A historic 40-point offensive performance could not save the 2021 Cleveland Browns from defeat
In short: The 2021 Cleveland Browns season was defined by statistical anomalies and missed expectations. Despite a promising 3–1 start, the team finished with an 8–9 record, failing to build on their previous year's success. From record-breaking defensive displays to historic losses, the season highlighted the volatility of professional football.
The 2021 campaign marked the 69th season for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL and the second under head coach Kevin Stefanski. The team began the year with a commemorative logo celebrating their 1946 founding. Early momentum was strong, highlighted by a Week 3 victory where the defense allowed a franchise-low 47 total yards and just one net passing yard. During that same game, Myles Garrett recorded 4.5 sacks, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
However, the season took a turn for the strange in Week 5. The Browns became the first team in league history to lose a game despite scoring at least 40 points and committing zero turnovers; previously, teams in that position held a 442–0 record. Injuries also plagued the roster, most notably to quarterback Baker Mayfield, whose 51-game starting streak ended in October. This streak was the second-longest in franchise history, trailing only Brian Sipe’s 70-game run from 1978 to 1982.
As the season progressed, the team faced significant disruptions, including a COVID-19 outbreak that forced the postponement of a December game and necessitated the use of a third-string quarterback. By the time the season concluded with an 8–9 record, the Browns had suffered six one-score losses—the most in the NFL. Despite the overall disappointment and a 29-year drought without a division title, individual excellence remained a bright spot. Five players, including Joel Bitonio, Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett, Wyatt Teller, and Denzel Ward, were selected for the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
The season ended with a home win against the Cincinnati Bengals, allowing the Browns to sweep their division rival for the second consecutive year, a feat not achieved since 1995. While the team finished 6–3 at home, their struggles on the road and inability to maintain consistency ultimately led to their elimination from playoff contention in early January.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2021 Cleveland Browns season
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