2017 Cleveland Browns season

2017 Cleveland Browns season
Head coach Hue Jackson
General manager Sashi Brown[1] (fired Week 13)
John Dorsey
Owner Jimmy Haslam
Home field FirstEnergy Stadium
Results
Record 0–16
Division place 4th AFC North
Playoff finish Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers LB Joe Schobert

The 2017 season was the Cleveland Browns' 69th as a professional sports franchise, their 65th season as a member of the National Football League, their second under head coach Hue Jackson and their second and final season under GM Sashi Brown.

The Browns failed to improve upon their 1–15 record from the previous season, losing all sixteen games in 2017 and continuing a losing streak dating to the final game of the previous season. They became the second team in NFL history to go 0–16 after the 2008 Detroit Lions. The Browns became the twelfth NFL team to have gone winless playing eight games or more and the fourth since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

The season saw the Browns play in London for the first time in franchise history, where they lost to the Minnesota Vikings 33–16 on October 29.

In going 0–16, the Browns became the first franchise in NFL history to have multiple seasons with 15 or more losses and the first to start consecutive seasons with at least 14 losses. They were mathematically eliminated from the AFC North title contention in Week 11, extending an active NFL record drought of 25 consecutive seasons without a division title. They were then eliminated from playoff contention in Week 12, extending their franchise record playoff drought to 15 consecutive seasons. With the Buffalo Bills qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 1999, the Browns now have the longest postseason drought in the NFL and the second longest in the four major American sports leagues, only behind the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.

The Browns finished 4th place in the AFC North for the seventh consecutive season in addition to finishing the season with a losing record for the tenth consecutive season, extending a franchise record. It was the first season in which the team lost every home game since 1999. The Browns also extended their road losing streak to 21 games and their losing streak within the division to 17 games, both date back to the 2015 season. A Week 13 loss moved the Browns to 1–27 in their first 28 games under Jackson, surpassing the 1976–77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the worst 28 game start (2–26) for a regime in NFL history. The Browns would finish the 2017 season with a combined record of 1–31 over the previous two seasons, an NFL record for worst winning percentage over any two season span. After starting 2014 with a promising 6–3 record heading into Week 11, the Browns went 5–50 in the 55 games between that point and the end of this season.

On December 7, Brown was relieved of his duties as executive vice president. John Dorsey, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, was hired as general manager the same day.[2] To further add to these failures, offensive tackle Joe Thomas missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, as he tore his left triceps on October 22, ending his season. Before his injury, Thomas had not missed a single snap since joining the league in 2007, a total of 10,363 plays.[3] He then decided to retire on March 14, 2018 following the season.

Offseason

Coaching changes

On January 7, the Browns fired defensive coordinator Ray Horton. A day later, they hired Gregg Williams as his replacement. Williams had previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.[4]

On January 9, associate head coach Pep Hamilton left the Browns to become assistant head coach at the University of Michigan. Hamilton was also the Browns' quarterbacks coach.[5]

On January 10, the Browns fired five assistant coaches: offensive line coach Hal Hunter, inside linebackers coach Johnny Holland, outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik, defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi, and assistant defensive backs coach Cannon Matthews.[6]

On January 13, the Browns hired DeWayne Walker as defensive backs coach. A day later, they hired Blake Williams as linebackers coach, Jerod Kruse as assistant defensive backs coach, and Bob Wylie as offensive line coach.[7]

On January 17, the Browns fired defensive line coach Robert Nunn and hired Clyde Simmons as his replacement.[7]

On February 8, the Browns hired former Buffalo Bills assistant David Lee as their quarterbacks coach.[8]

Roster changes

Free agents

The following players, who played for the Browns in 2016, were eligible for free agency in 2017.

PosPlayerTag2017 teamSigned
WRMario AlfordERFAChicago BearsSeptember 12[9]
RBGeorge Atkinson IIIERFAOakland RaidersJuly 29[10]
CBMarcus BurleyRFACleveland BrownsMarch 20[11]
LBJamie CollinsUFACleveland BrownsJanuary 23[12]
PBritton ColquittUFACleveland BrownsFebruary 28[13]
RBIsaiah CrowellRFACleveland BrownsFebruary 28[14]
DEJamie MederERFACleveland BrownsMarch 28[15]
RBRajion NealERFAHamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)October 18[16]
DEStephen PaeaUFADallas CowboysMarch 10[17]
OTAustin PasztorUFAAtlanta FalconsAugust 18[18]
FSJordan PoyerUFABuffalo BillsMarch 9[19]
WRTerrelle PryorUFAWashington RedskinsMarch 10[20]
RBGlenn WinstonRFA
DTGabe WrightERFAPhiladelphia EaglesJune 5[21]
DEDylan WynnERFA

