2015 Cleveland Browns season

2015 Cleveland Browns season
Head coach Mike Pettine
General manager Ray Farmer
Owner Jimmy Haslam
Home field FirstEnergy Stadium
Results
Record 3–13
Division place 4th AFC North
Playoff finish Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers Alex Mack, C
Joe Thomas, OT
Gary Barnidge, TE

The 2015 Cleveland Browns season was the franchise's 67th season as a professional sports franchise and its 63rd as a member of the National Football League. It was the second and final season under the head coach/general manager tandem of Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer as both were fired January 3, 2016 following a 3–13 season, tied for the worst record in the league with the Tennessee Titans. The team finished in 4th place in the AFC North for a fifth consecutive season.[1] The Browns introduced new uniforms prior to the start of the season, along with updating its orange color to a darker hue.

Offseason

Personnel changes

On January 8, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left the Browns due to disagreements about the quarterback Johnny Manziel's readiness to start. Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains was fired the same day. Notably, Loggains was instrumental in the team's drafting of Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft. On January 15, wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel left the Browns by mutual agreement.

On January 21, John DeFilippo was hired as the Browns’ new offensive coordinator. DeFilippo, who has been the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach for the past three seasons, replaces Kyle Shanahan, who resigned earlier in the month. After his first stint as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach (2007–08), DeFilippo worked with HC Mike Pettine for one successful season with the New York Jets. Under DeFilippo’s guidance, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez showed enough poise to lead New York to the AFC Championship. Pettine was the Jets’ defensive coordinator that season.

On January 27, Joker Phillips was hired as wide receivers coach.

On January 31, Kevin O'Connell accepted the position of quarterbacks coach.

Roster changes

Free agents

Pos Player Tag 2015 Team Signed
WR Miles Austin UFA Philadelphia Eagles March 31
SS Johnson Bademosi RFA Cleveland Browns April 23[2]
TE Jordan Cameron UFA Miami Dolphins March 12
RB Shaun Draughn UFA Cleveland Browns March 6[3]
QB Brian Hoyer UFA Houston Texans March 11[4]
NT Sione Fua UFA TBA
FS Tashaun Gipson RFA Cleveland Browns [5]
NT Ishmaa'ily Kitchen RFA TBA
P Spencer Lanning ERFA Tampy Bay Buccaneers March 6[6]
SS Jim Leonhard UFA Retired
WR Marlon Moore UFA Cleveland Browns March 11[7]
ILB Craig Robertson ERFA Cleveland Browns April 23[8]
NT Ahtyba Rubin UFA Seattle Seahawks March 19[9]
OT Ryan Seymour ERFA Cleveland Browns March 9[10]
OLB Jabaal Sheard UFA New England Patriots March 11[11]
CB Buster Skrine UFA New York Jets March 10[12]
OLB Scott Solomon UFA Cleveland Browns Unknown
QB Tyler Thigpen UFA TBA
Players shaded in green re-signed with the Browns
UFA: Unrestricted free agent

RFA: Restricted free agent
ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
FT: Player was designated with the franchise tag
TT: Player was designated with the transition tag

Releases

Pos Player Released 2015 Team Signed
OL Paul McQuistan February 13

Signings

Pos Player 2014 Team Signed
CB Micah Pellerin Dallas Cowboys January 20[13]
CB Varmah Sonie Tampa Bay Buccaneers February 18[14]
QB Josh McCown Tampa Bay Buccaneers March 2[15]
WR Brian Hartline Miami Dolphins March 10[16]
QB Thad Lewis Houston Texans March 12[17]
CB Tramon Williams Green Bay Packers March 16[18]
DE Randy Starks Miami Dolphins March 16[19]
WR Dwayne Bowe Kansas City Chiefs March 20[20]
TE Rob Housler Arizona Cardinals April 9[21]

2015 draft class

Main article: 2015 NFL draft
2015 Cleveland Browns Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 12 Danny Shelton Defensive tackle Washington
19 Cameron Erving Guard Florida State
2 51 Nate Orchard Defensive end Utah
3 77 Duke Johnson Running back Miami (Florida)
96 Xavier Cooper Defensive Tackle Washington State
4 115 Ibraheim Campbell Safety Northwestern
123 Vince Mayle Wide receiver Washington State
6 189 Charles Gaines Cornerback Louisville
195 Malcolm Johnson Fullback Mississippi State
198 Randall Telfer Tight end USC
7 219 Hayes Pullard Inside linebacker USC
241 Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Cornerback Oregon
Notes

