The 2021 season was the Cleveland Browns' 69th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL), their 73rd overall and their second under head coachKevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. The Browns finished 8–9, failing to improve upon their 11–5 record from 2020. Despite starting 3–1, they would go 5–8 in their last games, eliminating them from playoff contention in the process. For the 75th anniversary of the team's founding in 1946, the Browns introduced a commemorative logo in January to use for the season.[1]
Cleveland acquired a third-round selection and a 2020 third-round selection from New Orleans in exchange for 2020 third- and seventh-round selections.[6]
Cleveland acquired a fourth-round selection from Philadelphia in exchange for defensive end Genard Avery.[7]
With the win, the Browns improved to 2–1. The Browns' defense set franchise records for fewest yards allowed (47) and fewest net passing yards allowed (1).[12] DE Myles Garrett set a franchise record with 4.5 sacks[12] and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[13]
Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 4: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
This was Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski's first return to Minneapolis since leaving the Vikings in January 2020 to become the Browns head coach. Stefanski served as an assistant coach for the Vikings from 2006 to 2019.
With the win, the Browns improved to 3–1. This marked the Browns' sixth consecutive win over NFC opponents.
Week 5: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 5: Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–2. The Browns became the first team in NFL history to lose a game despite scoring 40+ points and having no turnovers. Such teams were previously 442–0.
Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 6: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–3. This loss ended a 6-game winning streak over NFC opponents and marked the first time the Browns lost consecutive games under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Starting quarterback Baker Mayfield left the game after aggravating a shoulder injury he suffered earlier in the season. Mayfield was ruled out for the following game, ending his streak of 51 consecutive starts at quarterback, the second longest stretch in franchise history (trailing only Brian Sipe's 70 consecutive starts from 1978–82).[14]
Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 7: Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
With the win, the Browns improved to 4–3. RB D'Ernest Johnson was named the FedEx Ground Player of the week. Johnson, who was making his first career start in place of injured RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, had 22 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown, including several key runs to run out the clock and preserve the win.[15]
Week 8: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
With the win, the Browns improved to 5–4. The 25-point margin of victory was the Browns' largest since 2003. RB Nick Chubb was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Chubb rushed for 137 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns.
Week 10: at New England Patriots
Week 10: Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots – Game summary
With the win, the Browns improved to 6–5. This win ended a four-game losing streak to the Lions, as this was the Browns first win over the Lions since 2001.
Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 12: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
With the loss, the Browns went into their bye week at 6–6. The Browns' sixth loss on the season means they did not improve upon their 11–5 record from 2020.
Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 14: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Ravens
0
6
3
13
22
Browns
10
14
0
0
24
at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Date: December 12
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny, 47 °F (8 °C)
Game attendance: 67,431
Referee: Brad Rogers
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
After 25 Browns players and three coaches, including head coach Kevin Stefanski, tested positive for COVID-19 in the week leading up to the game, the game was postponed from its original date of December 18 to December 20.[16] During this time, three players were able to test negative and be activated, but the majority of the infected players were ruled out. With starting QB Baker Mayfield and backup QB Case Keenum sidelined with the virus, third-string QB Nick Mullens made his first start with the Browns. Special teams coach Mike Priefer served as acting head coach for the game.[17]
With the loss, the Browns fell to 7–7.
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
Week 16: Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
On January 2, Cincinnati defeated Kansas City to clinch the AFC North title. This marks the Browns’ 29th consecutive season without winning a division title. With the Los Angeles Chargers’ win over Denver later that day, the Browns were eliminated from playoff contention.[18]
With their 18th straight regular season loss in Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 7–9. They finished 2–6 in away games.
Week 18: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 18: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
With the win, the Browns finished the season 8–9. They finished 6–3 in home games. The Browns swept the Bengals in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1994 and 1995.
^ abTennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
^ abLas Vegas finished ahead of New England based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: Miami, Dallas, LA Chargers, Cleveland, and Indianapolis).
^ abcIndianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
^ abMiami finished ahead of LA Chargers based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: New England, Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and NY Giants).
^ abCleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
^ abNY Jets finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
On December 20, it was announced that G Joel Bitonio, RB Nick Chubb, DE Myles Garrett, G Wyatt Teller, and CB Denzel Ward were named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, with Bitonio and Garrett named as starters. This marks the fourth Pro Bowl selection for Bitonio, the third for Chubb and Garrett, the second for Ward, and the first for Teller.
