2017 Cleveland Browns

The 2017 Cleveland Browns season was the franchise's 69th season as a professional sports franchise, its 65th season as a member of the National Football League, its second under head coach Hue Jackson and the second and final season under GM Sashi Brown.

The Browns failed to improve upon their 1–15 record from the previous season, losing all sixteen games in 2017 and continuing a losing streak dating to the final game of the previous season. They became the second team in NFL history to go 0–16 after the 2008 Detroit Lions. The Browns became the twelfth NFL team to have gone winless playing eight games or more and the fourth since the merger in 1970.

In going 0–16, the Browns became the first franchise in NFL history to have multiple seasons with 15 or more losses and the first to start consecutive seasons with at least 14 losses. They were mathematically eliminated from the AFC North title contention early in Week 11, extending an active NFL record drought of 28 consecutive seasons without a division title. They were then eliminated from playoff contention in Week 12, extending their franchise record playoff drought to 15 consecutive seasons. The Browns finished 4th place in the AFC North for the seventh consecutive season in addition to finishing the season with a losing record for the tenth consecutive season dating back to 2008, extending a franchise record. It was the first season in which the team lost every home game since the 1999 season. They also extended their road losing streak to 21 games and their losing streak within the division to 17 games. A loss to the Chargers in Week 13 also made the Browns 1–27 in their first 28 games under Hue Jackson (making Jackson the worst percentage debut coach of all-time), surpassing the 1976–1977 Buccaneers for the worst 28 game start (2–26) for a regime in NFL history. The Browns would finish the 2017 season with a combined record of 1–31 over the previous two seasons, an NFL record for worst winning percentage over any two season span. Finally, since a promising 7–4 start heading into Week 13 of the 2014 season, the Browns have lost 49 out of the last 53 games.

On December 7, 2017, Brown was relieved of his duties as executive vice president. John Dorsey, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, was hired as general manager the same day. To further add to these failures, offensive tackle Joe Thomas missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, as he tore his left triceps on October 22, 2017, ending his season. Before his injury, Thomas had not missed a single snap since joining the league in 2007 – 10,363 plays. He then decided to retire on March 14, 2018 following the season.

Season Notes
- The Cleveland Browns became the second team since the 2008 Lions to finish a season winless since the creation of a 16-game schedule.

- They became the first franchise in the modern 16 game schedule to have a set of multiple season with 15 or more losses and the first to begin consecutive seasons with 14 losses.

- The Browns were eliminated from the AFC North title race in Week 11 which made them a franchise-record 27 straight seasons without winning the AFC North. The Browns loss to the Bengals and a Bills win over the Chiefs sealed the Browns elimination from playoff contention, extending their playoff drought to 15 seasons.

- The Browns finished with a losing record for the 10th consecutive year and last in the division for the 7th consecutive year. For the first time since 1999, the Browns are 0-8 in home games; also their road losing streak increased to 21 games, their losing streak within the AFC North increased to 17 games and their losing streak in road games against the Pittsburgh Steelers increased to 10 games.

-A 19-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers made the Browns 1-27 under HC Hue Jackson and GM Sashi Brown, which ecompasses the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-26) for the worst 28 game start for a HC and GM in a two-season stretch.

- The Browns finished the season 1-31 in the past 32 games (all of 2016 and 2017), their only win coming against the San Diego Chargers (now the Los Angeles Chargers). This is the worst two-season stretch for any NFL franchise since the creation of a 16-game schedule and the worst for any HC/GM in team or league history.

-With a 20-3 loss to the 4-10 Chicago Bears, the Browns became the first team since their 1999 and 2000 selves to go through back-to-back drafts with the first-overall pick.

- Coming into Week 13 of the 2014 season, following a promising 7-4 start, the Browns have lost 49 of the last 53 games. This futility includes 5 consecutive losses to end 2014 and all of 2015, 2016 and 2017.

- To make matters wore, a Buffalo Bills win over the Miami Dolphins- followed by a Cincinnati Bengals win over Baltimore- helped the Bills take a playoff berth, ending a streak of 19 seasons without a playoff berth for Buffalo. Because of that, the Cleveland Browns now hold the longest playoff drought of any NFL franchise (now at 15 seasons), as well as the second longest of any American professional sport, only behind the Seattle Mariners of the MLB.

