The2022 season was theCleveland Browns' 70th in theNational Football League (NFL), their 74th overall, and their third under thehead coach/general manager tandem ofKevin Stefanski andAndrew Berry. The Browns failed to improve upon their 8–9 record from theprevious season as they finished 7–10. The Browns failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second straight season[1] The Browns introduced a new midfield logo, withBrownie the Elf; this is their first season with a new midfield logo since 2016.
On March 18, the Browns acquired quarterbackDeshaun Watson from theHouston Texansin exchange for six draft selections including three first-round picks. Former starting quarterbackBaker Mayfield was later dealt to theCarolina Panthers. Due to Watson's 11-game suspension levied as a result of several sexual assault accusations and lawsuits stemming from his time in Houston,[2] the Browns started backupJacoby Brissett for the games that Watson was forced to miss. The team posted a 4–7 record under Brissett before Watson made his debut in Week 13.
^abThe Browns traded first- and fourth-round selections (13th and 107th overall),2023 first- and third-round selections (12th and 73rd overall), and2024 first- and fourth-round selections (23rd and 123rd overall) to theHouston Texans in exchange for QBDeshaun Watson and a2024 sixth-round selection (203rd overall).[37]
^abcdThe Browns traded a second-round selection (44th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a third-round selection and two fourth-round selections (68th, 108th and 124th overall).[41]
^The Browns received a third-round selection and a2023 third-round selection as a result of theMinnesota Vikings hiring former Browns vice president of football operationsKwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager. This selection was awarded as part of 2020 Resolution JC-2A, which rewards teams for developing minority coaches and front office personnel.[42]
^The Browns traded2021 fourth- and seventh-round selections (113th and 257th overall) to theDetroit Lions in exchange for a fourth-round selection (107th overall) and a2021 fifth-round selection (153rd overall).[43]
^abThe Browns traded a fourth-round selection (118th overall) to theMinnesota Vikings in exchange for a fifth-round selection (156th overall) and a2023 fourth-round selection.
^abcThe Browns traded their fifth- and sixth-round selections (155th and 193rd overall) to theDallas Cowboys in exchange for WRAmari Cooper and a sixth-round selection (202nd overall).[35]
^abThe Browns traded their seventh-round selection (234th overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for QBDavid Blough and a seventh-round selection (223rd overall).[44]
CAR – Robbie Anderson – 5 receptions, 102 yards, TD
The Browns opened their season with a trip to Charlotte to play theCarolina Panthers, led by former Browns quarterbackBaker Mayfield. The Browns jumped out to a 20–7 lead, however Carolina scored two touchdowns and a field goal in the final frame to take a 24–23 lead with 1:13 remaining in the game. The Browns, led by backup quarterbackJacoby Brissett, drove to the Carolina 40-yard line, where rookie kickerCade York hit a 58–yard field goal to give the Browns a 26–24 win.
With the win, the Browns started the season 1–0, the first season opening win since2004, ending a 17-game winless streak in Week 1.[53] York was named AFC Special Teams Player of the week.[54] York connected on four field goals, including a 58–yard game-winner. This set the NFL record for the longest field goal by a rookie in his team's first game.[55]
The Browns opened the home portion of their schedule against theNew York Jets, looking for their first 2–0 start since1993. The Browns built a 30–17 lead with just under 2:00 remaining in the game on the strength of threeNick Chubb touchdown runs. However, New York scored two quick touchdowns with a successfulonside kick in between to take a surprising 31–30 win.
After a tough loss, the Browns stayed home to take on therivalPittsburgh Steelers on a very windyThursday night. Both teams scored two touchdowns in the first half, but a missed extra point byCade York gave the Steelers a 14–13 lead heading into halftime. The Browns took a 16–14 lead on a York field goal in the third quarter and extended it to 23–14 on aNick Chubb touchdown run, but aChris Boswell field goal cut the Browns' lead to six points with 1:48 remaining. Unable to run the clock out, the Browns punted the ball to the Pittsburgh 4-yard line with nine seconds remaining. However, an unsuccessful hook-and-latter play by was fumbled by Pittsburgh and recovered by Browns' CBDenzel Ward in the end zone to make the final score 29–17.
The Browns traveled to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. Atlanta opened a 10–0 lead in the first quarter on aYounghoe Koo field goal and aCordarrelle Patterson touchdown run. However Cleveland answered with aJacoby Brissett touchdown run and aCade York field goal to tie the game 10–10 at halftime. York added another field goal to give the Browns a 13–10. The two teams traded touchdowns, giving the Browns a 20–17 lead after three quarters. Koo booted a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter to give the Falcons a 23–20 win.
The Browns returned home to take on theLos Angeles Chargers after a tough loss in Atlanta. Cleveland took a 7–0 lead five plays into the game whenNick Chubb broke numerous tackles on a 41-yard touchdown run, and doubled their lead on aJacoby Brissett touchdown pass toAmari Cooper. However, Los Angeles scored the next 17 points on aTaylor Bertolet field goal and two touchdowns on aJoshua Kelley run and aJustin Herbert pass toAustin Ekeler. Cleveland retook the lead with Chubb's second touchdown run, making the score 21–17 at halftime
On the opening drive of the second half, Herbert and Williams connected for 21 yards to convert a 3rd and 12, leading to an Ekeler touchdown run as the Chargers retook the lead at 24–21. Soon afterwards, Cleveland went for it on 4th and 1 from their own 34, butKareem Hunt was tackled for a loss, setting up another Bertolet field goal. Hunt scored on Cleveland's next drive, putting Cleveland up 28–27 late in the 3rd quarter. Runs of 16 yards by Ekeler and 17 yards by Kelley then helped the Chargers drive inside Cleveland's 10, where they had to settle for their third short field goal of the game to take a 30–28 lead.