Releases

PosPlayerReleased2017 teamSigned
OLAlvin BaileyApril 20[22]
TEGary BarnidgeApril 28[23]
OTJosh BoutteMay 15[24]
STrae ElstonApril 20[22]Buffalo BillsApril 21[25]
QBRobert Griffin IIIMarch 10[26]
CB Joe Haden August 30[27] Pittsburgh Steelers August 30[27]
CBTracy HowardApril 20[22]Jacksonville Jaguars
WRAndrew HawkinsFebruary 27[28]New England Patriots
KBrett MaherMay 2[29]
QBJosh McCownFebruary 7[30]New York JetsMarch 20 [31]
CBTramon WilliamsFebruary 7[30]

Signings

Pos.Player2016 TeamSigned
WRKenny BrittLos Angeles RamsMarch 9[32]
KBrett MaherHamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)March 20[33]
CMarcus Martin *San Francisco 49ersMarch 9[34]
OTMatt McCantsChicago BearsMarch 27[35]
CBJason McCourtyTennessee TitansMay 16 [36]
FSTyvis Powell *Seattle SeahawksFebruary 6[37]
CJC TretterGreen Bay PackersMarch 9[38]
WRJames Wright *Cincinnati BengalsMarch 14[39]
GKevin ZeitlerCincinnati BengalsMarch 9[38]

* Player was claimed off waivers

Trades

DateTrade partner(s)Player(s)/Pick(s) acquiredPlayer(s)/Pick(s) tradedNotes
March 9Houston TexansQB Brock Osweiler
2017 6th round selection (No. 188)
2018 2nd round selection		2017 4th round selection (No. 142)[40]

2017 Draft Class

2017 Cleveland Browns Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
11 Myles GarrettDETexas A&M
25 Jabrill PeppersSMichigan
29 David NjokuTEMiami
252 DeShone KizerQBNotre Dame
365 Larry OgunjobiDTCharlotte
4126 Howard WilsonCBHouston
5160 Roderick JohnsonOTFlorida State
6185 Caleb BrantleyDTFlorida
7224 Zane GonzalezKArizona State
252 Matt DayesRBNC State

Undrafted Free Agents

2017 Cleveland Browns UDFA
PlayerPositionCollege
B.J. BelloLBIllinois State
Donte CareyDBGrand Valley State
Ladell FlemingDENorthern Illinois
J. D. HarmonCBKentucky
Alvin HillCBMaryland
Jamal MarcusDEAkron
Taylor McNamaraTEUSC
Najee MurrayDBKent State
Kai NacuaSBYU
Kenneth OlugbodeLBColorado
Karter SchultDENorthern Iowa
Channing StriblingCBMichigan

Staff

2017 Cleveland Browns staff
Front office
  • Owners – Jimmy and Dee Haslam
  • Chief Strategy Officer – Paul DePodesta
  • General Manager – John Dorsey
  • Vice President, Player Personnel – Andrew Berry
  • Vice President, Player Personnel – Ken Kovash
  • Senior Football Executive – Ryan Grigson
  • Director of Football Administration – Chris Cooper
  • Director of Research & Strategy – Kevin Meers
  • Director of Player Personnel – Chisolm Opara
  • Director of College Scouting – Bobby Vega
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Dan Saganey
  • Director of Scouting – Mike Cetta
  • Assistant Director of Scouting – Glenn Cook
  • Special Advisor – Jim Brown

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator - vacant
  • Quarterbacks – David Lee
  • Running Backs/Run Game Coordinator – vacant
  • Tight Ends – Greg Seamon
  • Offensive Line – Bob Wylie
  • Assistant Offensive Line – Mark Hutson
  • Senior Offensive Assistant/Wide Receivers – Al Saunders
  • Offensive Quality Control/Assistant Wide Receivers – Bob Saunders
  • Offensive Quality Control/Assistant Running Backs – Rock Cartwright
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Chris Tabor
  • Special Teams Assistant – Shawn Mennenga
  • Special Teams Quality Control – Stan Watson

Strength and conditioning

  • Director, High Performance – Adam Beard
  • Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Evan Marcus
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Art Tolhurst
  • Sports Scientist – Jamey Mroz

