Every Week 1 Browns game since 1999: While We’re Waiting

Editor’s note: this article first ran prior to Week 1 of the 2016 season. It has since been updated to include that game’s outcome.

Week 1 of any NFL season is where an entire summer of intrigue, doubt, anticipation, and hope are all dashed or validated. You expect lackluster rosters in Week 17, but the first week should have your best on the field. Week 1 is about the guys who were identified as the best (barring injury), so the play on the field is usually the closest every team’s front office has to show off how smart they were over the past several months. Sure, the small sample size and matchup play leads to some ludicrous results and ridiculous overreactions, but those are part of the charm. Fans of the Cleveland Browns are among the best at creating a cacophony into the void after what is almost always another loss in an inexplicable way.

The Cleveland Browns will have started 16 different quarterbacks in their 20 seasons of play once Tyrod Taylor takes the first snap on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. No quarterback has started more than two such games during this expansion era, showing that a quarterback’s time of being The Man in Cleveland is especially short. In fact, Taylor’s clock is already ticking as most expect Mayfield to be taking snaps by Week 1 of 2019, which would make it 17 quarterbacks in 21 seasons.

Here is the list:

2019 Baker Mayfield??
2018 Tyrod Taylor
2017 DeShone Kizer
2016 Robert Griffin III
2015 Josh McCown
2014 Brian Hoyer
2013 Brandon Weeden
2012 Brandon Weeden
2011 Colt McCoy
2010 Jake Delhomme
2009 Brady Quinn
2008 Derek Anderson
2007 Charlie Frye (one half only before being traded away, but he was the guy who started)
2006 Charlie Frye
2005 Trent Dilfer
2004 Jeff Garcia
2003 Kelly Holcomb
2002 Kelly Holcomb
2001 Tim Couch
2000 Tim Couch
1999 Ty Detmer

The games can be just as nuts. Blowouts, gut-wrenching losses, inexplicable play, and even penalties on the margins of the NFL rulebook all make appearances in what has become perhaps the worst unofficial holiday of a Browns fan’s year. Here are the games.

September 12 1999, Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Cleveland Browns 0

When a team is hastily assembled to the point of starting Ty Detmer and Terry Kirby, a collosal failure is to be expected. Pairing the former rival Pittsburgh Steelers as the first opponent was just mean by the NFL, as it was quickly revealed how far away the Browns would be from competing. The Browns offense only held the ball for 12:11 minutes, but few — if any — fans could turn off one of the biggest mismatches in the modern era of professional football because football was back in Cleveland. Sure, it wasn’t wonderful, but it was football.

And, if anyone has forgotten just how bad the 1999 53-man roster was, then please remember Sedrick Shaw had the second most carries on offense and Leslie Shepherd led the team in receiving yards. The 2016 Browns may or may not be tanking, but they would beat up on that 1999 squad.

September 3 2000, Jacksonville Jaguars 27 Cleveland Browns 7

Sure, the Tim Couch era started shortly after Week 1 in the expansion year, but Couch’s first opening game performance came a year later. And, Couch to JuJuan Dawson will forever be the first points scored in Week 1 for the Browns in the expansion era. Sure, the Jaguars still dominated all aspects of the game, but it was still progress from the season earlier as there were moments to cheer. Couch had a 31 yard rush, Errict Rhett led the team in rushing yards, Dawson in receiving yards. And, the game was a manageable 10-7 deficit at halftime before old friend Keenan McCardell destroyed the secondary in the second half (finished with 115 yards receiving on nine catches).

September 9 2001, Seattle Seahawks 9 Cleveland Browns 6

The first lead the expansion Browns would hold in a Week 1 game was on a Phil Dawson 48 yard field goal in the second quarter because of course it had to be Phil Dawson. Jamel White and Kevin Johnson would lead the team in rushing and receiving with just north of 50 yards a piece. Big games. But, the defense held and the overall statistics were quite similar across the board. Percy Ellsworth even had a sack (when’s the last time you thought of THAT name!) as did hopeful super-rookie Gerard Warren. Combined with Jamir Miller having two sacks, and the defense looked like it could be really, really good.¹

Everything led to one of most dramatic endings in Week 1 expansion Browns history. Matt Hasselbeck throws incomplete to Koren Robinson, though it sure looked like Daylon McCutcheon came up with it. Well, this new-fangled replay system was used as Butch Davis threw the red flag on the field. Call overturned and Cleveland started with the ball on their own 34, down three with eight minutes left. Jamel White rushing and Tim Couch passing knifed down the field but stalled on the Seattle 5 when Rickey Dudley and Quincy Morgan couldn’t come up with touchdown catches. Another Dawson field goal tied the game at six.

