2020 Cleveland Browns season
Owner	Jimmy Haslam
General manager	Andrew Berry
Head coach	Kevin Stefanski (regular season) Mike Priefer (acting head coach during postseason due toCOVID-19 exposure)
Home stadium	FirstEnergy Stadium
Results
Record	11–5
Division place	3rdAFC North
Playoffs	WonWild Card Playoffs (atSteelers) 48–37 LostDivisional Playoffs (atChiefs) 17–22
All-Pros	4 RTJack Conklin(1st team) DEMyles Garrett(1st team) LGJoel Bitonio(2nd team) RGWyatt Teller(2nd team)
Pro Bowlers	3 RBNick Chubb GJoel Bitonio DEMyles Garrett
Uniform
← 2019 Browns seasons 2021 →

The2020 season was theCleveland Browns' 68th as a member of theNational Football League (NFL), their 72nd overall, and their first under general managerAndrew Berry and head coachKevin Stefanski. The Browns improved on their 6–10 record from2019 and finished 11–5, clinching their first winning season since2007 and their best since1994. They also ended their franchise-record and league-high 17-yearplayoff drought, making it to the playoffs for the first time since2002.^[1] This season began with the team's fourth head coach in six seasons.

In the Wild Card Round, the Browns defeated thePittsburgh Steelers, 48–37, marking their first (and, as of the2024 season, only) playoff win since the1994 season.^[2] The next week, the Browns were defeated by the eventual AFC championKansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round, 22–17, which ended the Browns' hopes of returning to the AFC Championship game for the first time since1989.

On December 31, 2019, the Browns and general managerJohn Dorsey mutually agreed to part ways.^[3] Dorsey had served as the Browns' GM since December 2017.

On January 27, 2020, the Browns hired formerPhiladelphia Eagles' vice president of football operationsAndrew Berry as general manager. Berry previously served as the Browns' vice president of player personnel from 2016 to 2018.^[4] At age 32, Berry became the youngest general manager in NFL history.^[5]

On January 29, the Browns and vice president of player personnelAlonzo Highsmith and assistant general managerEliot Wolf mutually agreed to part ways after the hiring of Berry. Both had served in their roles since the 2017 hiring of Dorsey.^[6]

On December 29, 2019, the Browns fired head coachFreddie Kitchens. In one season as Browns' head coach, Kitchens posted a 6–10 (.375) record.^[7]

On January 13, 2020, the Browns hired long-timeMinnesota Vikings assistantKevin Stefanski as head coach. Stefanski served as a Vikings' assistant coach from 2006 to 2019, which included his last two seasons there as their offensive coordinator. This marked Stefanski's first NFL head coaching job.^[8]

On January 29, the Browns hired formerCincinnati Bengals' quarterbacks coachAlex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator. Van Pelt, who served as offensive coordinator for theBuffalo Bills in2009, replacedTodd Monken, who was not retained by Stefanski.^[9]

On February 7, the Browns hired formerSan Francisco 49ers' defensive backs coachJoe Woods as defensive coordinator. Woods, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for theDenver Broncos from 2017 to 2018, replacedSteve Wilks, who was not retained by Stefanski.^[10]

Notes

• Cleveland acquired a third round pick (No. 90) fromHouston in exchange for RBDuke Johnson.^[26]
• Cleveland traded its fifth- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 155 and 188) toBuffalo in exchange for GWyatt Teller and a 2021 seventh-round selection.^[27]
• Cleveland acquired a sixth-round selection (No. 187) fromArizona in exchange for CBJamar Taylor.^[28]
• Cleveland acquired a seventh-round selection (No. 236) from Buffalo in exchange for WRCorey Coleman.^[29]
• Cleveland acquired a seventh-round selection (No. 244) and GJustin McCray fromGreen Bay in exchange for a seventh-round selection (No. 224)

The NFL and theNFLPA reached an agreement on July 24 to allow players to opt out of playing the 2020 season due to concerns related to theCOVID-19 pandemic. These players would not be paid for the season, but receive an advance of $150,000 to $350,000 from their 2021 salary. The following five players opted out of this season:^[32]

• DTAndrew Billings
• OTDrake Dorbeck
• GDrew Forbes
• GColby Gossett
• GMalcolm Pridgeon