Final roster

2017 Cleveland Browns final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 Active, 12 Inactive, 10 Practice squad

Preseason

The Browns in a preseason game against the Giants

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 August 10 New Orleans Saints W 20–14 1–0 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
2 August 21 New York Giants W 10–6 2–0 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 August 26 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–9 3–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
4 August 31 at Chicago Bears W 25–0 4–0 Soldier Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 10 Pittsburgh Steelers L 18–21 0–1 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
2 September 17 at Baltimore Ravens L 10–24 0–2 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
3 September 24 at Indianapolis Colts L 28–31 0–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
4 October 1 Cincinnati Bengals L 7–31 0–4 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
5 October 8 New York Jets L 14–17 0–5 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
6 October 15 at Houston Texans L 17–33 0–6 NRG Stadium Recap
7 October 22 Tennessee Titans L 9–12 (OT) 0–7 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
8 October 29 Minnesota Vikings L 16–33 0–8 Twickenham Stadium (London) Recap
9 Bye
10 November 12 at Detroit Lions L 24–38 0–9 Ford Field Recap
11 November 19 Jacksonville Jaguars L 7–19 0–10 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
12 November 26 at Cincinnati Bengals L 16–30 0–11 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
13 December 3 at Los Angeles Chargers L 10–19 0–12 StubHub Center Recap
14 December 10 Green Bay Packers L 21–27 (OT) 0–13 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
15 December 17 Baltimore Ravens L 10–27 0–14 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
16 December 24 at Chicago Bears L 3–20 0–15 Soldier Field Recap
17 December 31 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 24–28 0–16 Heinz Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week One: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 7 7021
Browns 7 0 3818

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

The Browns dropped their 13th consecutive season-opening game with a 21–18 loss to the Steelers.[41]

The scoring began early in the first quarter when Pittsburgh's Tyler Matakevich blocked a Britton Colquitt punt, knocking the ball into the end zone where it was recovered by Anthony Chickillo for a touchdown.[42] The Browns were able to tie the score by the end of the first quarter, however, as rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer orchestrated a 12-play drive that ended when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.[43]

The game stayed at 7–7 through most of the second quarter, until the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connected with tight end Jesse James on a 4-yard touchdown with 45 seconds left in the first half. The 7–play, 91-yard scoring drive was highlighted by a 50-yard reception by Antonio Brown on a tipped ball.[44]

After a Zane Gonzalez field goal brought the Browns within 14–10 early in the third quarter, the Steelers drove down the field again. Roethlisberger threw a second touchdown pass to James to put them up by 11, 21–10. The drive was boosted by a 41-yard pass interference penalty on Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor on a deep pass intended for Brown.[44]

The score remained 21–10 until under four minutes remained in the game, when Kizer was able to throw his first career touchdown pass to Corey Coleman. A two–point conversion run by Isaiah Crowell brought the Browns to within a field goal, 21–18.[45]

The Browns did not get a chance to score again, however, as the Steelers were able to run out the clock after a long pass from Roethlisberger to Brown. Browns head coach Hue Jackson challenged the ruling; however, the catch call on the field was upheld.[46]

With their 13th straight season–opening loss, which extended an NFL record, the Browns started 0–1. The Browns also lost their 12th straight game against a divisional opponent.[47]

Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Two: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 3010
Ravens 7 14 0324

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

After losing at home, the Browns traveled to Baltimore for game 1 against the Ravens. The Ravens scored the only points of the first quarter when Terrence West ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. They would make it 14-0 in the second quarter when Javorius Allen caught a 9-yard pass from Joe Flacco. The Browns got on the board when Kevin Hogan found David Njoku on a 23-yard pass to make it 14-7. The Ravens then moved up by 2 touchdowns at halftime when Flacco found Jeremy Maclin on a 2-yard pass to make it 21-7. In the third quarter, the Browns drew closer when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 38-yard field goal to make it 21-10. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens sealed the game with a field goal of their own: Justin Tucker kicked it from 28 yards out to make the final score 24-10.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–2. Ravens QB, Joe Flacco, improved to 16–2 against the Browns for his career while the Browns lost their 14th straight road game.

Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts

Week Three: Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 14 01428
Colts 7 21 0331

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Browns were a Vegas road favorite for the first time since 2012 and an overall favorite for the first time since 2015. The Colts drew first blood in the first quarter when backup QB Jacoby Brissett ran for a 5-yard touchdown to make the score 7-0 for the quarter's only points. The Browns managed to tie it up in the second quarter when Duke Johnson Jr. ran for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 7-7. Though the Colts then responded with 3 straight touchdowns: Brissett ran for another one from 7 yards out followed up by a 61-yard passing touchdown from him to T.Y. Hilton. Lastly, the Frank Gore ran for a 4-yard touchdown for lead changes of 14-7, 21-7, and 28-7. The Browns managed to make the score 28-14 at halftime when DeShone Kizer found David Njoku on a 1-yard pass. After a scoreless third quarter, the Colts managed to increase their lead when Adam Vinatieri nailed a 33-yard field goal to make it 31-14. The Browns tried to rally with 2 more touchdowns: Kizer connected with Kenny Britt on an 11-yard pass to make it 31-21. This would be followed up by Kizer running in for a touchdown himself from a yard out to make it 31-28. The Browns failed to recover the onside kick and it sealed the win for the Colts.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–3.

Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Four: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 21 10031
Browns 0 0 077

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

The Browns then returned for a game against their division rival Bengals in Game 1 of the Battle of Ohio. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bengals offense exploded in the second quarter with 3 touchdowns: Dalton threw all 3 when he found A.J. Green on a 7-yard pass, Tyler Kroft on a 3-yard pass, and Giovani Bernard on a 61-yard pass to make the score 7-0, 14-0, and 21-0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bengals increased their lead when Randy Bullock kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 24-0. This would be followed by Dalton's 4th touchdown pass of the game: Another one to Kroft from 16 yards out to make it 31-0. The Browns scored their only points of the game in the fourth quarter when Duke Johnson Jr. ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make the final score 31-7.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–4 and had sole possession of last place in the AFC North.

Week 5: vs. New York Jets

Week Five: New York Jets at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jets 0 3 7717
Browns 0 0 7714

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

After a horrifying loss, the Browns stayed home for a game against the Jets. After a scoreless first quarter, the Jets managed to score the first half's only points when Chandler Catanzaro nailed a 57-yard field goal to make it 3-0 at halftime. The Browns managed to take the lead in the third quarter when Kevin Hogan found David Njoku on a 21-yard pass to make it 7-3. The Jets however retook the lead later on in the quarter when Josh McCown found Austin Seferian-Jenkins to make it 10-7. They would increase their lead in the fourth quarter when McCown found Jermaine Kearse on a 24-yard pass to make it 17-7. The Browns came up short when Hogan found Duke Johnson Jr. on a 41-yard pass to make the final score 17-14. The Browns missed 2 field goals, had 3 turnovers, and were 0/3 in the red zone.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–5. They were the only team in the AFC without a victory through five weeks of the season.

Week 6: at Houston Texans

Week Six: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 01417
Texans 10 14 9033

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Browns traveled for a duel against the Texans. The Texans scored first when Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a 40-yard field goal to make it 3-0. This would be followed up by the Browns tying the game up when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 41-yard field goal making the score 3-3. Afterwards, the Texans would score 30 unanswered points: Later on in the first quarter, DeShaun Watson found Will Fuller V on a 39-yard pass to make it 10-3. In the second quarter, Johnathan Joseph returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-3 followed up by Watson connecting with Braxton Miller on a 1-yard pass to make it 24-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, a penalty got enforced on Kevin Hogan in the end zone giving the Texans a safety and increasing their lead to 26-3. Watson then found DeAndre Hopkins on a 3-yard pass to make it 33-3. The Browns scored twice in the fourth quarter when Jason McCourty returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown to make it 33-10. Finally, Hogan for Seth DeValve on a 3-yard pass to make the final score 33-17.

The Texans routed the Browns, dropping them to 0–6.

Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Seven: Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Titans 3 3 03312
Browns 0 3 3309

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 59,061
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns then returned home for a game against the Titans. In a highly defensive battle of no touchdowns, the Titans scored first when Ryan Succop kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 3-0. The Browns tied it up when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 3-3. The Titans retook the lead with Succop's 23-yard field goal to make it 6-3 at halftime. The Browns then tied it up when Zane Gonzalez nailed 47-yard field goal to make it 6-6 for the only points in the third quarter. The Titans then moved ahead in the fourth quarter after Succop kicked another field goal from 46 yards out to make it 9-6. The Browns forced overtime when Gonzalez nailed a 54-yard field goal to make it 9-9. In overtime, the Titans scored the eventual game-winning field goal when Succop nailed it from 47 yards out to make the final score 12-9.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–7. The loss led to Browns starting 0–7 for only the 4th time in franchise history (1975, 1999, and 2016). It was the first time in 23 games under Hue Jackson that the Browns failed to score a touchdown. During the third quarter, ten-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas suffered an injury to his arm and was knocked out of the rest of the game, making this the first time since joining the Browns in 2007 that he had missed an offensive play. The day after the game, it was announced that Thomas had torn his triceps and would likely miss the rest of the season.[48] It turned out to be his last NFL game, as Thomas announced his retirement on March 14, 2018.

Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings

NFL London Games

Week Eight: Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 9 111033
Browns 6 7 3016

at Twickenham Stadium, London, England

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 74,237
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (NFLN): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns traveled to London but were considered home team against the Vikings. They scored first in the first quarter when Isaiah Crowell ran for a 26-yard touchdown (with a failed PAT) to make it 6-0. The Vikes got on the board when Kai Forbath kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 6-3. The Vikes took the lead when Case Keenum found Adam Thielen on an 18-yard pass (with a failed PAT) to make it 9-3. DeShone Kizer ran for a 1-yard touchdown to put the Browns back in the lead 13-9. Though, the Vikes soon followed when Forbath kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 13-12 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Vikes retook the lead after Forbath kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 15-13. Zane Gonzalez then put up a 23-yard field goal to make it 16-15 in favor of the Browns retaking the lead. Though it wouldn't last long when the Vikes retook the lead later on in the quarter when Jerick McKinnon ran for a 1-yard touchdown (with a successful 2-point conversion) to make it 23-16. In the fourth quarter, the Vikes sealed the game when Keenum found Kyle Rudolph on a 4-yard pass to make it 30-16. Then Forbath kicked a 51-yard field goal to make the final score 33-16.