Coaching changes
On January 7, the Browns fired defensive coordinator Ray Horton. A day later, they hired Gregg Williams as his replacement. Williams had previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

On January 9, associate head coach Pep Hamilton left the Browns to become assistant head coach at the University of Michigan. Hamilton was also the Browns' quarterbacks coach.

On January 10, the Browns fired five assistant coaches: offensive line coach Hal Hunter, inside linebackers coach Johnny Holland, outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik, defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi, and assistant defensive backs coach Cannon Matthews.

On January 13, the Browns hired DeWayne Walker as defensive backs coach. A day later, they hired Blake Williams as linebackers coach, Jerod Kruse as assistant defensive backs coach, and Bob Wylie as offensive line coach.

On January 17, the Browns fired defensive line coach Robert Nunn and hired Clyde Simmons as his replacement.

On February 8, the Browns hired former Buffalo Bills assistant David Lee as their quarterbacks coach.

Free agents
The following players, who played for the Browns in 2016, were eligible for free agency in 2017.

Signings
* Player was claimed off waivers

Player codes

 * IR= Injured Reserve
 * PUP= Physically Unable to Perform

Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns dropped their 13th consecutive season-opening game with a 21–18 loss to the Steelers.

The scoring began early in the first quarter when Pittsburgh's Tyler Matakevich blocked a Britton Colquitt punt, knocking the ball into the end zone where it was recovered by Anthony Chickillo for a touchdown. The Browns were able to tie the score by the end of the first quarter, however, as rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer orchestrated a 12-play drive that ended when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

The game stayed at 7–7 through most of the second quarter, until the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connected with tight end Jesse James on a 4-yard touchdown with 45 seconds left in the first half. The 7–play, 91-yard scoring drive was highlighted by a 50-yard reception by Antonio Brown on a tipped ball.

After a Zane Gonzalez field goal brought the Browns within 14–10 early in the third quarter, the Steelers drove down the field again. Roethlisberger threw a second touchdown pass to James to put them up by 11, 21–10. The drive was boosted by a 41-yard pass interference penalty on Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor on a deep pass intended for Brown.

The score remained 21–10 until under four minutes remained in the game, when Kizer was able to throw his first career touchdown pass to Corey Coleman. A two–point conversion run by Isaiah Crowell brought the Browns to within a field goal, 21–18.

The Browns did not get a chance to score again, however, as the Steelers were able to run out the clock after a long pass from Roethlisberger to Brown. Browns head coach Hue Jackson challenged the ruling; however, the catch call on the field was upheld.

The 13th–straight season–opening loss extended an NFL record for the Browns, who also fell to 1–18 in season openers since returning to the league in 1999. The team also lost their 12th straight game against a divisional opponent. The team started 0-1.

Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens
After losing at home, the Browns traveled to Baltimore for game 1 against the Ravens. The Ravens scored the only points of the first quarter when Terrence West ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. They would make it 14-0 in the second quarter when Javorius Allen caught a 9-yard pass from Joe Flacco. The Browns got on the board when Kevin Hogan found David Njoku on a 23-yard pass to make it 14-7. The Ravens then moved up by 2 touchdowns at halftime when Flacco found Jeremy Maclin on a 2-yard pass to make it 21-7. In the third quarter, the Browns drew closer when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 38-yard field goal to make it 21-10. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens sealed the game with a field goal of their own: Justin Tucker kicked it from 28 yards out to make the final score 24-10.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–2. Ravens QB, Joe Flacco, improved to 16–2 against the Browns for his career while the Browns lost their 14th straight road game and their 13th straight game against a divisional opponent.

Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts
The Browns were a Vegas road favorite for the first time since 2012 and an overall favorite for the first time since 2015. The Colts drew first blood in the first quarter when backup QB Jacoby Brissett ran for a 5-yard touchdown to make the score 7-0 for the quarter's only points. The Browns managed to tie it up in the second quarter when Duke Johnson Jr. ran for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 7-7. Though the Colts then responded with 3 straight touchdowns: Brissett ran for another one from 7 yards out followed up by a 61-yard passing touchdown from him to T.Y. Hilton. Lastly, the Frank Gore ran for a 4-yard touchdown for lead changes of 14-7, 21-7, and 28-7. The Browns managed to make the score 28-14 at halftime when DeShone Kizer found David Njoku on a 1-yard pass. After a scoreless third quarter, the Colts managed to increase their lead when Adam Vinatieri nailed a 33-yard field goal to make it 31-14. The Browns tried to rally with 2 more touchdowns: Kizer connected with Kenny Britt on an 11-yard pass to make it 31-21. This would be followed up by Kizer running in for a touchdown himself from a yard out to make it 31-28. The Browns failed to recover the onside kick and it sealed the win for the Colts. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–3. The team also lost their 15th straight road game.

Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns then returned for a game against their division rival Bengals in Game 1 of the Battle of Ohio. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bengals offense exploded in the second quarter with 3 touchdowns: Dalton threw all 3 when he found A.J. Green on a 7-yard pass, Tyler Kroft on a 3-yard pass, and Giovani Bernard on a 61-yard pass to make the score 7-0, 14-0, and 21-0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bengals increased their lead when Randy Bullock kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 24-0. This would be followed by Dalton's 4th touchdown pass of the game: Another one to Kroft from 16 yards out to make it 31-0. The Browns scored their only points of the game in the fourth quarter when Duke Johnson Jr. ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make the final score 31-7. The Browns lost their 14th straight divisional game as they fell to 0–4 and had sole possession of last place in the AFC North.

Week 5: vs. New York Jets
After a horrifying loss, the Browns stayed home for a game against the Jets. After a scoreless first quarter, the Jets managed to score the first half's only points when Chandler Catanzaro nailed a 57-yard field goal to make it 3-0 at halftime. The Browns managed to take the lead in the third quarter when Kevin Hogan found David Njoku on a 21-yard pass to make it 7-3. The Jets however retook the lead later on in the quarter when Josh McCown found Austin Seferian-Jenkins to make it 10-7. They would increase their lead in the fourth quarter when McCown found Jermaine Kearse on a 24-yard pass to make it 17-7. The Browns came up short when Hogan found Duke Johnson Jr. on a 41-yard pass to make the final score 17-14. The Browns missed 2 field goals, had 3 turnovers, and were 0/3 in the red zone. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–5, remaining in last place in the AFC North. They were the only team in the AFC without a victory through five weeks of the season.

Week 6: at Houston Texans
The Browns traveled for a duel against the Texans. The Texans scored first when Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a 40-yard field goal to make it 3-0. This would be followed up by the Browns tying the game up when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 41-yard field goal making the score 3-3. Afterwards, the Texans would score 30 unanswered points: Later on in the first quarter, DeShaun Watson found Will Fuller V on a 39-yard pass to make it 10-3. In the second quarter, Johnathan Joseph returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-3 followed up by Watson connecting with Braxton Miller on a 1-yard pass to make it 24-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, a penalty got enforced on Kevin Hogan in the end zone giving the Texans a safety and increasing their lead to 26-3. Watson then found DeAndre Hopkins on a 3-yard pass to make it 33-3. The Browns scored twice in the fourth quarter when Jason McCourty returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown to make it 33-10. Finally, Hogan for Seth DeValve on a 3-yard pass to make the final score 33-17.

The Texans routed the Browns, dropping them to 0–6 and handing them their 16th straight road loss.

Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans
The Browns then returned home for a game against the Titans. In a highly defensive battle of no touchdowns, the Titans scored first when Ryan Succop kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 3-0. The Browns tied it up when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 3-3. The Titans retook the lead with Succop's 23-yard field goal to make it 6-3 at halftime. The Browns then tied it up when Zane Gonzalez nailed 47-yard field goal to make it 6-6 for the only points in the third quarter. The Titans then moved ahead in the fourth quarter after Succop kicked another field goal from 46 yards out to make it 9-6. The Browns forced overtime when Gonzalez nailed a 54-yard field goal to make it 9-9. In overtime, the Titans scored the eventual game-winning field goal when Succop nailed it from 47 yards out to make the final score 12-9.