On April 15, the Browns unveiled new uniforms to be used starting in the 2020 season. The jerseys are brown with white numbers, white with brown numbers. The two main jerseys feature the five-stripe sleeve pattern used prior to 2015. The pants are brown or white, each with an orange-brown-orange stripe pattern on the sides; or orange with a brown-white-brown stripe pattern. The "Cleveland" wordmark on the front of the jerseys and the "Browns" wordmark on the side of the pants were removed. The team also added an alternate uniform, a brown jersey and pants with orange numbers. This is similar to the former "Color Rush" uniform, but with the stripes removed on both the jersey and pants.^[33] The changes generally constituted a reversion to the uniforms which the Browns wore up until the 2014 season.^[34][35] The general reception to the uniforms was positive.^[34][35]

The Browns' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.^[36]

The Browns'2020 schedule was announced on May 7.^[36]

Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text.

The Browns traveled to Baltimore to start their season. The Ravens took advantage of two early Browns turnovers with a 5-yard touchdown pass fromLamar Jackson toMark Andrews and aJustin Tucker 41-yard field goal to take a 10–0 lead. The Browns cut the Ravens' lead to 10–6 late in the first quarter on aBaker Mayfield 1-yard touchdown pass toDavid Njoku, howeverAustin Seibert would miss the extra point. The Ravens dominated the rest of the game, scoring 28 unanswered points on two additional Jackson touchdown passes to Andrews andWillie Snead, as well as two touchdown runs by rookieJ. K. Dobbins, to win 38–6.

With the loss, the Browns started their season 0–1. They failed to win in Week 1 for the 16th consecutive season.

After the game, the Browns released Seibert after he missed an extra point and field goal attempt. The Browns signedCody Parkey from their practice squad to replace Seibert.^[37]

The Browns opened the home portion of their schedule with aThursday night game against theirin-state rival, theCincinnati Bengals. The Bengals received the opening kickoff and put together a 15-play drive, culminating in aRandy Bullock field goal to take a 3–0 lead. The Browns responded with a 10-play drive of their own, but were able to find the end zone on aNick Chubb 11-yard run to take a 7–3 lead. The teams exchanged scores in the second quarter: The Browns scored a touchdown on a 43-yard pass fromBaker Mayfield toOdell Beckham Jr., the Bengals responded with aJoe Burrow 23-yard touchdown pass toC. J. Uzomah, the Browns struck back with a Mayfield touchdown pass toKareem Hunt, and the Bengals added another Bullock field goal, giving the Browns a 21–13 lead going into halftime.

The Browns struck first in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Chubb. This was set upMyles Garrett forcing a Burrow fumble, which was recovered byJoe Jackson at the Bengals' 1 yard-line. Bullock kicked another field goal to make it 28–16 after three-quarters. The Bengals closed the Browns' lead to 28–23 midway through the fourth quarter on a Burrow 9-yard touchdown pass toTyler Boyd set up by a Mayfield interception. However, the Browns regained a two-score lead on a Hunt 1-yard touchdown run set up by long runs from Hunt and Chubb. The Bengals added a touchdown in the final minute but could not recover anonside kick attempt, allowing the Browns to run out the clock in a 35–30 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 1–1.

The Browns hostedWashington in Week 3. Washington took an early 7–0 lead on aDwayne Haskins touchdown pass toDontrelle Inman. In the second quarter, the Browns took advantage of two Haskins interceptions while scoring 17 points in the quarter: aCody Parkey 42-yard field goal and a pair of touchdowns on aNick Chubb 16-yard run and aBaker Mayfield 9-yard pass toKareem Hunt to take a 17–7 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Washington scored two touchdowns on anAntonio Gibson 2-yard run and a Haskins 11-yard pass to Inman to re-take the lead at 20–17. However, the Browns took a 24–20 lead on a Mayfield 3-yard touchdown pass toHarrison Bryant and built their lead to 31–20 on a Chub 20-yard touchdown run that was set up by another Haskins interception. Parkey added a late field goal to make the final score 34–20.

