Heartbreaking Play-off Losses since 1980

January 4th, 1981, Divisional Play-off game vs. Oakland. "Red, Right 88" 1980 NFL MVP Brian Sipe is intercepted in the end-zone in the final seconds of a 14-12 game. Cleveland was driving for a last second FG attempt by Don Cockroft who had missed two previous Extra Points and FG attempts. Mike Davis intercepted the pass intended for Ozzie Newsome. The game is played in sub-zero wind chill temperatures. At the time of the game it was the coldest game in NFL history. Oakland would go on to become the first wild card qualifier to win the Super Bowl.

January 4th, 1986, AFC Divisional Game vs. Miami in the Orange Bowl. Browns blow 21-3 third quarter lead. Miami comes back to win 24-21, scoring the game winning TD with 1:57.

January 11, 1987, AFC Championship Game vs. Denver in Cleveland Memorial Stadium. "The Drive" John Elway drives Denver 98 yards in less than three minutes to tie the game and send it into over-time. Denver wins 23-20 in OT.

January 17, 1988 AFC Championship Game vs. Denver in Mile High Stadium. "The Fumble" Ernest Byner fumbles the ball at the Denver 2 yard line with just under a minute left in the game and Cleveland trailing 38-31. Cleveland had erased an early 24 point Denver lead. Denver would take a safety and win 38-33. Despite 207 all-purpose yards, and 2 TD’s Byner will always be portrayed as the goat. He is never forgiven and later traded for little known Mike Oliphant.

January 5th, 2003 AFC Wild Card Game vs. Pittsburgh in Heinz Stadium. Pittsburgh erases a 17 point 4th quarter deficit to win 36-33. Dennis Northcutt drops a wide open 3rd down pass that would have sealed the victory for the Browns late in the game. Kelly Holcomb’s 429 yard, 3 TD performance is wasted.