Cleveland Browns vs. N.Y. Jets: 5 best games of all-time
By Thomas Moore
Just as they will do this Sunday, the Browns hit the road for the season opener in 1979 to take on the Jets, with the only difference being the Jets still called Shea Stadium home at the time.
Cleveland took a 19-13 lead into the fourth quarter and seemed poised to put the game away when they faced a fourth-and-inches on the Jets’ 14-yard line. New York’s defense held, however, and the game turned into an opening-weekend classic.
The Jets marched down the field to score the tying touchdown on a five-yard run by Kevin Long. The Jets would miss the extra-point, however, leaving the game tied.
On the ensuring kickoff, Cleveland’s Ricky Feacher fumbled the ball, with the Jets recovering. The Browns’ defense held, forcing the Jets to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Nick Leahy, giving New York a 22-19 lead with just under two minutes remaining.
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Cleveland quarterback Brian Sipe, embracing his inner Kardiac Kid, drove the Browns from their own 14-yard line to the New York 18, where Don Cockroft converted a 35-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Browns survived a blocked punt thanks to a dominant pass rush that dropped New York quarterback Matt Robinson five times, including a hat trick from defensive end Lyle Alzado. The game appeared headed for a draw until Browns’ defensive back Oliver Davis intercepted a Robinson pass with 35 seconds remaining, returning the ball to the New York 31-yard line.
Sipe hit wide receiver Dave Logan, who finished the game with six receptions for 115 yards, with a pass that brought the Browns into field goal range and, with 18 seconds remaining, Cockroft hit a 27-yarder to win the game.
Sipe would finish the game with 302 passing yards, one of his franchise-best 18 300-yard passing games.
The win would start the Browns on a season that would have them in playoff contention until the final weeks of the season and gave fans a taste of what was to come in one of the most exciting seasons in the decade for the team.
Next: No. 3: The Greg Pruitt Show