Gordon suspension

On January 25, it was announced that wide receiver Josh Gordon was facing a year-long suspension following a fifth failed drug test, this time for alcohol. This follows a 10-game suspension in 2014 for testing positive for marijuana. On February 3, the league imposed the suspension without pay for at least one year, possibly indefinitely. His earliest return would be training camp for the 2016 season.[22]

Manziel enters rehab

On February 3, 2015, quarterback Johnny Manziel voluntarily entered a rehab facility for dependence on alcohol. He exited the facility on April 12, shortly prior to the beginning of offseason workouts.[23]

GM Farmer suspension

In an incident widely dubbed as Textgate, it was announced on February 4 that the Browns faced sanctions amid allegations of text messages being sent from general manager Ray Farmer to coaches and coordinators during games during the 2014 season, a violation of NFL rules. On March 30, 2015 it was announced Ray Farmer was suspended for the first four games of the season without pay and the Browns were fined $250,000 for the incident. No loss of current or future draft picks were imposed.[24]

Logo and uniform changes

The Browns introduced new logos on February 24. The helmet remains the primary logo, changing the team's orange color to a darker hue, and changing the facemask from gray to brown. The team also premiered a secondary logo, which is a simplistic helmet, and a new logo for the Dawg Pound.

On April 14, the Browns premiered nine new uniforms. There are three jersey colors and three pants colors: orange, brown, and white, allowing for nine possible uniform combinations. The uniforms have "Cleveland" above the numbers on the front, "Browns" down the leg, and "Dawg Pound" inside the collar. The uniforms are the first in the NFL to utilize contrast stitching and chainmail/raised numbers. The team name down the leg are also NFL firsts.

Preseason

Schedule

This was the first preseason in 13 years in which the Great Lakes Classic was not played against the rival Detroit Lions.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 13 Washington Redskins L 17–20 0–1 First Energy Stadium Recap
2 August 20 Buffalo Bills L 10–11 0–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 August 29 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 31–7 1–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
4 September 3 at Chicago Bears L 0–24 1–3 Soldier Field Recap

Moeller suspended

On September 7, the Browns suspended offensive line coach Andy Moeller indefinitely in response to an alleged assault Moeller is being investigated for.[25] He and the Browns mutually parted ways before the teams' home opener on Sept. 27th.[26]

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 13 at New York Jets L 10–31 0–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
2 September 20 Tennessee Titans W 28–14 1–1 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 September 27 Oakland Raiders L 20–27 1–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
4 October 4 at San Diego Chargers L 27–30 1–3 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
5 October 11 at Baltimore Ravens W 33–30 (OT) 2–3 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
6 October 18 Denver Broncos L 23–26 (OT) 2–4 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
7 October 25 at St. Louis Rams L 6–24 2–5 Edward Jones Dome Recap
8 November 1 Arizona Cardinals L 20–34 2–6 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
9 November 5 at Cincinnati Bengals L 10–31 2–7 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
10 November 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 9–30 2–8 Heinz Field Recap
11 Bye
12 November 30 Baltimore Ravens L 27–33 2–9 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
13 December 6 Cincinnati Bengals L 3–37 2–10 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
14 December 13 San Francisco 49ers W 24–10 3–10 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
15 December 20 at Seattle Seahawks L 13–30 3–11 CenturyLink Field Recap
16 December 27 at Kansas City Chiefs L 13–17 3–12 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
17 January 3 Pittsburgh Steelers L 12–28 3–13 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at New York Jets

Week One: Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 10 0010
Jets 0 14 10731

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter
  • No scoring
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • NYJ (10:43) - Chris Ivory 3 yd rush (Nick Folk kick)
    Jets 31, Browns 10 Drive: 4 plays, 19 yds, 2:11
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
Top special teams

The Jets routed the Browns 31-10. Late in the first quarter, the Browns' starting quarterback, Josh McCown, fumbled the football in the Jets' endzone and suffered a concussion. He was ruled out and replaced by Johnny Manziel for the remainder of the contest. The Browns led 10-7 late in the first half, but the Jets scored a touchdown late in the second quarter to lead 14-10 at halftime. In the second half, the Browns failed to score while the Jets scored 17 unanswered points to turn it into a blowout. The Browns committed 5 turnovers in the game, with 4 of them being lost fumbles. They also committed 12 penalties, losing 109 yards.

