Browns clinch first playoff berth since 2002

The Baker Mayfield-led Browns took down the Steelers by the score of 24-22. Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

NFL world reacts to the Browns clinching first playoff berth since 2002

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 1/3/21

The last time the long-downtrodden Cleveland Browns earned a trip to the NFL playoffs was all the way back in 2002. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was a mere seven years old. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was not even old enough to consume adult beverages legally in the United States. Let that sink in for a second.

It didn’t come without COVID-related issues threatening to derail one of the most impressive Cleveland Browns seasons in 35 years. However, the Browns were able to take out a Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers team by the score of 24-22 on Sunday. This clinched a playoff spot for an organization that’s just three years removed from going 0-16.

It really has been something to behold. General manager Andrew Berry has helped build one of the most talented young teams in the NFL. After some major struggles as a sophomore last season, Cleveland Browns quarterback Mayfield has turned it around big-time.

The end result was an 11-5 regular-season record, which is the Browns’ best record since Bill Belichick was their head coach back in 1994. Naturally, the NFL world had much to say.

Guys
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 3, 2021

Browns clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002.

Last time the Browns won a playoff game was 1994, when Bill Belichick was Cleveland’s head coach and they beat the Patriots 20-13 in the Wild Card round.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2021

THE DROUGHT IS OVER.

BROWNS WIN. pic.twitter.com/7ln2U8DwOA
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 3, 2021

How are we feeling, #Browns fans? @bakermayfield #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/5KBBA0EiyV
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2021

Playoff bound!! @Browns
— Denzel Ward (@denzelward) January 3, 2021

PLAYOFF BOUND!
Here we go @Browns
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 3, 2021

No one deserved this moment more then Baker Mayfield. He came here to change the culture. He did it. #Browns pic.twitter.com/K404rQDdHU
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) January 3, 2021

#Browns Kevin Stefanski on making the playoffs pic.twitter.com/lNRXkD4Adf
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 3, 2021

You don’t have to be a Cleveland Browns fan to see this as the feel-good story of the 2020 NFL season. The city of Cleveland has gone through so much with this organization. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, it has been an incredibly exciting campaign for fans who have dealt with so much losing over the past quarter century.

What makes this even better is the fact that these Browns will take on the above-mentioned Steelers in Pittsburgh during the wild-card round. A one-sided rivalry renewed. The Cleveland Browns' last playoff game resulted in a 36-33 loss to these Steelers. Could they exact revenge some 19 years later?

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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