This time, the Cleveland Browns are on the right side of history. In Sunday night’s playoff wild-card game against the Steelers, Cleveland screamed for a 28-0 lead in the first quarter. Browns’ 28 points in the first quarter is the maximum of a team in NFL postseason history.
The scoring wave began when Karl Joseph caught Maurkice Pouncey’s high snap in the end zone on the first play of the game on scrimmage. Moments later, after MJ Stewart defeated Ben Roethlisberger, Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry connected in a 40-yard touchdown pass. A Pittsburgh punt was followed by Kareem Hunt’s 11-yard touchdown run. Roethlisberger’s choice for Sheldrick Redwine in Pittsburgh’s next ball possession set up Hunt’s eight-yard touchdown run.
The Browns are trying to win their first playoff game since 2002, when Cleveland – led by Bill Belichick – defeated Bill Parcells’ Patriots in the wild card round. Cleveland had a 24-7 lead over the Steelers in the 2002 wildcard round (the last time Cleveland was in the playoffs) before Tommy Maddox took Pittsburgh 36-33.
While a 28-point first quarter is impressive enough, making the Browns’ quick start even more impressive is the fact that Cleveland was forced to practice practically most of the week due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, candidate for Coach of the Year, is watching the game at home after a positive test for the virus. The Browns are also playing without starters Olivier Vernon, full-back Denzel Ward and striker Joel Bitonio.
The Browns may have set the postseason scoring record in the first quarter, but the 1987 Washington team still holds the record for most points scored in a single playoff game. Washington, behind Doug Williams’ four touchdown passes, scored 35 points in the second quarter of his 42-10 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.