EDITOR’S NOTE: Back in the day, there was a term called “a Kodak moment, which meant that there was a scene so great it just had to be captured on camera, and the top brand at the time was Kodak. In lieu of former Brown’s quarterback Bernie Kosar’s recent disclosure that he is facing several challenging health issues, we have come up with some Kosar moments to tell the story of his iconic 8 1/2-year career with the Browns from 1985 until midway through the 1993 season. This is Part 7 — the final part — of that series. There are seven parts because a touchdown and conversion kick are worth seven points, and Bernie Kosar accounted for a lot of touchdowns during his time in Cleveland.

By STEVE KING

When the Browns’ great run through the last half of the 1980s began in 1985, Bernie Kosar’s rookie season, the team’s passing offense was less than stellar.

Actually, it was terrible. The scheme wasn’t right, the coaching was suspect, Kosar had no pro experience and he did not have enough weapons.

By the time the five-year run ended in 1989, the passing attack was scintillating, one of the best in the NFL. The coaching was good, the scheme was outstanding, the weapons were plentiful and Kosar had a lot of big-game experience.

It seems fitting, then, that the last victory during this playoff run epitomized just how well Kosar and the Browns threw the football.

It came in an wildly exciting 34–30 victory over the Buffalo Bills on January 6, 1990 at Cleveland Stadium in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. It was a football game that turned into a track meet, one that lasted nearly four hours and wasn’t over until linebacker Clay Matthews intercepted a Jim Kelly pass at the Cleveland 1 with just seconds left to stop the Bills’ last drive.

It was full of big plays from both teams and quarterbacks. Kosar .completed 20 of 29 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, including two to wide receiver Webster Slaughter covering 52 and 44 yards. In all, seven Browns had receptions. Cleveland also got a touchdown on a 90-yard kickoff return by Eric Metcalf.

Kelly threw for 405 yards and four scores, including a 72-yarder to wide receiver Andre Reed to start the day’s scoring and a 33-yarder to wide receiver James Lofton.

By the time the game was over and everyone had a chance to catch their breath, the struggles of the Browns pass offense in that 1985 playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins was long forgotten. Browns fans instead will always remember what Bernie Kosar did in this game against Buffalo, when he was at his best in a city and region where he felt very loved, wanted and needed, which he was indeed.

Steve King