With the overtime loss, the Browns fell to 0–7. The loss led to Browns starting 0–7 for only the 4th time in franchise history (1975, 1999, and 2016). It was the first time in 23 games under Hue Jackson that the Browns failed to score a touchdown. This game was the first such occurrence since Week 17 of the 2015 season. During the third quarter, star left tackle Joe Thomas suffered an injury to his arm and was knocked out of the rest of the game, making this the first time since joining the Browns in 2007 that he had missed an offensive play. The day after the game, it was announced that Thomas had torn his triceps and would likely miss the rest of the season. It would also be his last ever NFL game, as Thomas announced his retirement on March 14, 2018.

Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings
NFL London Games

The Browns traveled to London but were considered home team against the Vikings. They scored first in the first quarter when Isaiah Crowell ran for a 26-yard touchdown (with a failed PAT) to make it 6-0. The Vikes got on the board when Kai Forbath kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 6-3. The Vikes took the lead when Case Keenum found Adam Thielen on an 18-yard pass (with a failed PAT) to make it 9-3. DeShone Kizer ran for a 1-yard touchdown to put the Browns back in the lead 13-9. Though, the Vikes soon followed when Forbath kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 13-12 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Vikes retook the lead after Forbath kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 15-13. Zane Gonzalez then put up a 23-yard field goal to make it 16-15 in favor of the Browns retaking the lead. Though it wouldn't last long when the Vikes retook the lead later on in the quarter when Jerick McKinnon ran for a 1-yard touchdown (with a successful 2-point conversion) to make it 23-16. In the fourth quarter, the Vikes sealed the game when Keenum found Kyle Rudolph on a 4-yard pass to make it 30-16. Then Forbath kicked a 51-yard field goal to make the final score 33-16.

With the loss, the Browns went into their bye week 0–8. It was the 3rd time in franchise history that the Browns failed to win a regular season game in the 1st half of a season (1975, 2016). Their 8th loss ensured that the team would fail to finish a season with a winning record for the 10th consecutive year, extending a franchise record.

Week 10: at Detroit Lions
Coming off of their bye week, the Browns traveled north to take on the Lions. The Browns scored first when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 23-yard field goal to make it 3-0. They would make it 10-0 when DeShone Kizer found Kenny Britt on a 19-yard touchdown. The Lions then scored 17 straight points going into the second quarter: Starting with Matt Prater nailing a 46-yard field goal followed up by Ameer Abdullah running for an 8-yard touchdown, and finally Nevin Lawson returning a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown to make the score 10-3, tie the game at 10-10 and then make it 17-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns managed to retake the lead when Isaiah Crowell ran for a 6-yard touchdown followed up by Kizer running for a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17 and then move up 24-17. The lead would be short-lived however as the Lions tied the game up with under a minute to go in the quarter when Matthew Stafford found Theo Reddick on an 8-yard pass to tie the game back up 24-24. In the fourth quarter, the Lions were able to seal the game with 2 more touchdowns: Stafford found Eric Ebron on a 29-yard pass to retake the lead 31-24 and then found Golden Tate on a 40-yard pass to make the final score 38-24.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–9, losing their 10th consecutive game, losing their 17th consecutive road game, and clinching a losing record for the 10th consecutive season, extending their franchise record drought. The 49ers' win over the Giants later that day left the Browns as the only winless team in the NFL through 10 weeks of the season.

On Thursday Night Football, the Steelers defeated the Titans to improve to 8–2, which mathematically eliminated the Browns from AFC North title contention, extending the Browns' drought without a division title to 25 consecutive seasons, the longest active drought in the NFL.

Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Browns returned home after a tough road loss to take on the Jaguars. The Jags would score first in the first quarter when Blake Bortles found Marcedes Lewis on a 10-yard pass to make it 7-0 for the quarter's only score. In the second quarter they made it 10-0 when Josh Lambo kicked a 38-yard field goal. The Browns got on the board when DeShone Kizer found Duke Johnson on a 27-yard pass to make it 10-7 at halftime. In the second half, it was all Jags after a scoreless third quarter as Lambo nailed a 39-yard field goal to make it 13-7 followed up by Telvin Smith recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 19-7. The Browns committed 5 turnovers, including 2 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles from Kizer, as they lost 19–7 to the Jaguars. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–10, losing their 11th consecutive game. It's only the second time in franchise history that the Browns started a season 0–10, with the first such occurrence happening in the previous season. The loss made the Browns 4–43 in their last 47 games, a record that started in Week 13 of the 2014 season, the worst 47 game stretch in NFL history.

