lot from the team.
Kiddicus -
Great post. That should have been Cleveland celebrating. Whenever I feel down about the new Browns I remind myself that it is Art Modell’s fault and I transfer all my anger towards him.
I have fond memories of the Browns win over Atlanta that sent the Browns on to the playoffs. I was there, the goal line stand and Green’s big run were all highlights. I took a party bus there which sounds awesome until I realized a couple drinks deep that it didn’t come equipped with a toilet.
It has to be beating Mike Vick (at his peak) and the Falcons to finally get into the playoffs. It was an exciting, dramatic game with the highest stakes any regular season Browns game has had in the last 11 season.
I would have to go with Browns vs. Ravens in ’07. Being too young to remember the Browns of the 90′s, when Phil Dawson hit that insane field goal I was out of my mind. This game symbolized that season to me where everything just seemed to go right for us, except for Tony Dungy keeping us out of the playoffs >:o
3 wins stick out in my young browns fan mind… The hail mary against N.O. the phil dawson field goal against baltimore, and the most recent win against pittsburgh. This past win was the most sweet validation for all of us fans who stick with our team no matter how things are going. I’ve seen every snap this year and sometimes I ask myself why… this game is the reason why.
The December 16 Buffalo Bills win. There were just so many things weird about that game that I can’t seem to forget: the 8-0 score, the field goal hitting the stanchion, the snow…call me a sucker for a low score.
My last three Browns games in person have been the “blizzard game” against the Bills in 2007, the Monday night game against the Giants last year, and last Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh. All three were awesome in their own way, but…
I’m going to have to choose last week’s Pittsburgh game. It was just so sweet tailgating before the game in the cold, then going in and eliminating the Steelers from the playoffs.
When we finally beat the Steelers on Thursday.
Baltimore game two years ago with the Phil Dawson FG that shanked in off the goal post..
MNF Giant game as others mentioned as well…
I’ll go with the browns over the falcons in 2002. Loved the “RUN WILLIAM RUN” call
First win after coming back against the Saints! Couch Couch Couch!
Wait… who was Couch?
I love the dramatic catches at the end, and I don’t have memories prior to ’99 so KJ in New Orleans. Quincy Morgan in Jacksonville was another good example. And Kellen Winslow in Arizona should have been another good example…
It’s been said but the “RUN WILLIAM RUN!” game against atl in 02. William green was running right at me and I thought the stadium was going to explode.
The ’90 playoff game vs Buffalo was great. I was at the game, didn’t know it at the time but it really signaled the beginning of the end of the Kosar era. The team has not been a true Super Bowl contender since. Still remember Don Beebe getting dropped on his head and Ronnie Harmon dropping the would be game winner for Buffalo before the Matthews pick. Great times!
The win against Houston in Week 16 to win the division and make the playoffs was great to as Kevin Mack, recently out of jail, redeemed himself with a huge final series and the game winning TD. Man, I miss those 80s teams…
the buffalo playoff game i forget what year but i was sick for days and we won!
having trouble thinking of a game i actually attended in which we won… saw them beat the texans last year, was fun but not so memorable… but a few years back i went down and saw them play and win against vick’s falcons in atl. what a blast. at first, that dome seemed to all be mocking me in unison in my tim couch jersey, but the silence at the end of that game was pricelessly deafening. and it felt like we owned that town afterward…
Last thursday’s win over the steelers. By far the mos fun game I’ve been to since I’ve been a season ticket holder.
The win against the falcons to get into the playoffs. I wish we had more wins to choose from since they came back
I haven’t been the biggest Browns follower, but absolutely the win last Thursday over the Steelers meant the most to this city, and was a long time coming. It was an awesome feeling and a great gut-shot to Pittsburgh, who had it coming for years. As far as games I’ve been to, I went to the game against Texas a year or two ago when it was an absolute white-out blizzard. I couldn’t even keep my eyes open walking to the stadium, but nevertheless, the fans were abundant and as loud and proud as they could be. I remember thinking “Wow, I would hate to try and take over this city. These people have too much heart and drive to ever give up,” as proven year in and out when we don’t win. We just keep fighting. Anyway the game was a blast because of the insane weather and the fact that we won on a 52+ yard field goal from Dawson in the middle of the blizzard. Musta been like kicking a rock. Great experience.
Last Thursdays win over the Steelers. It has been way to long since that happened and even though Big Ben is a Miami alum, which is where I go to school, I have never been a fan of him so it felt great to finally pull off a W against him. Not to mention, hurting their playoff hopes that much more is absolutely great.
Eric metcalf v steelers. 94
The win over the Saints our first year back. It was a long time coming for the city and the fans. And for it to happen in such dramatic fashion was icing on the cake.
I’ve always lived in markets where unless the Browns where playing in the nationally televised night game, i wasn’t seeing them. With that said, the MNF game against the Giants and this past Thursday against the Steelers are the wins i will always remember. With the rarity that i see the Browns on TV, its always special when they get the W.
I’m going with the Saints game in ’99. I remember jumping up and down and screaming after that one…in a good way.
I was at the Browns win over the Falcons that put them in the playoffs in 02…It was me and my pops and when William Green busted loose for that TD run that put the Browns ahead for good…I don’t think there was ever a happier time in my life
Browns Bengals, 07, week 2. I was living in Chicago, and made my friends go to a bar with all the games on so I could watch it. They ended up on the big screen, and I was getting pats on the back while wearing my Jamir Miller jersey.
Nothing will top sitting in below zero degrees, watching the Browns beat the Steelers. Especially since I went to college in Pittsburgh. It’s more fun reconnecting with old friends after that game.
A close second however, would be the 2004 home opener. When the Browns beat the Ravens 20-3. I was at that game too.
As I was 7 when the team left town, I was never able to make a Browns game at old Municipal Stadium. The first game I was able to attend was in the 2001 season. The victory over the Detroit Lions and former Browns QB Ty Detmer will always be a great memory.