Seahawks return the kickoff to near midfield. The first two passes fall incomplete, but wait! Penalty, interference on Anthony Henry. Eight yards and automatic first down. Seahawks struggle to get another first down as it took a Hasselbeck sneak on fourth-and-1 to do it with just eight seconds left. A 52 yard field goal by Ryan Lindell is up…and good. Seahawks win (squib kickoff sealed it).

September 8 2002, Kansas City Chiefs 40 Cleveland Browns 39

Enter Kelly Holcomb. In an eerily similar fashion to many games of the Kelly Holcomb era, the Browns would lead late only to see it magically dissipate until a deficit was formed. In this one, the Browns led 27-17 entering the fourth quarter, scored 12 points in that quarter, and lost the game. Daylon McCutcheon would have another clutch Week 1 interception, Quincy Morgan would have 151 yards and two touchdowns (including one caught from Kevin Johnson), but Priest Holmes gashing the Browns run defense for four touchdowns was enough to keep the game close. The Browns being the Browns was enough to lose it.

Up 30-24 with eight minutes left, Holcomb was sacked, fumbled, and the Chiefs recovered. Holmes ran 15 yards into the end zone on the next play for the Chiefs to go up 31-30. After trading touchdowns, the score would be 37-36 Kansas City before the real craziness would begin.

The Browns would nail a 41-yard field goal with 29 seconds left because Phil Dawson is the best. But, Chris Gardocki — the PUNTER — would be called for taunting, which setup a kickoff from the 15-yard line and gave the Chiefs the ball at their own 35. With two seconds left, the ball would be at the 47 and their offensive lineman would be attempting to advance the ball — he would carry it 28 yards — before being tackled and the game ending. Right? Right?! Nope. Dwayne Rudd took his helmet off a smidge too early for the referees liking, so an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty would be called. After advancing that ball 15 yards for the penalty, the Chiefs would get one untimed down. A perfect opportunity for Morten Anderson to drill a 30-yard, game-winning kick.

Quite possibly the craziest overall game in NFL history. You can also relive it here.

September 7 2003, Indianapolis Colts 9 Cleveland Browns 6

Kelly Holcomb would get another chance for a Week 1 victory and would come painstakingly close yet lose again. He would help the Browns win the time of possession battle for the first time in a Week 1 expansion era game. William Green would also aid in that statistic as he had a healthy 86 yards on the ground. Dennis Northcutt would be the receiving leader with 57 receiving yards of his own.

A sluggish offensive day for Peyton Manning and the Colts would be livened up a bit in the last two minutes and 38 seconds of the game. Manning led an 11-play drive that resulted in Mike Vanderjagt kicking a game-winning field goal from 45 yards out with just one second left. Yes, somehow the Browns lost three consecutive Week 1 games by opposing teams kicking field goals with three seconds or less on the clock. Fun times.

September 12 2004, Baltimore Ravens 3 Cleveland Browns 20

And now for something completely different: A Week 1 victory. Jeff Garcia can still tell people he was the quarterback to hold the expansion Cleveland Browns undefeated the longest as the Browns current Week 1 record is an astounding 1-17. But hey, that one win. Sure, the Browns lost all major categories, but the defense created three turnovers, which led to some easy points and the win. Green was back leading the rushers with another 65 yards, Andre Davis would make his name heard with 51 yards receiving, and THE Kenard Lang would have the game of his life with three sacks.

Old friend Kevin Johnson would leave Cleveland Browns Stadium in a familiar sad state following a Week 1 loss, but this time as a member of the visiting team. He did have five receptoins for 43 yards, but it was a Kyle Boller pass towards him intercepted by Anthony Henry that would seal up the victory.²

September 11 2005, Cincinnati Bengals 27 Cleveland Browns 13

Another division rival makes the list, and Trent Dilfer made sure they left with a victory. Dilfer had a decent day passing as he threw for 278 yards, but many of those yards were well after the final outcome had been decided. To demonstrate such, the leading receiver this game for the Browns was Frisman Jackson. Yeah. Reuben Droughns would churn out 78 yards on the ground as he was apt to do, and Chaun Thompson made a rare good play as he strip-sacked Carson Palmer to give some brief delusional hopes in the fourth quarter of a 27-10 game (Browns would get a field goal after messing around for 6-plus minutes).

