4. The Fumble – Browns Lose to Denver 38-33 in the AFC Title Game January 1987
A year after the series known as ‘The Drive,’ the Browns and Broncos had a Mile High rematch for the right to play the Redskins in the Super Bowl. The Browns wanted revenge for the letdown a season ago, and the Broncos wanted another shot at the big game as they had lost to the Giants after beating the Browns in Cleveland in January 1986 in the the AFC Title Game.
Denver dominated early, and built a 21-3 halftime lead thanks to some poor defense by the Browns. The second half though turned into the Earnest Byner show, as the Browns running back couldn’t be stopped, running over and through the Broncos to get the Browns back into the game from down 28-10 in the second half to tied at 31 early in the fourth quarter.
The Browns again though failed to stop John Elway and the Broncos, and trailed 38-31 as they marched down for the tying score with just 1:12 remaining. That’s when the heartbreaking play known as ‘the Fumble’ took place, as Byner, after wide out Webster Slaughter missed a block, was stripped by Broncos DB Jeremiah Castille at the one-yard line. The Broncos recovered, gave the Browns an intentional safety, and eventually won by 5.
It was a game that Byner still has tears over to this day, despite the forgiveness of Browns fans worldwide.
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