Cleveland Browns: Top 10 receiving games of all-time
By Thomas Moore
The 1986 season was a special one for the Browns, who rolled to their second-consecutive division title and claiming home field advantage in the AFC playoffs after posting a 12-4 record, still the most wins in a single season since the franchise joined the NFL in 1950.
That is part of the reason why the game against San Diego on Dec. 21, 1986, turned into an impromptu holiday party.
The Browns had clinched the division title the week before in a 34-3 beat down of Cincinnati, so the team and the fans were ready to celebrate.
With nothing to play for, the offense opened things up as they rolled over the Chargers, 47-17. Among quarterback Bernie Kosar‘s 357 passing yards on the day were 176 yards (on seven receptions) by wide receiver Brian Brennan, then in his third year with the team. Fifty-seven of those yards came on a touchdown pass from Kosar to Brennan at the end of the first half.
The game helped Brennan finish the season with 55 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns – all team highs.
It was the best of Brennan’s eight seasons with the Browns, and he would finish his time in Cleveland with 315 receptions, 4,148 yards and 19 receiving touchdowns.
Next: Tied No. 7: The untouchable Eric Metcalf