September 10 2006, New Orleans Saints 19 Cleveland Browns 14

Charlie Frye took on Drew Brees, and the game was 16-14 in the fourth quarter! Too bad Frye also doubled as the leading rusher with 44 yards on the ground, though he did well to find Kellen Winslow for 63 yards during the game. Ultimately, the offense was just bad and couldn’t find a way to put real pressure on the Saints. That just about sums this one up despite the close score.

September 9 2007, Pittsburgh Steelers 34 Cleveland Browns 7

This game couldn’t possibly be worse or crazier than that 1999 game, right? Well, it might not have been worse on the field, but it did become infamous. Charlie Frye became the first Week 1 starter in NFL history to be benched at halftime for poor play and traded before the team’s Week 2 game.³ Yes, Derek Anderson would be great for a stretch during 2007, but not in Week 1. Jamal Lewis barely found room to breath to squeeze out 35 yards rushing and Winslow found another 83 yards receiving.

The game was lost early by Frye. The Steelers started three of their first four drives inside Cleveland territory. Go ahead, read that sentence again. The Steelers started three of their first four drives inside Cleveland territory. So yeah, the Steelers went up 17-0 and the Browns never threatened to make it a game.

September 7 2008, Dallas Cowboys 28 Cleveland Browns 10

Another dominating performance by a visitor to Cleveland Browns Stadium in Week 1. The Cowboys game will forever be remembered as the game Tony Romo was allowed to sit back in a clean pocket without any rush and just artfully pick apart the Browns secondary all game long. Finishing 200 yards behind in passing yards also sums the game up well. Jamal Lewis did manage 62 yards on the ground and Winslow again led all Browns receivers with 47 yards.

The Derek Anderson shine had fully dissipated and there was true wonder why the team did not complete the trade of Anderson to the Cowboys at the beginning of free agency. The thought at the time was that Dallas planned on flipping him over to Baltimore and the Browns front office didn’t want him landing with a rival. The Ravens selected Joe Flacco in the 2008 NFL Draft instead.

September 13 2009, Minnesota Vikings 34 Cleveland Browns 20

The Browns led at halftime, Josh Cribbs had a punt return touchdown, and Brady Quinn completely out-played Brett Favre. And sure, Lewis had his third straight leading rush Week 1 game with 57 yards rushing, while Captain Checkdown made sure Robert Royal was happy with 60 yards receiving.

But none of that matters for this game. This is the game Adrian Peterson looked sluggish in the first half, was said to get a saline injection at halftime, and came out a freaking monster in the second half. Yes, this is the game that Adrian Peterson completely trucked Eric Wright.

September 12 2010, Cleveland Browns 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17

If there was any thought that the Browns misfortunes in Week 1 games were due to playing at home, they were dashed with the first Week 1 road loss of the expansion era. Of course, it was also the first road game of that slate too. Still, a relatively even game in the statistics and on the scoreboard. Jake Delhomme had ushered in some hope to the Northcoast though Jerome Harrison led the rushers with 52 yards a few weeks before Hillis mania would begin. Evan Moore would lead the Browns in receiving with 87 yards and outdo his counterpart. Yes—Kellen Winslow was on the Buccaneers and wound up with 32 yards before he would eventually venture out in search for a Boston Market.

The Browns were up big early (well, for this game) before Mangenius ran Harrison three straight times from Cleveland’s own 7-yard line, which gave Tampa great field position. Of course, the Buccaneers would use it for the go-ahead score.

But it wouldn’t be a Week 1 Browns game without some craziness near the ending. The Browns desperation drive sputtered on their own 14-yard line where Tampa took over with a minute left and somehow gave the ball back without scoring and 34 seconds on the clock (great management there Tampa). Too bad a dump pass to Chansi Stuckey for nine yards would complete the game and stop this one from coming anywhere near the craziest endings in previous seasons.

September 11 2011, Cincinnati Bengals 27 Cleveland Browns 17

Hey, the Browns were leading going into fourth quarter again as Bruce Gradkowski had come in for an injured Andy Dalton. Peyton Hillis was still rumbling around for 57 yards, Mohamed Massaquoi had 77 yard receiving, and Colt McCoy led the charge.

Of course, the Bengals took the lead on a play where Joe Haden didn’t even line up, allowing A.J. Green to waltz into the end zone unopposed. The last ditch effort at finding a way back into the game would see McCoy throwing the ball on fourth down to Alex Mack. Perhaps he got the idea from the Chiefs game where Tait ran for 28 yards but offensive lineman are not allowed to catch forward passes. So, the Bengals would march in for the clinching score instead.