Week 12: at Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns then traveled to take on the Bengals in Game 2 of the Battle of Ohio. In the first quarter, the Browns took an early 3-0 lead when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 27-yard field goal. Though, though the Bengals responded when Andy Dalton found Tyler Boyd on an 8-yard pass to make it 7-3. In the second quarter, the Bengals increased their lead with 3 field goals kicked by Randy Bullock: from 31, 49, and 21 yards out to make the score 10-3, 13-3, and 16-3. The Browns made it 16-6 before halftime when Gonzalez kicked a 21-yard field goal. The Bengals moved further ahead when Dalton found Tyler Kroft on a 1-yard pass to make it 23-6. The Browns came within 2 touchdowns when Gonzalez kicked his third field goal of the day from 39 yards out to make it 23-9 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, DeShone Kizer ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 23-16. Though later on, the Bengals sealed the game when Joe Mixon ran for an 11-yard touchdown.

The Browns' losing streak continued as they fell to the Bengals 30–16. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–11, losing their 12th consecutive game, their 18th consecutive road game, and their 15th consecutive divisional matchup, and combined with a Bills victory over the Chiefs, eliminated them from playoff contention. The loss ensured that the Browns would finish in 4th place in the AFC North for the 7th consecutive season.

Week 13: at Los Angeles Chargers
The Browns then traveled further west to take on the Chargers. In the first quarter, the Chargers would score 2 field goals to start out: Travis Coons kicked them both from 21 and 40 yards out to make the lead 3-0 to 6-0. The Browns took the lead however when DeShone Kizer found David Njoku on a 28-yard pass to make it 7-6. Though, the Chargers would move back into the lead when Coons kicked his third field goal of the day from 22 yards out to make it 9-7. This would remain the halftime score as neither team scored in the second quarter. In the third quarter however, the Chargers managed to increase their lead when Philip Rivers found Keenan Allen on a 7-yard pass to make it 16-7. This would be followed up by Coons kicking a fourth field goal from 27 yards out to put his team up 19-7. The Browns scored their only points in the half during the fourth quarter when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 35-yard field goal.

The losing streak continued as the Browns fell to the Chargers 19–10. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–12 and the losing streak was extended to 13 consecutive games while their road losing streak was extended to 19 consecutive games. The loss made the Browns 1–27 in the first 28 games under Jackson and Brown, overtaking the 1976–1977 Buccaneers (2–26) for the worst 28 game start under a HC and GM in NFL history.

On the following Thursday, Brown was relieved of his GM duties.

Week 14: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Browns returned home to take on the Packers and their backup QB Brett Hundley. In the first quarter, the Packers took an early lead when Hundley found Jamaal Adams on a 30-yard pass to make it 7-0. The Browns tied the game up later on in the quarter when DeShone Kizer found Josh Gordon on an 18-yard pass to make it 7-7. In the second quarter, the Browns moved into the lead when Kizer connected with Duke Johnson Jr. on a 7-yard pass to make it 14-7 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns moved ahead by 2 touchdowns when Kizer found Corey Coleman on a 2-yard pass to make it 21-7. In the fourth quarter however, the Packers managed to tie it up when Jamaal Williams ran for a 1-yard touchdown followed up by Hundley connecting with Davante Adams on a 1-yard pass to make it 21-14 then 21-21 to force overtime.

In overtime, Cleveland won the toss but Kizer threw an interception to Packers rookie safety Josh Jones. Adams later scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hundley to seal a 27-21 Green Bay win.

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 0-13 as they lost their 14th consecutive game. They became the first franchise in NFL history to start 0-13 in consecutive seasons.