With the loss, the Browns went into their bye week 0–8.

Week 10: at Detroit Lions

Week Ten: Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 10 0 14024
Lions 3 14 71438

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,646
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Coming off of their bye week, the Browns traveled north to take on the Lions. The Browns scored first when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 23-yard field goal to make it 3-0. They would make it 10-0 when DeShone Kizer found Kenny Britt on a 19-yard touchdown. The Lions then scored 17 straight points going into the second quarter: Starting with Matt Prater nailing a 46-yard field goal followed up by Ameer Abdullah running for an 8-yard touchdown, and finally Nevin Lawson returning a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown to make the score 10-3, tie the game at 10-10 and then make it 17-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns managed to retake the lead when Isaiah Crowell ran for a 6-yard touchdown followed up by Kizer running for a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17 and then move up 24-17. The lead would be short-lived however as the Lions tied the game up with under a minute to go in the quarter when Matthew Stafford found Theo Reddick on an 8-yard pass to tie the game back up 24-24. In the fourth quarter, the Lions were able to seal the game with 2 more touchdowns: Stafford found Eric Ebron on a 29-yard pass to retake the lead 31-24 and then found Golden Tate on a 40-yard pass to make the final score 38-24.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–9, clinching a losing record for the 10th consecutive season, extending their franchise record drought. The San Francisco 49ers' win over the New York Giants later that day left the Browns as the only winless team in the NFL through 10 weeks of the season.

Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Eleven: Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 7 3 0919
Browns 0 7 007

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,003
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns returned home after a tough road loss to take on the Jaguars. The Jags would score first in the first quarter when Blake Bortles found Marcedes Lewis on a 10-yard pass to make it 7-0 for the quarter's only score. In the second quarter they made it 10-0 when Josh Lambo kicked a 38-yard field goal. The Browns got on the board when DeShone Kizer found Duke Johnson on a 27-yard pass to make it 10-7 at halftime. In the second half, it was all Jags after a scoreless third quarter as Lambo nailed a 39-yard field goal to make it 13-7 followed up by Telvin Smith recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 19-7. The Browns committed five turnovers, including two interceptions and two lost fumbles from Kizer.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–10. Combined with the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory the Browns were mathematically eliminated from AFC North contention, marking the 25th consecutive season the Browns did not win a division title.

Week 12: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Twelve: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 3 3716
Bengals 7 9 7730

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 51,710
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns then traveled to take on the Bengals in Game 2 of the Battle of Ohio. In the first quarter, the Browns took an early 3-0 lead when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 27-yard field goal. Though, though the Bengals responded when Andy Dalton found Tyler Boyd on an 8-yard pass to make it 7-3. In the second quarter, the Bengals increased their lead with 3 field goals kicked by Randy Bullock: from 31, 49, and 21 yards out to make the score 10-3, 13-3, and 16-3. The Browns made it 16-6 before halftime when Gonzalez kicked a 21-yard field goal. The Bengals moved further ahead when Dalton found Tyler Kroft on a 1-yard pass to make it 23-6. The Browns came within 2 touchdowns when Gonzalez kicked his third field goal of the day from 39 yards out to make it 23-9 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, DeShone Kizer ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 23-16. Though later on, the Bengals sealed the game when Joe Mixon ran for an 11-yard touchdown.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–11 and were eliminated from playoff contention for the 15th consecutive season.

Week 13: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week Thirteen: Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 0310
Chargers 0 9 10019

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 25,320
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns then traveled further west to take on the Chargers. In the first quarter, the Chargers would score 2 field goals to start out: Travis Coons kicked them both from 21 and 40 yards out to make the lead 3-0 to 6-0. The Browns took the lead however when DeShone Kizer found David Njoku on a 28-yard pass to make it 7-6. Though, the Chargers would move back into the lead when Coons kicked his third field goal of the day from 22 yards out to make it 9-7. This would remain the halftime score as neither team scored in the second quarter. In the third quarter however, the Chargers managed to increase their lead when Philip Rivers found Keenan Allen on a 7-yard pass to make it 16-7. This would be followed up by Coons kicking a fourth field goal from 27 yards out to put his team up 19-7. The Browns scored their only points in the half during the fourth quarter when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 35-yard field goal, making the final score 19–10

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–12. The loss made the Browns 1–27 in the first 28 games under Jackson and Brown, overtaking the 1976–1977 Buccaneers (2–26) for the worst 28 game start under a head coach and general manager in NFL history.