September 9 2012, Philadelphia Eagles 17 Cleveland Browns 16

It is difficult for most players to get caught under a gigantic American flag during the pregame festivities and have it turn out to be the most positive aspect of their day. Yes, this was the Weeden Flag game!

We had Weeden throwing four interceptions. Trent Richardson looking slow and hitting the wrong holes. Yet, somehow Greg Little made the worst play of the bunch when he did a volleyball set on a pass to him at the Eagles five yard line. Well, either that or the defense letting reformed gambling ring leader and dog-killer Michael Vick throw a bullet to someone called Clay Harbor to win the game in the closing minutes. You know, just before Weeden would throw another interception because that is just who he was.

September 8 2013, Miami Dolphins 23 Cleveland Browns 10

It will be tough for any quarterback to top the seven interceptions Weeden has in Week 1 Browns games. Doing it over the course of two games is especially impressive. Less was his fault in this one as Cameron Wake lived in the Browns backfield. Heck, he was getting there so fast, Trent Richardson put on a decent game running towards where Wake started a snap knowing he wouldn’t be there by the time Richardson arrived.

The defense did well for much of the game though limiting the Dolphins to less than a yard per carry rushing. The turnovers, which included two interceptions by old friend Dmitri Patterson, would be enough to setup Miami for the win.

September 7 2014, Pittsburgh Steelers 30 Cleveland Browns 27

Wow, what a close game. Must have been back-n-forth the whole time, right? Either that or the Browns trailed 27-3 at halftime of the first Mike Pettine-led game and more doom and gloom would be felt until a raging comeback that would ultimately fall short.

And yes, this was also the game where Spencer Lanning was kicked in the face by Antonio Brown and went on to delete his Twitter account.

https://gfycat.com/JampackedTameAnaconda

September 13 2015, Cleveland Browns 10 New York Jets 31

Only the second away game Week 1 is another Cleveland Browns game with an easily remembered moniker. Yes, this was the Josh McCown Helicoptor game as McCown leading the offensive charge down the field on the opening possession ended less than ideally. McCown was hurt, the Jets recovered the fumble, and the Pettine regime was on its way out of town.

September 11 2016, Cleveland Browns 10 Philadelphia Eagles 29

Prior to the game, Hue Jackson’s interview with Mike Silver, Paul DePodesta with Tony Grossi, and other articles written such as the one by Mary Kay Cabot about Carson Wentz not being thought of highly by the Browns front office became the storyline about Week 1 of 2016, especially when the rookie quarterback was paired with a horrific Browns defense.

Wentz ended his day 22-for-37 (59%) for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and a 101 QBrating. The game thrust Wentz into the national spotlight as he continued his success through Week 4 before his play deteriorated through the last 12 games of the season. That fall off was too late to save another round of Browns-being-Browns articles written about those ill-advised statements from the team about Wentz to start the 2016 season.

September 10 2017, Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Cleveland Browns 18

The only way for a proper 0-16 season to begin is by a three-and-out followed by a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by the opposition. As luck would have it, that is exactly how the 2017 Cleveland Browns season began. The rest of the game went a tad better though a poor pass by Ben Roethlisberger did wind up as a 50 yard completion to Antonio Brown when Joe Schobert hit a volleyball set to him on an inaccurate pass. The Steelers, of course, would score their second touchdown on that drive. DeShone Kizer made a decent rookie debut though by both rushing for a touchdown and throwing a fourth and goal touchdown to Corey Coleman in his professional debut. Unfortunately for him, those would be the only highlights as the Steelers were able to bleed out the final three minutes and change after a fantastic catch by Brown for a first down (also known as the exact opposite of what happened with an easy catch turned drop by Corey Coleman in the second match up), which would put a damper on those expecting the normal Week 1 theatrics.

On a more somber note that foreshadowed a perilous happening later in the season, the Steelers were flagged three times for illegal hits including one by Ryan Shazier for spearing Kizer well after he went into a slide.

September 9 2018, Pittsburgh Steelers ?? Cleveland Browns ??

What will the Browns do this year to make their mark on this list?

Give the Browns one thing, they sure know how to make the opening week entertaining.

1. Not quite but it was improving. [↩]
2. Only three plays after Johnson had recovered a fumble on that drive to keep the Ravens hopes alive! [↩]
3. I could not find any other such occurence. If you can, then please let me know. [↩]