1987 Cleveland Browns season | |
---|---|
Owner | Art Modell |
General manager | Ernie Accorsi |
Head coach | Marty Schottenheimer |
Home field | Cleveland Municipal Stadium |
Local radio | WWWE · WDOK |
Results | |
Record | 10–5 |
Division place | 1st AFC Central |
Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Colts) 38–21 Lost AFC Championship (at Broncos) 33–38 |
Pro Bowlers | T Cody Risien QB Bernie Kosar FB Kevin Mack NT Bob Golic OLB Clay Matthews, Jr. CB Frank Minnifield CB Hanford Dixon RS Gerald McNeil |
The 1987 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 38th season in the National Football League.
Led by another 3,000-yard season from Bernie Kosar, the Browns captured their third-straight AFC Central crown. In the divisional playoffs, against the Indianapolis Colts at Municipal Stadium, the Browns routed the Colts 38–21 to advance to their second-straight AFC Championship game. For the second year in a row, the Browns were matched up against the Denver Broncos for a trip to Super Bowl XXII. The Browns fell behind early at Mile High Stadium, as the Broncos roared out to a big halftime lead. However, the Browns scored 30 points in the second half, and drove down the field in the late fourth quarter with a chance to score a game-tying touchdown. With 1:12 left in the game, RB Earnest Byner was stripped of the ball at the 2-yard line by Broncos' defensive back Jeremiah Castille in a play since dubbed The Fumble. Denver ran down the clock and took an intentional safety with 8 seconds left, and the Browns fell 38–33. Denver returned to the Super Bowl for a second straight year at the expense of the Browns.