With the win, the Browns improved to 2–1. This win ended the longest active losing-record streak in the league; Week 4 was the first game since Week 15 of the2014 season, a span of 90 games, in which the Browns entered with a record above .500.^[38]

The Browns traveled to Dallas to take on theCowboys in Week 4. The Browns opened the scoring on a trick play as WRJarvis Landry threw a 37-yard touchdown pass toOdell Beckham Jr. to take a 7–0 lead. The Cowboys then scored two touchdowns later in the quarter onDak Prescott passes toCeeDee Lamb andAmari Cooper to tie the game and then take a 14–7 lead after the first quarter. The Browns took control of the game by scoring 34 straight points in the second and third quarters. In the second quarter,Baker Mayfield completed touchdown passes to Beckham andAustin Hooper,Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown run, andCody Parkey added a field goal to give the Browns a 31–14 lead at halftime. The Browns scored on another Hunt run on their opening drive of the third quarter and added another Parkey field goal to build their lead to 41–14 after three-quarters.

However, the Cowboys mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter. They scored three touchdowns on aTony Pollard run and Prescott passes toDalton Schultz and Lamb – converting the two-point conversion each time – to cut the Browns' lead to 41–38 with 3:42 to go. However, the Browns recovered the Cowboys' on-side kick attempt and scored on the next play on a 50-yard run by Beckham. The extra point attempt was blocked, but a Cowboys playermuffed the ball and the Browns tight endStephen Carlson recovered it in the end zone for a two-point conversion, giving the Browns a 49–38 lead. On the ensuing possession,Denzel Ward intercepted a Prescott pass to seal the 49–38 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 3–1. This marked the team's best 4-game start to a season since2001. Defensive endMyles Garrett was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks and a forced fumble.^[39]

The Browns returned home to host theIndianapolis Colts in a battle of 3–1 records. The Browns opened the scoring on aCody Parkey 24-yard field goal on their opening drive to take a 3–0 lead. However, the Colts responded on their first drive with aJonathan Taylor 4-yard touchdown to take a 7–3 lead. In the second quarter, the Browns took a 10–7 lead on aBaker Mayfield 2-yard touchdown pass toKareem Hunt, but the Colts tied it at 10–10 asRodrigo Blankenship hit a 32-yard field goal. The Browns would add a 15-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield toRashard Higgins and a Parkey 34-yard field goal to take a 20–10 lead at halftime.

The Browns extended their lead to 27–10 asRonnie Harrison intercepted aPhilip Rivers pass and returned it for a touchdown. However,Isaiah Rodgers returned the ensuing kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown to cut the Browns' lead to 27–17. Blankenship would add another field goal on a drive set up by a Mayfield interception to cut the Browns' lead to 27–20. Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns recorded a safety on a Rivers intentional grounding penalty in the end zone to build their lead to two possessions, at 29–20. The teams traded late field goals to give the Browns a 32–23 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 4–1. This marked the team's best 5–game start to a season since1994. This was also their first 4-game winning streak since2009.

The Browns traveled to Pittsburgh to take on theirdivision rival, thePittsburgh Steelers, hoping to end a 16-game losing streak to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, having last won there in2003. However, Pittsburgh dominated the game from the beginning, opening the scoring with aChris Boswell 35-yard field goal and aMinkah Fitzpatrick interception return for a touchdown on the Browns' third offensive play to take an early 10–0 lead. Pittsburgh added two more touchdowns in the second quarter on aJames Conner run and aBen Roethlisberger pass toJames Washington to extend their lead to 24–0. Cleveland got on the board late in the quarter on aBaker Mayfield pass toRashard Higgins to make it 24–7 at halftime. The Steelers continued their domination into the second half, adding a pair of touchdowns on a Roethlisberger pass toChase Claypool and aBenny Snell run to make the final score 38–7.

Mayfield left the game late in the third quarter after aggravating a minor rib injury he suffered in the Browns' previous game. BackupCase Keenum served as the Browns' quarterback for the remainder of the game. The Browns' run offense, which came into the game averaging a league-leading 188 yards per game, was held to 75 yards.

With their 17th consecutive loss in Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 4–2.

The Browns traveled to Cincinnati to take on theBengals, hoping to bounce back from the tough loss at Pittsburgh. After both teams had interceptions on their opening drives, Cincinnati opened the scoring withJoe Burrow 1-yard touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead. The teams then traded field goals before Cleveland scored on aBaker Mayfield 3-yard touchdown pass toHarrison Bryant. making the score 10–10. Cincinnati took a 17–10 lead into halftime on a Burrow 11-yard touchdown pass toTyler Boyd.

