In many ways, this 2023 Browns season is identical to the one 35 years ago, way back in 1988.
This year’s team is 9-5 with three games to play and is in good shape to earn a spot in the AFC playoffs as a wild card.
The 1988 Browns finished the regular season at 10-6 and made the postseason as a wild card.
This year’s team has been hit hard with injuries at the quarterback position.
That was also the case in 1988, with the Browns losing their starting quarterback to injury five different times.
The 2023 team has been saved by the outstanding play of 38-year-old Joe Flacco, a longtime, well-accomplished quarterback who was out of football and was, in effect, signed off his couch. He is the best quarterback story by far — it isn’t even close — in the NFL this year.
The 1988 club’s season was saved by 38-year-old Don Strock, a longtime backup for the Miami Dolphins who was coaxed out of retirement and signed off a golf course. He was the best quarterback story in the NFL in 1988 by far — it wasn’t even close.
Last Sunday (Dec. 17) at Cleveland, the Browns stayed ahead of the pack in the wild-card race with a 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears. The Browns fell behind 17-7 with 7:07 left in the third quarter, only to outscore the Bears 13-0 in the fourth quarter. Flacco started off slowly but then really got going, finishing 28-of-44 passing for 374 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a score, for a 77.3 rating. He also fumbled once.
In the regular-season finale on Dec. 18, 1988 at Cleveland, the Browns came from behind to defeat the Houston Oilers 28-23 and earn a wild-card playoff spot. They trailed 23-7 with 9:32 left in the third quarter and then scored 21 unanswered points, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Strock really struggled at the start but got it together big-time to lead the Browns to victory, finishing 25-of-42 passing for 326 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. He fumbled twice and had a 70.1 rating.
The similarities go on and on. Indeed, both 2023 and 1988 were incredible — in fact, the two most incredible seasons in Browns history. Not the best seasons, mind you, but the most incredible — surprising, stunning, memorable — because so much was achieved in 1988 — has been achieved thus far this year, and counting — despite all the injuries.
So, then, why do I say that 2023 — this season, the one we all are watching in disbelief — is more incredible than was 1988? Why do I say that 2023 is THE most incredible Browns season ever?
That’s easy, because while the 1988 Browns suffered injury after injury at quarterback, they were pretty healthy everywhere else — that is, as healthy as a team can be playing 16 games.
On the other hand, this year’s team is besieged with injuries not just at quarterback, but also everywhere else on the roster, from the offensive line, especially tackle, to the secondary and everywhere in between.
Therein lies the difference, and it’s a big difference.
To be sure, this 2023 season is so unbelievably incredible. You ‘re seeing something special, that you’ll never forget.
So, enjoy every last moment — every last bit — of it.
Steve King
