In what seemed incomprehensible for decades, the Cleveland Browns have earned an AFC Wild-Card spot with a dramatic victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-22.
Say it again: The Cleveland Browns have earned an AFC Wild-Card spot.
The Browns survived a Steeler rally that saw Mason Rudolph, yep him, throw a TD pass to Juju Smith-Schuster to draw within two. A 2-point conversion failed when a Rudolph pass was incomplete.
TOUCHDOWN @Steelers! @TeamJuJu
Browns lead by 2 with 1:23 left in the 4th quarter.
📺: #PITvsCLE on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/EMdqIO97si pic.twitter.com/seOPsU9fOr— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2021
Pittsburgh’s 2-point conversion attempt is NO GOOD.#PITvsCLE
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 3, 2021
Baker Mayfield sealed the victory by rushing for a first down on the final drive.
BAKER! @browns @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/V2Wuh1X3zt
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2021
Playoff bound! Congrats @Browns!! Yessir!!!! Don’t be satisfied though! #Browns
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 3, 2021
The Browns have been absent from the postseason since 2002. They have not won a playoff game since 1994.
It wasn’t easy despite the Steelers resting many stars and missing other players due to COVID-19 issues.
The Steelers will be the No. 3 seed in the AFC because the Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins and clinched the second seed.
The Browns will be the No. 6 seed and that means they will play the Steelers in the Wild-Card game. That will be the third meeting of the AFC North Rivals.
In 2002, the Browns led the Steelers 33-21 in a Wild-Card game before allowing 15 points in the final 3:06. The first TD came on a pass from Tommy Maddox to Hines Ward.
And with less than a minute left, Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala’s 3-yard run finished the season for Cleveland.
The last win came against the New England Patriots following the 1994 regular season. The game was Jan. 1, 1995, and the Browns earned a 20-13 victory.
Their coach that day, in case anyone is curious: Bill Belichick.