On December 7, Sashi Brown was fired as general manager. Hours later, the Browns announced former Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey as their new general manager.

Week 14: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Fourteen: Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Packers 7 0 014627
Browns 7 7 70021

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

The Browns returned home to take on the Packers and their backup QB Brett Hundley. In the first quarter, the Packers took an early lead when Hundley found Jamaal Adams on a 30-yard pass to make it 7-0. The Browns tied the game up later on in the quarter when DeShone Kizer found Josh Gordon on an 18-yard pass to make it 7-7. In the second quarter, the Browns moved into the lead when Kizer connected with Duke Johnson Jr. on a 7-yard pass to make it 14-7 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns moved ahead by 2 touchdowns when Kizer found Corey Coleman on a 2-yard pass to make it 21-7. In the fourth quarter however, the Packers managed to tie it up when Jamaal Williams ran for a 1-yard touchdown followed up by Hundley connecting with Davante Adams on a 1-yard pass to make it 21-14 then 21-21 to force overtime.

In overtime, Cleveland won the toss but Kizer threw an interception to Packers rookie safety Josh Jones. Adams later scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hundley to seal a 27-21 Green Bay win.

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 0-13. They became the first franchise in NFL history to start 0-13 in consecutive seasons.

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Fifteen: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 14 10027
Browns 0 10 0010

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

The Browns then went home for their home finale of the season. The Ravens scored the first quarter's only points when Justin Tucker kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 3-0. In the second quarter, the Browns took the lead when Duke Johnson Jr. ran for a 12-yard touchdown to make it 7-3. Though, the Ravens moved back into the lead when Joe Flacco ran for a 2-yard touchdown followed up by Flacco finding Benjamin Watson on a 33-yard pass to make it 10-7 and then 17-7. Zane Gonzalez got the Browns within a touchdown when he kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 17-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Ravens scored the second half's only 10 points to eventually seal the game when Brandon Williams recovered a fumble for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 24-10. Tucker then hit a 43-yard field goal. The Ravens defeated the Browns 27-10,

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0-14. The Browns were held winless at home for the first time since 1999.

Week 16: at Chicago Bears

Week Sixteen: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 003
Bears 6 0 14020

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

The Browns then traveled to Chicago to take on the Bears. In the first quarter, the Bears scored first when Jordan Howard ran for a 2-yard touchdown (with a failed PAT) to make it 6-0. In the second quarter, the Browns scored when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 6-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, it was all Bears when Howard ran for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 13-3. This would be followed by Mitchell Trubisky's 4-yard run for a touchdown to make it 20-3. With the fourth quarter scoreless, this would be the final score of the game.

With their 20th consecutive loss, the Browns fell to 0-15. They also became the first franchise in NFL history to have multiple seasons with 15 or more losses. The loss also secured the #1 overall draft pick for a second straight season. The Browns became the first team since the 1999 and 2000 Browns to have the #1 overall pick in back-to-back drafts, and the first non-expansion team to do so since the 1994 and 1995 Cincinnati Bengals.

Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Seventeen: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 14 10024
Steelers 7 14 7028

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 11 °F (−12 °C), snow
  • Game attendance: 50,704
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In one last effort to avoid a 0-16 season, the Browns played their final regular season game against their divisional rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Browns were competitive throughout the game due to the Steelers, who had been effectively locked into the #2 seed in the playoffs, resting most of their starters. The Steelers took an early lead in the first quarter when Darrius Heyward-Bey ran for a 29-yard run for a touchdown to make it 7-0. They would make it 14-0 in the second quarter when Landry Jones found Juju Smith-Schuster for a 20-yard pass. The Browns then got on the board when Duke Johnson ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 14-7. The Steelers pulled away by double digits after Stevan Ridley ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 21-7. The Browns then came within 7 when DeShone Kizer found Rashard Higgins on a 56-yard pass to make it 21-14 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns managed to tie the game at 21-21 when Kizer and Higgins connected again on a 5-yard pass. The Steelers retook the lead when Smith-Schuster returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-21. Zane Gonzalez then got the Browns within 4 with a 51-yard field goal to make it 28-24.

In a highly defensive fourth quarter, the Browns tried to rally a comeback and win. However, on 4th-and-2 with 1:46 left in the game, Browns receiver Corey Coleman dropped a wide open pass from Kizer at the Steelers' 11-yard line, giving the ball back to the Steelers on downs and sealing the Browns' fate.

