Turn back the clock: 5 Memorable Cleveland Browns home openers
By John Suchan
No. 2: 2018 Browns versus the Steelers, 21-21 tie
This game is remembered because it ended up being a tie and though for Cleveland it wasn’t a win, it was not a loss, which at the moment was a bit of a moral victory for the team. The Browns went 0-17 the previous season so it was a step in the right direction. Two weeks later Baker Mayfield would step in as the Cleveland quarterback and lead them to their first victory in over 600 days.
In this one though, Cleveland was able to tie the game at the end of regulation but was not able to win it in overtime. It was an ugly weather game as well, where it rained during much of the game Both teams had chances at a game winning field goal in the extra period but faltered. The Browns forced six turnovers too, which usually would spell victory but that didn’t happen.
No. 1: 2004 Browns versus Ravens, 20-3 win
It had been almost a decade between home wins and Cleveland was a renewed franchise that had returned to the NFL in 1999 after a three-year hiatus. Cleveland had veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia behind center, and he was able to provide just enough spark in the second half to claim victory.
Garcia scampered three yards to pay dirt to secure the game late in the fourth quarter. Little did anyone know at the time that it would be 18 years later before the Browns would win a season opener.
Now, we are ready to see if Cleveland can continue a nice new trend where they’ll go for their third straight home opener win with this game on Sunday against the New York Jets. They beat the Houston Texans last season and won that Bengals game back in 2020.
