ClevelandMunicipalBrowns

'79 MNF vs Cowboys...A huge night in the CLE! Howard, Frank, and Dandy Don in town, against Landry, Staubach, and Co. Editorial comment: Cosell was so full of himself...thought it would be neat if Meredith would just deck him on-air. Giving him his due, you knew whatever he was covering was a big deal. This made the Browns 4-0, though they would finish a lackluster 9-7. Final: Cle 26 Dal 7

MNF 1980 vs. Bears.... Final: Cle 27 Chi 21

83 vs. Steelers: Final game of Brian Sipe's Browns career. Browns needed help to make the playoffs, but didn't get it. A loss to Houston in the prior game prevented a 'win and in' situation. An injured Bradshaw rested as Steelers had clinched. Fun times at 5:30 as Lambert was ejected for brutal hit on Sipe. Final: Cle 30 Pitt 17

'93 vs Steelers: aka "The Metcalf game". Pittsburgh had an astonishing statistical edge: 36:00-24:00 time of possession, 26-12 1st downs, 444-245 total yards, but 2 punt returns by Metcalf were the difference. Tom Hammond and Chris Collinsworth on the call (with the help of Nev and Diek).

'93 MNF vs. 49ers. A somewhat pixelated VCR version, so I gave it the 'ol 90's TV look. It was defense and special teams that made the difference, Bill Belichick's forte. Also, a beautiful catch by Michael Jackson/Dyson/Jackson (Al Michaels explains at 6:08)...Final Cle 23 SF 13

'87 vs Oilers. Jim Donovan at 31 (looks 21)...total domination by the Browns and a nice fan presence in Houston. Some wild numbers: Moon 5 of 23, 3 int. (all by Minniefield). Cle 457 yds Hou 247yds. Time of Possession: Cle 43 min Hou 17 min. Turnovers: Hou 6 Cle 0. Final: Cle 40 Hou 7.

'87 vs Bengals...Coach Sam on the color. The Browns scored 28 points in the second quarter, aided by the highlight of the game (3:10 mark of this video): A Clay Matthews pick with a lateral to the rumblin' bumblin' stumblin' Big Daddy Hairston. Bernie tossed 4 TD's and Mack ran for 133 yards. Final Cle 38 Cin 24 Final: Cle 38 Cin 24

'87 vs Steelers...This was a struggle until the Browns' D kept giving Bernie & Co. the ball in the 2nd half. Mark Malone was putrid (12/36 5 int). At the 1:30 mark, there is video proof of Kosar using his legs to make a play. Marv Albert and Joe Namath on the call. Final Cle 34 Pitt 10

'86 vs Steelers...A wild back and forth overtime affair that had TE Harry Holt practicing kicks on the sideline, as Matt Bahr went down for the season. At 7:37, Nev Chandler calls the OT game-winner to Slaughter. Final: Cle 37 Pitt 31

A frigid day (15 wind chill) with a warm ending

Game 16 for the Central title

1989 MNF vs Bears...Coming off his worst Browns performance (A 17-7 loss at Pitt where he was 15 of 41 with 4 INTs), Kosar rebounded with 2 TD passes in primetime. Led by Michael Dean Perry, the D forced Mike Ditka to bench Tomczak in favor of Jim Harbaugh. At the 2:00 mark of video, Frank and Dan talk about surveillance in the Pound. Final: Cle 27 Chi 7

Jan. '88 Playoff vs. Colts...The opening on-field intro is neat! Bernie threw 3 TDs, Byner ran for 122, and a key play by Eddie Johnson and Felix Wright stopped an Indy threat in the 3rd quarter. Final: Cle 38 Indy 21

'88 vs Oilers. Last game of regular season, a must win to make the playoffs. This Browns team dug deep, with Kosar, Mack, and Dixon out. They clawed their way back from a 23-7 deficit as Don Strock was superb in the 2nd half. Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy on the call. Final: Cle 28 Hou 23

'89 vs Oilers. A few days before Halloween and the Browns really 'tricked out' their offense in the 2nd half. Dick Enberg and Bill Walsh on the call...this one is fun! Final: Cle 28 Hou 17

'89 vs Broncos. If only for a day, Browns fans were able to exorcize the Elway demons in this intense battle. At about 4:08, there's a few minutes of comedy as Johnny becomes unglued by the crowd. Joel Myers and Paul Maguire on the call. Final: Cle 16 Den 13

Here are 4 years of Greg Pruitt's highlights narrated by John Facenda. Listed at 5'10", 190lbs., his ability to change direction made him a defender's nightmare, especially with his trademark tear-away jersey. This is 8+ minutes of goodness...enjoy!

'88 vs. Bengals...Halloween eve, Enberg & Olsen, totally electric atmosphere. If you can watch the 1st 2 plays of this (a stopped Cincy threat in the 2nd qtr.) without a few chills, let's check your pulse. This game was all about special teams and defense, capped by an on-field interview with Frank Minnifield. Final: Cle 23 Cin 16.

'94 Wildcard vs. Patriots...(Jan 1, 1995) The last 'old Browns' playoff win. Surreal to think that Belichick would eventually join the Patriots and win 6 Super Bowls, and then 26 years would pass before we would see a another playoff win. Tom Brady was 17 and a senior at a California high school, while 2 key Cleveland players in this game were former Buccaneers (Carrier & Testaverde). Final: Cle 20 NE 13

'80 vs. Packers. Dick Stockton and Paul Warfield open the telecast discussing the decision to play Sipe at QB despite his injuries. After the Pack went up 21-13 with 7:23 left, The Browns scored in just 2 plays. The miracle drive began with 1:53 left. Three observations: Calvin Hill still had it, even at his age. The Stadium was a cow pasture in the middle areas. Brian Sipe was one of the toughest bastards...EVER. Final Cle 26 GB 21

'86 playoff vs. Jets (Jan '87)...A marathon game that drove us all nuts. 3 missed FGs by Mark Moseley, Bernie looking more like Mike Phipps- instead of Otto Graham- for much of the game, stupid celebration while time ticked away, and Mark Gastineau's bird-brained late hit on a 2nd & 20 play that gave the Browns new life. Final... Cle 23 NYJ 20 (2 OT)

'89 Playoff vs. Bills (Jan.'90) From a broadcasting sense, this was a near perfect telecast. Charlie Jones and Merlin Olsen understood the value of their own silence, as they welcomed the atmosphere of Municipal Stadium into our homes. They simply let the game and crowd be the story, and it should be required viewing by all current announcers. Final: Cle 34 Buf 30

Good times in the muck and mire of Municipal Stadium