Browns set NFL postseason report for first quarter factors scored in wild-card sport vs. Steelers

This time, the Cleveland Browns are on the correct facet of historical past. In Sunday night time’s wild-card playoff sport in opposition to the Steelers, Cleveland screamed out to a 28-0 first quarter lead. The Browns’ 28 first quarter factors is essentially the most by a staff in NFL postseason historical past. The Browns parlayed their quick begin right into a 48-37 victory. 

The scoring spree began when Karl Joseph scooped up Maurkice Pouncey’s excessive snap ultimately zone on the sport’s first play from scrimmage. Moments later, after M.J. Stewart picked off Ben Roethlisberger, Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry linked on a 40-yard landing go. A Pittsburgh punt was adopted by Kareem Hunt’s 11-yard landing run. Sheldrick Redwine’s choose of Roethlisberger on Pittsburgh’s subsequent possession arrange Hunt’s eight-yard landing run. 

The win was the Browns’ first within the postseason since 1994, when Cleveland — led by Invoice Belichick — defeated Invoice Parcells’ Patriots within the wild-card spherical. Cleveland had a 24-7 lead over the Steelers within the 2002 wild-card spherical (the final time Cleveland was within the playoffs) earlier than Tommy Maddox rallied Pittsburgh to a 36-33 win. 

Whereas a 28-point first quarter is staggering sufficient, making the Browns’ fast begin much more jaw-dropping is the truth that Cleveland was compelled to observe just about for many of the week as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, a Coach of the Yr candidate, is watching the sport at dwelling after testing constructive for the virus. The Browns are additionally taking part in with out starters Olivier Vernon, cornerback Denzel Ward and offensive lineman Joel Bitonio. 

The Browns could have set the primary quarter postseason scoring report, however Washington’s 1987 staff nonetheless holds the report for essentially the most factors scored in a single playoff sport. Washington, behind 4 Doug Williams landing passes, scored 35 factors within the second quarter of their 42-10 win over the Broncos in Tremendous Bowl XXII.