The Browns Finally Win!
By LUKE MONNICH ’21
On September 20th, the Cleveland Browns played against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. This game may have been anticipated to be like a bore since both of these teams have, in previous years, been at the bottom of the NFL. However, this was no normal football game . After having a losing streak since December, 2016, the Browns finally won, upsetting the Jet 21-17. Prior to their win in December, 2016, the Browns had not won since December, 2015. The Browns have had some of their worst seasons these past two years, going 1-15 in 2016 and 0-16 in 2017. The losing streak is over and Cleveland Browns fans finally see new hope in the team. This win could be the turning point that the team needed. Let's take a look at how the Browns managed to lose 19 games in a row.
In 2014, when the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel as their starting quarterback, things took a sharp turn. Since 2014, 14 different quarterbacks have stepped into the pocket for the Browns. While a quarterback usually plays for a team for about three to four years, the Browns’ quarterbacks kept on underperforming, forcing the Browns to find and draft replacements. However, the “curse” of the quarterbacks did not start in 2014; the Browns have started 20 quarterbacks since the 1999 season, the most in the league. Some recognizable names that underperformed are Robert Griffin III, Brian Hoyer, and Josh McCown. However, with rookie Baker Mayfield, 2017 Heisman winner and first draft pick, the Browns may be seeing a new franchise quarterback.
This win was not a fluke of nature; the first two games of the year for the Browns were extremely close. They tied the former playoff contenders, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and lost to the powerhouse of the New Orleans Saints’ offense by only three points. The Browns only lost these games because of missed field goals that would have helped them beat the Steelers and push the Saints into overtime. These last two games have been a rollercoaster ride for all NFL fans. Zane Gonzalez, the Browns’ kicker for these two games, missed two doable field goals against the Saints, losing out on points that easily could have put the game in his team’s favor. Everyone has been hoping to see the Browns win a game this year, and seeing victory torn from their hands two games in a row was excruciating. Thankfully, the Browns added new kicker Greg Joseph to their roster. There is hope that with this new addition to the team will miss fewer field goals than the Browns historically have.
The question now is “what’s next”? Because of the promise the Browns have shown this early into the season, their fans should definitely show hope for the team. In one half, Baker Mayfield displayed immense talent and capability to help the team. Cleveland has the youngest team average in the NFL by almost a year, meaning that their players are still improving and are better at recovering on a week to week basis. The Browns most likely will not make the playoffs this year, but if Mayfield continues improving, they could work their way to a playoff-contending run in just a few of years. With the Cleveland Cavaliers’ loss of Lebron James this summer, Cleveland sports fans now may have a new team to support in the upcoming years