CLEVELAND — The last time the Cleveland Browns went to the playoffs is something many fans aren’t likely to forget. Back in 2002, Cleveland won big against the Atlanta Falcons with the fate of the playoffs hanging in the balance.
Saturday at 12 p.m., News 5 will be replaying that classic game so fans can relive that playoff feeling and get revved up for the upcoming season.
On Dec. 29, 2002, the Browns did something they hadn’t done since before they were moved to Baltimore and returned as an expansion team,—they won their way into the playoffs after defeating the Falcons and getting a hand from the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.
After taking down the Falcons inside Cleveland Browns Stadium, sans quarterback Tim Couch, who broke his leg in the second quarter, the team celebrated—then held their breath as they waited on the results of the Patriots-Dolphins game and then the Jets-Packers games.
The Browns got a hint of relief when the Patriots defeated the Dolphins thanks to a field goal from Adam Vinatieri in overtime. Cleveland was able to breathe again, and celebrate thoroughly, when the Jets beat the Packers, officially making the Browns a Wild Card playoff team.
Tune into News 5 to see the biggest plays from Kelly Holcomb, William Green, Earl Holmes, Kevin Johnson, Dwayne Rudd and Phil Dawson and relive that unforgettable moment of victory during the airing of the Browns-Falcons classic game at 12 p.m.