Late in the game, the Chargers went for 4th and 2 with 1:14 remaining. A conversion would have allowed Los Angeles torun out the clock. However, Herbert's pass was broken up and the Browns took over at the Los Angeles 45. Brissett managed a 10-yard completion, but could move the ball no closer, and York's 54-yard kick missed narrowly to the right with 11 seconds to play.
The Browns stayed home to take on theNew England Patriots. New England was led by rookie backup quarterbackBailey Zappe due to an injury to starterMac Jones. After the teams traded field goals in the first quarter, New England scored the game's first touchdown on aRhamondre Stevenson 31-yard run.Cade York added his second field goal of the game late in the second quarter, giving New England a 10–6 halftime lead.
New England broke away with two Zappe touchdown passes in the third quarter to build their lead to 24–6. Cleveland then closed New England's lead to 24–15 with a York field goal andJacoby Brissett touchdown pass toAmari Cooper with just over six minutes remaining. However, a failed onside kick and a Brissett interception led to two New England touchdowns, making the final score 38–15.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–4. During the game, DEMyles Garrett set the franchise record for most career sacks with 62.5, breaking the mark of 62 previously held byClay Matthews.
The Browns traveled to Baltimore for their first meeting with the divisionrivalBaltimore Ravens, looking to avoid a fourth straight loss. The Browns opened the scoring with aNick Chubb touchdown run. After the two teams swapped field goals, the Browns held a 10–3 lead after one quarter. However, Baltimore scored the next 17 points on aJustin Tucker field goal and a pair ofGus Edwards touchdown runs to build a 20–10 lead.
The teams again traded field goals andKareem Hunt added a touchdown run to close the Ravens' lead to 23–20 with nine minutes remaining. Just before the two-minute warning, York attempted a potential game-tying 60-yard field goal, but it was blocked. The Browns got the ball back with 16 seconds remaining, but a failedhook-and-ladder ended the game.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–5. This marked the Browns' first four-game losing streak since2019.
After a scoreles first quarter,Nick Chubb got the Browns on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run (and successful two-point conversion). ACade York 55-yard field goal closed out an otherwise quiet first half with the Browns holding an 11–0 lead. The Browns expanded their lead to 25–0 in the third quarter on aJacoby Brissett touchdown run and a Brissett touchdown pass toAmari Cooper. Cincinnati finally got on the board in the fourth quarter with a pair ofJoe Burrow touchdown passes sandwiching Chubb's second touchdown run, but the Browns were able to win comfortably, 32–13.
With the win, the Browns entered their bye week at 3–5. This marked the Browns' fifth straight win over the Bengals, their longest winning streak in the series since a seven-game winning streak from1992–1995.
The Browns returned from their bye week with an away game against theMiami Dolphins, marking the return of quarterbackJacoby Brissett to Miami, where he played for the Dolphins the previous season.
The Browns scored on their opening drive with a Brissett touchdown pass toHarrison Bryant to take a 7–0 lead. However, Miami would score the next 24 points of the game on a pair ofTua Tagovailoa touchdown passes, aRaheem Mostert touchdown run, and aJason Sanders field goal, taking a 24–7 lead early in the third quarter. The Browns moved the score to 30–17 on aCade York field goal and aNick Chubb 33-yard touchdown run sandwiching Tagovailoa's third touchdown pass of the day, however Miami put the game away in the fourth quarter with another field foal and aJeff Wilson touchdown run, making the final score 39–17.
Deshaun Watson made his first start for the Browns against his former team in the Texans, returning after completing his suspension. Despite a lackluster performance from Watson and the offense as a whole, the Browns still won handily 27–14 thanks to two defensive touchdowns and a punt return touchdown.[56]
Coming off a tough loss and playoff elimination, the Browns visited theWashington Commanders. Cleveland opened the scoring on aCade York 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Washington went on a 21-play, 96-yard drive culminating in aCarson Wentz touchdown run. The Browns took control in the third quarter asDeshaun Watson threw touchdown passes toAmari Cooper andDonovan Peoples-Jones to take a 17–7 lead. AJoey Slye field goal for Washington cut the lead to 17–10, but Cleveland responded with another touchdown pass from Watson to Cooper to extend their lead to 24–10, which would be the final score.
With the win, the Browns improved to 7–9. PunterCorey Bojorquez was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making four punts for 187 yards (46.8 avg.), including two punts downed within the Washington 5-yard line.[57]
The Browns finished the season with a trip to Pittsburgh, hoping to sweep theSteelers for the first time since1988. The Steelers entered the game with distant playoff hopes, but would need a win and multiple other teams in the playoff hunt to lose their games.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Browns struck first whenDeshaun Watson found David Njoku on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 7–0. However, Pittsburgh would score the next 20 points in the game on aKenny Pickett touchdown pass toGeorge Pickens, a pair ofChris Boswell field goals, and aNajee Harris touchdown run to take a 20–7 lead. The Browns closed the gap to one score at 20–14 on a Watson touchdown pass toNick Chubb, but could not come any closer. A late Pittsburgh touchdown made the final score 28–14.
With the loss, the Browns finished the season 7–10. This marked the Browns' 19th straight regular-season loss in Pittsburgh. The Browns finished 3–6 in away games.
^abLA Chargers claimed the No. 5 seed over Baltimore based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
^abMiami finished ahead of Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
^abcNY Jets and Tennessee finished ahead of Cleveland based on conference record (5–7 vs. 4–8).
^abNY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on common record (3–3 vs. 2–4 against: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay, Jacksonville).
^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.
