2. Browns 34, Bengals 3, Dec. 14, 1986 at Cincinnati
The Browns began the day a game ahead of the Bengals, but ended it as Central Division champions.
Bernie Kosar hit Reggie Langhorne in stride deep downfield for 66 yards to the Bengals 2 on the first play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Kevin Mack put the Browns ahead with a 1-yard touchdown run. Kosar’s 17-yard scoring pass to Webster Slaughter built Cleveland’s halftime lead to 17-3.
Mack again went a yard for a third-quarter touchdown. Slaughter was credited with a touchdown when he recovered a fumble by teammate and running back Curtis Dickey in the end zone for a 31-3 Browns advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Kosar completed 13 of 29 passes for 246 yards, with five receivers each totaling at least 32 yards. Slaughter finished with three catches for 75 yards. Mack ran for 93 yards on 23 carries.
The Browns defense came up with three turnovers as they throttled Cincinnati’s first-ranked NFL offense.
The win made the Browns 11-4. They finished 12-4 and then defeated the New York Jets 23-20 in the second overtime of a playoff game at Cleveland Stadium. Then, the Browns lost 23-20 to the Denver Broncos in overtime in the AFC championship game. Quarterback John Elway led the Broncos on a 98-yard touchdown drive that ended in the final minute of the fourth quarter and forced the overtime.
Cincinnati became 9-6 with the loss and finished 10-6.
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