The second half saw the teams go back-and-forth. Cleveland tied the score at 17 with a Mayfield 6-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. Cincinnati took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter on aRandy Bullock 23-yard field goal. The fourth quarter featured an NFL record five go-ahead touchdown passes.^[40] Cleveland took a 24–20 lead on a Mayfield 16-yard pass toDavid Njoku. Cincinnati went up 27–24 with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Burrow toTee Higgins. Cleveland responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield toKareem Hunt, taking a 31–27 lead. Cincinnati took the lead back, 34–31 with 1:06 remaining on a Burrow 3-yard touchdown pass toGiovani Bernard. The Browns drove down the field in the final minute and Mayfield connected withDonovan Peoples-Jones for a 24-yard touchdown, giving the Browns a 37–34 lead after missing the extra point attempt. An unsuccessfulHail Mary pass attempt by Burrow ended the game, with the Browns hanging on to a 37–34 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 5–2. Mayfield was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 297-yard, 5 touchdown performance.^[41] He also set a franchise record with 21 consecutive completed passes.^[42]

The following day, the Browns announced that WROdell Beckham Jr., who left the game with a knee injury in the first quarter, suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

On October 29, DEMyles Garrett was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Garrett recorded two forced fumbles and led the NFL with six sacks during the month.^[43]

The Browns returned home to take on theLas Vegas Raiders on a very windy afternoon. After a scoreless first quarter, Cleveland opened the scoring with aCody Parkey 41-yard field goal to take a 3–0 lead. However, Las Vegas kickerDaniel Carlson connected on field goals from 29 and 33 yards to take a 6–3 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Cleveland tied the game 6–6 on a Parkey 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Las Vegas scored the game's lone touchdown on aDerek Carr 4-yard pass toHunter Renfrow to take a 13–6 lead. They extended their lead to 16–6 on a Carlson 24-yard field goal. Cleveland had a chance to close the Las Vegas lead to one possession with just under two minutes remaining, but Parkey missed a field goal attempt.

With the loss, the Browns went into their bye week at 5–3.

The Browns returned from their bye week to host theHouston Texans. The game was delayed moments before kickoff due to severe weather including high winds, severe rain, and hail.^[44] The game started after a 36-minute delay. The Browns took the opening drive of the game 12 plays and scored on aCody Parkey 41-yard field goal take an early 3–0 lead. This was the only score until the fourth quarter as high winds made it very difficult for either offense to establish any consistency. Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns extended their lead to 10–0 on a 9-yard touchdown run byNick Chubb in his first game since suffering a knee injury in Week 4. Houston responded with aDeshaun Watson 16-yard touchdown pass toPharaoh Brown to close the Browns' lead to 10–7. However, the Browns were able to run out the clock as Chubb andKareem Hunt rushed for four first downs to seal the 10–7 win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 6–3. In the game, Chubb and Hunt became the first pair of Browns teammates to each rush for 100 yards in the same game sinceErnie Green andLeroy Kelly in1966.^[45] This win markedBaker Mayfield's 12th win as starting quarterback atFirstEnergy Stadium, setting a record for the most wins at the venue. The previous record of 11 wins was held byBen Roethlisberger.^[46] Offensive tackleJedrick Wills was named NFL Rookie of the Week.

The Browns stayed home to take on thePhiladelphia Eagles. The game started slowly as neither team scored in the first quarter despite each team missing an opportunity within the opponent's 5-yard line; Philadelphia's drive ended on aMiles Sanders fumble, while Cleveland was stopped on fourth down at the goal line. Cleveland opened the scoring in the second quarter on aSione Takitaki 50-yard interception return to take a 7–0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Philadelphia tied the game on aCarson Wentz 19-yard touchdown pass toRichard Rodgers. Cleveland took a 10–7 lead on their next drive with aCody Parkey 46-yard field goal and extended it to 12–7 on a safety by linebackerOlivier Vernon. In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia made it 12–10 on aJake Elliott 43-yard field goal. Cleveland extended their lead to 22–10 with aKareem Hunt 5-yard touchdown run and a Parkey 28-yard field goal. Philadelphia made it 22–17 on a Wentz 4-yard touchdown pass toDallas Goedert in the final minute, but could not recover their onside kick attempt, allowing Cleveland to run out the clock.

