The sports calendar may be empty, but technology gives Cleveland Browns fans an opportunity to get our football fix. It’s not the same, but with all of us having a little more time on our hand than we’d like, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Cleveland Browns have played in their share of Instant Classics. The Browns first win in the expansion era was an uneventful game that ended with a Hail Mary pass from Tim Couch to Kevin Johnson.
Since then the Browns have given us Bottlegate, the kick-six against the Ravens. Dwayne Rudd cost the Browns a game by removing his helmet. Myles Garrett ended last season by removing Mason Rudolph‘s helmet. Through it all, the team defined by its plain orange helmet has given fans only one playoff season, but the team has still provided many memories.
Every Browns fan is doing their part to flatten the curve of the coronavirus by practicing social distancing. We all look forward to a time when fans can get together to cheer our Browns on at our favorite restaurant, bar, or right at FirstEnergy Stadium.
But until then, we’ll have to make due with replays. In the first of a series, we present 5 games to watch while social distancing. Every game selected is from the expansion era (1999-2019). And I made the decision to only include games that the Browns won.
Fortunately, the NFL is doing fans a solid. NFL Game Pass is offering their service free through May 31. It has games from the 2009 season through last year. However, YouTube is a good source for some of the earlier games.
The games are presented in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent. There is no way I could possibly capture every game. Be sure to include your favorites in the comments below.