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Browns then went home for their home finale of the season. The Ravens scored the first quarter's only points when Justin Tucker kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 3-0. In the second quarter, the Browns took the lead when Duke Johnson Jr. ran for a 12-yard touchdown to make it 7-3. Though, the Ravens moved back into the lead when Joe Flacco ran for a 2-yard touchdown followed up by Flacco finding Benjamin Watson on a 33-yard pass to make it 10-7 and then 17-7. Zane Gonzalez got the Browns within a touchdown when he kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 17-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Ravens scored the second half's only 10 points to eventually seal the game when Brandon Williams recovered a fumble for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 24-10. Tucker then hit a 43-yard field goal.

The Ravens routed the Browns 27-10, sending them to their 15th consecutive loss and their 16th consecutive loss within the division. The loss ensured that the Browns would finish the season without a home victory for the first time since the 1999 season. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0-14 and became the first franchise to start 0-14 in consecutive seasons.

Week 16: at Chicago Bears
The Browns then traveled to Chicago to take on the Bears. In the first quarter, the Bears scored first when Jordan Howard ran for a 2-yard touchdown (with a failed PAT) to make it 6-0. In the second quarter, the Browns scored when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 6-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, it was all Bears when Howard ran for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 13-3. This would be followed by Mitchell Trubisky's 4-yard run for a touchdown to make it 20-3. With the fourth quarter scoreless, this would be the final score of the game.

With the loss, the Browns dropped their 16th straight game and their 20th consecutive road game. They became the first team to start 0–15 since the 2008 Lions. They also became the first franchise in the NFL to ever have multiple seasons with 15 or more losses. The loss also secured the #1 overall draft pick for a second year in a row. They're the first team since the 1999 Browns and 2000 Browns to have the #1 overall pick in back-to-back drafts.

Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers
In one last effort to avoid a 0-16 season, the Browns played their final regular season game against their divisional rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Browns were competitive throughout the game due to the Steelers resting most of their starters. The Steelers took an early lead in the first quarter when Darrius Heyward-Bey ran for a 29-yard run for a touchdown to make it 7-0. They would make it 14-0 in the second quarter when Landry Jones found Juju Smith-Schuster for a 20-yard pass. The Browns then got on the board when Duke Johnson ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 14-7. The Steelers pulled away by double digits after Stevan Ridley ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 21-7. The Browns then came within 7 when DeShone Kizer found Rashard Higgins on a 56-yard pass to make it 21-14 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns managed to tie the game at 21-21 when Kizer and Higgins connected again on a 5-yard pass. The Steelers retook the lead when Smith-Schuster returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-21. Zane Gonzalez then got the Browns within 4 with a 51-yard field goal to make it 28-24.

In a highly defensive fourth quarter, the Browns tried to rally a comeback and win. However, on 4th-and-2 with 1:46 left in the game, Browns receiver Corey Coleman dropped a wide open pass from Kizer at the Steelers' 11-yard line, giving the ball back to the Steelers on downs and sealing the Browns' fate.

With the loss, the Browns became the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16 after the 2008 Detroit Lions. Hue Jackson's career record with the Browns fell to 1-31. With that, this is the worst 32-game record since the league adapted a 16-game schedule.

To add insult to injury, later that afternoon, the Buffalo Bills' win over the Miami Dolphins - coupled with a Bengals win over Baltimore - gave the Bills a playoff berth, ending 18 straight years without a postseason appearance by that team. With that, the Cleveland Browns now hold the longest active postseason drought of any NFL team (as well as the second-longest in all North American professional sport; only the Seattle Mariners, who last made the Major League Baseball playoffs in 2001, have been out of the postseason longer), going back to 2002.

With the loss, the Browns tied their franchise record of 17 straight regular season losses. It also was their 21st consecutive road loss, 17th consecutive loss against a divisional opponent, and 14th consecutive road loss to the Steelers.

Also, Kizer became the first professional QB to go 0-15 in his first 15 starts.

Dating back to week 13 of 2014, after a promising 7-4 start, the Browns have lost 49 out of the last 53 games (5-game losing streak to end 2014, 13 losses in 2015, 15 losses in 2016, and 16 losses in 2017).

Aftermath and fan reaction
A parade was held on January 6, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in honor of the Browns' imperfect season and general ineptitude. It was organized by fan Chris McNeil through the contributions of fellow Browns fans and pain reliever manufacturer Excedrin. Additionally, the parade organization raised over $17,000 of charitable donations which went to the Cleveland Food Bank.