The Cleveland Browns head to Pittsburgh on Sunday looking to break a decades-long losing streak.
The Browns have not won a regular-season game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh since 2003 – a span of 23 seasons!
Sadly, this is not the first extensive losing streak for the Browns in the Steel City, as older fans will remember the infamous “Three Rivers Jinx.”
Beginning with the opening of that concrete dump in 1970, the Browns made the annual trip 16 times, and 16 times they came home on the losing
end.
Sometimes it looked like the Browns would break the jinx as they suffered four-point losses in 1974 and 1977; three-point losses in 1979, 1980, and 1984; and a one-point loss in 1985.
The franchise tried everything to change its luck, from taking a bus instead of flying and switching hotels, but nothing could break the jinx.
Until the afternoon of October 5, 1986.
The most memorable play of the day came when Gerald McNeil returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, Cleveland’s first touchdown return in 12 seasons. After the Steelers retook the lead in the third quarter, the Browns moved to within one point heading into the fourth quarter after a field goal from Matt Bahr.
The deficit grew to four points after a Gary Anderson field goal, but Cleveland retook the least on Earnest Byner’s four-yard touchdown run. Pittsburgh had one final chance after Bahr’s second missed field goal of the day, but Cleveland’s defense held and the jinx was finally over.
Cleveland’s next chance to break its latest streak comes this Sunday in a season that has been full of surprises.
Maybe this is the week the Browns finally break through and take care of business in Pittsburgh.
Let’s get the day rolling with the latest edition of the Daily Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature
Browns WR up for a league honor after big game in Week 7 (Thomas Moore): KC Concepcion among four players nominated for Rookie of the Week.
Is the Browns’ offense truly turning the corner? Reacts Survey (Chris Pokorny): The win column says yes. But what do the people say?
Browns make 3 roster moves; have an open spot available along with a Kalia Davis update (Jared Mueller): Browns make a series of moves, including putting Kalia Davis on season-ending injured reserve.
Former Browns QB Seneca Wallace checks in with DBN: Cleveland, cold weather, and so much more (Barry Shuck): Seneca Wallace is the latest former player to sit down with our own Barry Shuck.
Browns defense still needs to figure out allowing an opening touchdown (Chris Pokorny): How did Cleveland’s defense grade out in Sunday’s win?
Browns offense sees huge day from first-round picks, with top two PFF players (Chris Pokorny): How did Cleveland’s offense grade out in Sunday’s win?
The Feed
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Cleveland Browns
Browns’ 4th-quarter magic is turning into belief heading to Pittsburgh (Beacon Journal): The Browns are showing a resiliency not seen since the 2020 playoff season.
How Dylan Sampson’s return helped unlock the Browns’ best rushing performance of the season (cleveland.com): The Tennessee Titans might not agree, but it was nice to see Dylan Sampson back on the field on Sunday.
Browns sign DE Nadame Tucker to the practice squad (clevelandbrowns.com): Cleveland adds some MACtion to the practice squad.
Mike McCarthy hypes up Cleveland ahead of Steelers-Browns matchup (Behind The Steel Curtain): The rivalry between Pittsburgh and Cleveland is one of the best in the country and transcends football, seeping into the fabric of our everyday lives. Growing up in Greenfield during the height of the 1970s Steelers, head coach Mike McCarthy grew up, like most of us from Pittsburgh, thinking the worst of Cleveland. That all changed when McCarthy actually paid a visit.
NFL
Colts trade DT DeForest Buckner to 49ers in another major move (ESPN): The fire sale is on in Indianapolis as the Colts trade DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson.
Is Michael Penix Jr. doing enough to secure Falcons future? ‘He’s a franchise quarterback’ (The Athletic): Has head coach Kevin Stefanski finally found his franchise quarterback?
Ravens rookie guard Vega Ioane to miss time with MCL sprain (Baltimore Beat Down): More injury news coming out of Baltimore.
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