With the loss, the Browns became the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16 after the 2008 Detroit Lions. Hue Jackson's career record with the Browns fell to 1-31, the worst 32-game record since the league adapted a 16-game schedule in 1978. The Browns tied their franchise record of 17 straight losses. It also was their 21st consecutive road loss, 17th consecutive loss against a divisional opponent, and 14th consecutive loss in Pittsburgh. The Browns have lost 50 of 55 games between Week 10 of the 2014 season. Combined with an 0-1-1 start to 2018, the Browns went 5-51-1 in a span of 57 games.

Later that afternoon, the Buffalo Bills' win over the Miami Dolphins - coupled with the Cincinnati Bengals win over the Baltimore Ravens - gave the Bills a playoff berth, ending their 17-year playoff drought. As a result, the Browns now hold the longest active postseason drought of any NFL team going back to 2002. This is the second longest playoff drought in the four major American sports, ahead of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball who last made the playoffs in 2001.

2018 Pro Bowl

Despite the team's historically awful performance, LB Joe Schobert was named to the AFC team for the 2018 Pro Bowl.[49] This marked Schobert's first Pro Bowl Selection.

T Joe Thomas, who was injured during the season, was not selected for the Pro Bowl for the first and only time of his career, as he would retire after the season.

Aftermath and fan reaction

Fans at the imperfect season parade

A parade was held on January 6, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in honor of the Browns' imperfect season and general ineptitude. It was organized by fan Chris McNeil through the contributions of fellow Browns fans and pain reliever manufacturer Excedrin.[50] The parade's route went in the shape of a circle, signfiying the number zero.[51] Additionally, the parade organization raised over $17,000 of charitable donations which went to the Cleveland Food Bank.[52]

Standings

Division

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 406 308 W2
Baltimore Ravens 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 395 303 L1
Cincinnati Bengals 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 290 349 W2
Cleveland Browns 0 16 0 .000 0–6 0–12 234 410 L16

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .484 .466 W3
2[lower-alpha 1] Pittsburgh Steelers North 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 .453 .423 W2
3[lower-alpha 2] Jacksonville Jaguars South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 .434 .394 L2
4[lower-alpha 2] Kansas City Chiefs West 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .477 .481 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 3] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 .434 .396 W1
6[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .492 .396 W1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7[lower-alpha 3] Baltimore Ravens North 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .441 .299 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 .457 .347 W2
9 Cincinnati Bengals North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .465 .321 W2
10[lower-alpha 4] Oakland Raiders West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .512 .396 L4
11[lower-alpha 4] Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .543 .531 L3
12[lower-alpha 5] Denver Broncos West 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .492 .413 L2
13[lower-alpha 5] New York Jets East 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .520 .438 L4
14[lower-alpha 6] Indianapolis Colts South 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .480 .219 W1
15[lower-alpha 6] Houston Texans South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .516 .375 L6
16 Cleveland Browns North 0 16 0 .000 0–6 0–12 .520 – L16
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 7]
  1. 1 2 New England claimed the No. 1 seed over Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 Jacksonville claimed the No. 3 seed over Kansas City based on conference record.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Tennessee finished ahead of Buffalo, Baltimore and LA Chargers based on conference record, claiming the No. 5 seed.
    Buffalo and Baltimore finished ahead of LA Chargers based on conference record. Buffalo claimed the No. 6 seed over Baltimore based on strength of victory.
  4. 1 2 Oakland wins tie break over Miami based on head-to-head win percentage.
  5. 1 2 Denver wins tie break over NY Jets based on head-to-head win percentage.
  6. 1 2 Indianapolis wins tie break over Houston based on head-to-head win percentage
  7. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References