With the win, the Browns improved to 7–3, marking their best ten-game start since1994.^[47] Vernon was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording three sacks and a safety.^[48]

The Browns traveled to Jacksonville to take on theJaguars. Jacksonville opened the scoring in the first quarter with anAldrick Rosas field goal to take a 3–0 lead. Cleveland took a 7–3 lead on aBaker Mayfield touchdown pass toJarvis Landry, Mayfield's first touchdown pass since Week 7. After both teams kicked short field goals in the second quarter, Jacksonville took a 13–10 lead on a 46-yard touchdown pass fromMike Glennon toCollin Johnson. Cleveland answered and took a 17–13 lead on a Mayfield touchdown pass toAustin Hooper. In the third quarter, Jacksonville recovered aHarrison Bryant fumble and scored a touchdown six plays later on a Glennon 2-yard pass toTyler Eifert to take a 19–17 lead following a missed 2-point conversion attempt. Cleveland responded with aCody Parkey 46-yard field goal and aNick Chubb 1-yard touchdown run to take a 27–19 lead. Jacksonville closed the Browns' lead to 27–25 with just over two minutes to go on aJames Robinson 4-yard touchdown run, but failed to make a game-tying 2-point conversion. The Browns were able to run out the clock to preserve the win.

With the win, the Browns improved to 8–3 and clinched their first non-losing season since2007.^[49] In the game, Browns' chief of staffCallie Brownson became the first woman to serve as a position coach in NFL history. She filled in as the tight ends coach in place ofDrew Petzing, as he did not travel with the team in order to attend the birth of his child.^[50]

The Browns stayed on the road in Week 13 as they traveled to Nashville to take on theTennessee Titans. The Browns scored first with aCody Parkey 27-yard field goal and followed it up with aBaker Mayfield 2-yard touchdown pass toJarvis Landry to take a 10–0 lead after the first quarter. The Browns extended their lead to 17–0 on a Mayfield 1-yard touchdown pass toKendall Lamm. Tennessee got on the board with aRyan Tannehill 17-yard touchdown pass toCorey Davis to make it 17–7, but Cleveland struck back to make it 24–7 on the first play of their next drive with a Mayfield 75-yard touchdown pass toDonovan Peoples-Jones. Cleveland scored two more touchdowns on a Mayfield pass toRashard Higgins and aNick Chubb run to take a 38–7 lead into halftime.

Tennessee would mount a comeback in the second half. In the first six minutes of the third quarter, Tennessee scored two touchdowns on a Tannehill pass toMyCole Pruitt and an offensive fumble recovery advanced by Pruitt to reduce Cleveland's lead to 38–21. Another Parkey field goal made it 41–21 going into the fourth quarter. The Titans closed the score to 41–28 with 1:23 remaining on aJeremy McNichols 1-yard touchdown run. After a Mayfield fumble, Tennessee scored another touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Tannehill toCameron Batson to cut the Browns' lead to 41–35 with 0:28 remaining. However, the Browns recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

With the win, the Browns improved to 9–3 and clinched their first winning season since2007.^[51][52] In the game, Mayfield became the first Browns quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in the first half sinceOtto Graham in1951. The Browns' 38 points in the first half also set a franchise record.^[53] Mayfield was named FedEx Air Player of the Week.^[54]

The Browns returned home for round two of theirrivalry game with theBaltimore Ravens onMonday Night Football, hoping to avenge their Week 1 blowout loss. Each team scored a touchdown in the first quarter, Cleveland on aNick Chubb run and Baltimore on aLamar Jackson run to make the score 7–7. The teams exchanged rushing touchdowns again in the second quarter byGus Edwards for Baltimore and Chubb for Cleveland to make it 14–14. Jackson added a 17-yard touchdown run to give Baltimore a 21–14 halftime lead. Baltimore built their lead to 28–14 on an Edwards 19-yard run, But Cleveland came to within 28–20 on aKareem Hunt 5-yard run. Baltimore extended their lead to 34–20 onJ. K. Dobbins' run following a Mayfield interception that was returned to the Browns' 1-yard line.

