There are any number of stories about how playing in Cleveland Stadium has helped the Browns win games against opponents who were not suited for the elements.

Whether it be the wind, the snow, the cold and/or the slippery conditions of the field, it has played into the Browns‘ favor in a plethora of wins.

But there’s one time when it did not do so, and it cost the Browns dearly. That has bothered me for for nearly 4 1/2 decades now.

I am long been convinced, and I always will be, that if the Browns had played the then Oakland Raiders in a dome in the 1980 AFC Divisional Playoffs, then they would’ve won. That was the game they lost 14–12 in brutally cold conditions at home when quarterback Brian Sipe’s pass for tight and Ozzie Newsome was intercepted in the end zone in the final seconds by virtual unknown Mike Davis, thwarting a frantic Cleveland drive to try to score the winning touchdown or kick the winning field goal.

Sipe, who had the greatest season by a quarterback in Browns history in 1980 by throwing for 4,132 yards and 30 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions to become the last Brown to win the NFL MVP award, was as miserable that day as the weather by hitting on just 13 of 40 passes, a miniscule 32.5 percent, for 183 yards and no touchdowns with three interceptions, giving him a passer rating of but 17.0.

It was one of the worst games of his career, if not the worst. And the timing of it was awful. With all of their late comebacks for victories, the Kardiac Kids seem destined to get to their first Super Bowl. But it just didn’t happen.

I just think it would’ve happened in the nice warm, dry conditions you would find in a dome, just like the present-day Browns may end building down the road.

Steve King