  1. ↑ Brown was the de facto general manager. His official title was "Executive Vice President, Football Operations."
  2. ↑ http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-name-John-Dorsey-General-Manager/afd38a04-201f-4f9f-bfb8-88f6aa9f320c
  3. ↑ Feldman, Jacob (October 23, 2017). "The Joe Thomas Injury: A Streak Snapped and a New Low in the Factory of Sadness". SI.com. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  4. ↑ Bergman, Jeremy (January 8, 2017). "Browns fire DC Ray Horton, hire Gregg Williams". NFL.com.
  5. ↑ "Michigan becomes first public institution to pay three assistants $1 million a year". ESPN. January 25, 2017.
  6. ↑ Pokorny, Chris (January 10, 2017). "Browns fire 5 more assistant coaches; who remains?". Dawgs By Nature.
  7. 1 2 http://pro32.ap.org/article/browns-add-5-defensive-assistants-hue-jacksons-staff
  8. ↑ http://pro32.ap.org/article/browns-hire-former-buffalo-assistant-david-lee-coach-qbs
  9. ↑ Cox, Lorin (September 12, 2017). "Bears sign LB Jonathan Anderson to active roster, add WR Mario Alford to practice squad". USA Today. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Raiders Claim George Atkinson III Via Waivers". Raiders.com. July 29, 2017.
  11. ↑ Edwards, Josh (March 20, 2017). "Report: CB Marcus Burley signs RFA tender with Browns". 247 Sports. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  12. ↑ Wells, Adam (January 23, 2017). ""JAMIE COLLINS, BROWNS AGREE TO NEW CONTRACT: LATEST DETAILS, COMMENTS"". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Browns and P Britton Colquitt agree on contract". ClevelandBrowns.com. February 28, 2017.
  14. ↑ Sessler, Marc (February 28, 2017). "Cleveland Browns place tender on Isaiah Crowell". NFL.com.
  15. ↑ "Browns sign DL Jamie Meder". ClevelandBrowns.com. March 28, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Tiger-Cats add two players to practice roster". Our Sports Central. October 19, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Report: Cowboys sign defensive tackle Stephen Paea". 247 Sports. March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Falcons reportedly sign former Browns RT Austin Pasztor". Dawgs By Nature. August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  19. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 9, 2017). "Bills agree to terms with five including S Hyde and K Hauschka". BuffaloBills.com.
  20. ↑ Thomas, Jeanna (March 10, 2017). "Terrelle Pryor signs with Washington after big year with Browns". SB Nation. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  21. ↑ McPherson, Chris (June 5, 2017). "Eagles Sign DT Gabe Wright". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  22. 1 2 3 "Browns release three players". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Browns release veteran TE Gary Barnidge". DawgsByNature.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Browns sign DBs Najee Murray, Donte Carey". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  25. ↑ Brown, Chris (April 21, 2017). "Bills awarded waiver claim for S Elston". buffalobills.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  26. ↑ Orr, Conor (March 10, 2017). "Cleveland Browns to release Robert Griffin III". NFL.com.
  27. 1 2 "Browns cut Joe Haden; corner to meet with Steelers". NFL.com. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  28. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (February 27, 2017). "Browns release WR Andrew Hawkins". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  29. ↑ "Browns release K Brett Maher III". clevelandbrowns.com. May 2, 2017.
  30. 1 2 "Browns release QB Josh McCown and DB Tramon Williams". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  31. ↑ Allen, Eric (March 20, 2017). "Jets Sign Veteran QB Josh McCown". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Browns agree to terms with WR Kenny Britt". ClevelandBrowns.com. March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Browns sign K Brett Maher". clevelandbrowns.com. March 20, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Browns claim OL Marcus Martin". clevelandbrowns.com. March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Browns sign OL Matt McCants". clevelandbrowns.com. March 27, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Browns signing Jason McCourty to two-year deal". nfl.com. May 16, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Browns claim DB Tyvis Powell". ClevelandBrowns.com. February 6, 2017.
  38. 1 2 Labbe, Dan (March 9, 2017). ""Browns get aggressive to strengthen middle of offensive line"". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  39. ↑ Cabot, Mary Kay (March 14, 2017). "Browns claim receiver James Wright via waivers from Bengals". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  40. ↑ Shefter, Adam (March 9, 2017). "Texans trade Brock Osweiler, 2018 second-round pick to Browns". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  41. ↑ Sessler, Marc (September 10, 2017). "Steelers extend Browns' losing streak on opening day". NFL.com. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  42. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (September 10, 2017). "VIDEO: Anthony Chickillo scores Steelers' first TD of 2017". 247 Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  43. ↑ Phillips, Gary (September 11, 2017). "Hue Jackson impressed with DeShone Kizer debut". Fanrag Sports Network. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  44. 1 2 Florjancic, Matthew (September 10, 2017). "RECAP: Cleveland Browns fall to Pittsburgh Steelers, 21–18, in regular-season opener". WKYC-TV. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  45. ↑ Burns, Gabriel (September 11, 2017). "Relive DeShone Kizer's first NFL touchdown". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  46. ↑ Ginley, Joe (September 10, 2017). "Steelers vs. Browns: 7 Talking Points". Dawgs By Nature. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  47. ↑ Ruiter, Daryl (September 10, 2017). "What To Like And Not Like From The Browns 21–18 Loss To Steelers". CBS Cleveland. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  48. ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000865047/article/joe-thomas-snaps-streak-ends-after-triceps-injury
  49. ↑ Grretham, Fred (16 January 2018). "Joe Schobert named to Pro Bowl". 247 Sports. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  50. ↑ http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/12/browns_perfect_season_parade_r.html
  51. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2018/01/06/576197794/browns-parade-a-perfect-season
  52. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-perfect-season-parade-raised-17000-cleveland-food-bank-173249859.html
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