The Browns were able to take a 35–34 lead in the fourth quarter on aBaker Mayfield touchdown pass toRashard Higgins and a Mayfield touchdown run. Meanwhile, Jackson left the game for Baltimore due to an injury and backupTrace McSorley came in and struggled against the Browns' defense. After the two-minute warning, Jackson returned to the game and threw a 44-yard touchdown pass toMarquise Brown to take a 42–35 lead after a successful 2-point conversion. Mayfield led the Browns to a touchdown drive culminating in a touchdown pass toKareem Hunt with just over a minute left. However, Baltimore kickerJustin Tucker kicked a game-winning 55-yard field goal with 0:02 remaining to go up 45–42. Baltimore added a safety on a failedhook-and-ladder play by Cleveland to make the final score 47–42.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 9–4. The Browns and Ravens combined for nine rushing touchdowns in the game, tying an NFL record.^[55]

The Browns traveled to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to take on theNew York Giants in a key Week 15 contest onSunday Night Football. After both teams had promising drives that ended on a turnover on downs in the opponent's territory, the Giants struck first with aGraham Gano 37-yard field goal. Cleveland responded with two-second quarter touchdowns onBaker Mayfield passes toAustin Hooper andJarvis Landry to take a 13–3 lead as Browns kickerCody Parkey missed one of the extra point attempts. The Browns extended their lead to 20–3 on aNick Chubb touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The Giants added another Gano field goal to make it 20–6 but could not get any closer.

With the win, the Browns improved to 10–4.

The Browns returned to East Rutherford to take on theNew York Jets. The day prior to the game, much of the Browns' receiving corps, namelyRashard Higgins,KhaDarel Hodge,Jarvis Landry, andDonovan Peoples-Jones, was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, forcing Cleveland to play three receivers with very little experience on the team.^[56] The Browns were forced to rely mainly on their running backs and tight ends in the passing game.^[57]

Cleveland took an early 3–0 lead on aCody Parkey 44-yard field goal. However, New York scored a pair of touchdowns on aJamison Crowder pass toBraxton Berrios and aSam Darnold pass toChris Herndon to take a 13–3 lead into halftime. New York extended its lead to 20–3 on a 30-yard pass from Darnold to Crowder. Cleveland added a pair of touchdowns to come within 20–16 on runs byNick Chubb andKareem Hunt. After New York added aSam Ficken 34-yard field goal to extend their lead to 23–16 with just under 3:00 remaining, the Browns drove to the New York 16-yard line before turning the ball over on downs, effectively ending the game.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 10–5. They finished 5–3 in away games. The Browns' loss also allowed thePittsburgh Steelers to clinch the AFC North title. This is the Browns' 28th consecutive season without a division title, the longest active streak in the NFL.

The Browns hosted therivalPittsburgh Steelers in the regular season finale. Cleveland would clinch aplayoff berth with a win. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh had already clinched theAFC North division and would rest several starters including quarterbackBen Roethlisberger.

The Browns scored the only points in the first quarter on aNick Chubb 47-yard touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead.Cody Parkey chipped in a 23-yard field goal to make it 10–0.Matthew Wright then kicked field goals of 29 and 46 yards, to close the Browns' lead to 10–6 at halftime. Wright added another 46-yard field goal early in the third quarter to make it 10–9. The Browns added to their lead on a pair of touchdowns, aBaker Mayfield 2-yard pass toAustin Hooper and aJarvis Landry 3-yard run, to extend their lead to 24–9 early in the fourth quarter. However the Steelers mounted a comeback as backup quarterbackMason Rudolph connected on touchdown passes toChase Claypool andJuJu Smith-Schuster to make it 24–22 with 1:22 remaining. However the Steelers could not convert the game-tying two-point conversion nor recover an onside kick. The Browns were able to run out the clock for the win.

With the win, the Browns finished the season 11–5, their best record since1994. The Browns clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since2002, ending the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.^[1][58] The Browns finished the season 6–2 at home.

On January 5,head coachKevin Stefanski, along with tight ends coachDrew Petzing, defensive backs coachJeff Howard, offensive line coachBill Callahan, assistant offensive line coachScott Peters, offensive linemanJoel Bitonio, cornerbacksDenzel Ward andKevin Johnson, and wide receiverKhaDarel Hodge, tested positive forCOVID-19, removing them from coaching and playing in this game. Special Teams CoordinatorMike Priefer served as acting Head Coach.^[59][60]

The Browns got off to a very strong start. On the first play from scrimmage, the Browns'Karl Joseph recovered a Steelers fumble on an errant snap byMaurkice Pouncey in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Browns an early 7–0 lead. The Browns built their lead to 28–0 by the end of the first quarter on a 40-yard pass fromBaker Mayfield toJarvis Landry and twoKareem Hunt touchdown runs of 11 and 8 yards after a Steelers punt and twoBen Roethlisberger interceptions. The Browns' 28 first quarter points tied an NFL playoff record.^[61] The Steelers got on the board in the second quarter on aJames Conner 1-yard touchdown run, but the Browns would respond with a Mayfield 7-yard pass toAustin Hooper to make it 35–7. AChris Boswell field goal at the end of the half made it 35–10.

The Steelers got back into the game with a dominant third quarter. The team had two scoring drives, capped off by Ben Roethlisberger touchdown passes toEric Ebron andJuJu Smith-Schuster, to make it 35–23. However, the Browns added a touchdown on a Mayfield 40-yard screen pass toNick Chubb to extend their lead to 42–23. Pittsburgh responded with a Roethlisberger 29-yard touchdown pass toChase Claypool on its next drive, taking just over a minute off the clock, to make it 42–29.Cody Parkey then added two field goals for the Browns, the second one following Rothlisberger's fourth interception of the game, to extend their lead back to three possessions at 48–29. A late touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Claypool made the final score 48–37.

With the win, the Browns advanced to the Divisional Round. The Browns recorded their first playoff win since1994 and their first away playoff win since1969, ending a streak of eight consecutive losses in away playoff games. This win also ended a 17-game losing streak in Pittsburgh that dated back to2004.^[62]Jim Donovan, who called the game for theCleveland Browns Radio Network, referred to the win as "one of the greatest victories in Cleveland Browns history".^[63]

The Browns traveled to Kansas City for a Divisional Round matchup with the #1 seed and defending Super Bowl ChampionKansas City Chiefs. Kansas City opened the scoring on their opening drive, asPatrick Mahomes completed 4 of 4 passes for 41 yards, including a 26-yard completion to Tyreek Hill, as the team scored on his 1-yard touchdown run to take a 6–0 lead. Cleveland responded with a 12-play, 47-yard scoring drive, featuring a 27-yard pass fromBaker Mayfield toDavid Njoku. However, the Browns were forced to settle for aCody Parkey 46-yard field goal to make the score 6–3. The Chiefs added a touchdown on a Mahomes 20-yard pass toTravis Kelce to build their lead to 13–3, then 16–3 on aHarrison Butker 50-yard field goal.Cleveland responded with drive deep into Kansas City territory, howeverRashard Higgins fumbled the ball out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback for Kansas City. As he dived for the goal line, Kansas City safety Daniel Sorensen hit him from the left side, knocking the ball loose. Butker kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive, giving the Chiefs a 19–3 halftime lead.

The Browns cut the Chiefs' lead to 19–10 in the third quarter on a Mayfield 4-yard touchdown pass toJarvis Landry that was set up by twoNick Chubb runs for 23 and 18 yards earlier in the drive. On the next Chiefs' drive, Mahomes was knocked out of the game with a concussion and backup quarterbackChad Henne came on in relief. The Chiefs kicked a field goal on that drive to extend their lead to 22–10. Cleveland responded with an 18-play, 75-yard drive culminating in aKareem Hunt touchdown run in his first game against his former team, to make it 22–17. The Chiefs then drove into Browns' territory but Henne threw an interception to safetyKarl Joseph in the end zone. Cleveland was forced to punt on its next drive, and Kansas City was able to run out the clock thanks to a 13-yard run by Henne on 3rd and 14, followed by a game-clinching 5-yard pass from Henne toTyreek Hill.

With the loss, the Browns' season ended. They failed to advance to the AFC Championship game, which would have been their first since the1989 season.

The following Browns were awarded for their performances during the season:

On December 21, it was announced that GJoel Bitonio, RBNick Chubb, and DEMyles Garrett were named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, with Bitonio and Garrett named as starters. This marks the third Pro Bowl selection for Bitonio and the second for Chubb and Garrett.^[64]

On January 8, it was announced that OTJack Conklin and DEMyles Garrett were named to theAssociated PressAll-Pro first team. GJoel Bitonio and GWyatt Teller were named to the All-Pro second team. This marks Bitonio's third All-Pro selection, Garrett and Conklin's second, and the first for Teller.^[65]

Head coachKevin Stefanski was named theAP Coach of the Year.^[66]

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