With the loss, the Browns opened the season at 0-1. They lost their 11th straight season opener, extending their NFL record for the most consecutive season opening losses by a franchise in NFL history.

Week 2: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Two: Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 0 0 7714
Browns 14 7 0728

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
Top special teams

In the team's home opener, former Heisman Trophy winners Johnny Manziel and Marcus Mariota started against each other, and the two combined for over 400 yards with each having a pair of TD's and no INT's. After the Browns led 21-0 at halftime, Anthony Fasano and Dexter McCluster factored in each of the scoring drives for Tennessee, as defensive containment limited Mariota for most of the game. The Titans cut the deficit to 21-14 late in the 4th quarter. On their next drive, the Browns reached midfield and faced 3rd and 2. On a broken play, Manziel found Benjamin and threw a touchdown to put the Browns up 28-14. The Titans reached the red zone on their next drive, but Mariota fumbled and lost the ball, allowing the Browns to run out the clock. After committing 5 turnovers in their season opener, the Browns had 0 turnovers while forcing 3 Titans turnovers. For Cleveland, Armonty Bryant led the Browns with 2.5 sacks (of the 7 total) as they pressured the Titans to turn over the ball 3 times, and a selection for AFC Special Teams Player of the Week was bestowed upon WR/KR Travis Benjamin, who had 269 all-purpose yards, including a 78-yard punt return TD.

With the win, the Browns ended their six-game losing streak and improved to 1-1 on the season. Benjamin's 3 TD's were all over 50 yards, becoming only the third player in NFL history to have three 50+ yard touchdowns in the same game.

Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Three: Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Raiders 3 14 3727
Browns 0 3 71020

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
  • OAK (8:33) - Sebastian Janikowski 23 yd field goal
    Raiders 3, Browns 0 Drive: 13 plays, 72 yds, 6:27
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
Top special teams

The Raiders opened the scoring on their first drive of the game, settling for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. The Browns failed to score and trailed 3-0 after the first quarter. The Raiders scored a second quarter touchdown to take a 10-0 lead. Late in the half, the Browns reached the Raiders' 1 yard line and had 1st and goal at the 1. However, they failed to get into the end zone in three attempts. After a false start penalty on 4th and goal, the Browns settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to 10-3. With less than 2 minutes remaining in the half, the Raiders drove down the field, and QB Derek Carr threw a touchdown pass, giving the Raiders a 17-3 lead at halftime. Early in the third quarter, the Raiders kicked another field goal and went up 20-3. The Browns finally reached the end zone in the third quarter as QB Josh McCown completed a 28-yard pass to TE Gary Barnidge, cutting it to 20-10. The Raiders scored another touchdown early in the 4th quarter, and the Browns trailed 27-10. At that moment, the Browns began to mount a 4th quarter rally. K Travis Coons kicked a field goal to pull within 27-13. The Raiders turned the ball over in their own territory on their next drive, and the Browns scored another touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-20. The Browns' defense forced a 3 and out, and the Raiders were forced to punt. However, Travis Benjamin muffed the punt, and the Raiders recovered it. The Raiders ran three more plays before they punted again, pinning the Browns at their own 2 yard line. The Browns had one last chance to score a game saving touchdown. Within 2 minutes, they reached the Raiders' 29 yard line. After McCown was sacked, the Browns faced 3rd and 14 on the Raiders' 34 yard line with under 45 seconds to play. At that moment, McCown threw a pass that was intercepted by Charles Woodson. With no timeouts remaining, the Raiders were able to kneel and run out the clock.

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 1-2.

Week 4: at San Diego Chargers

Week Four: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 10 31127
Chargers 7 6 71030

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • CLE (14:10) - Duke Johnson 34 yd pass from Josh McCown (Travis Coons kick)
    Browns 10, Chargers 7 Drive: 4 plays, 80 yds, 1:38
  • SD (10:37) - Josh Lambo 46 yd field goal
    Browns 10, Chargers 10 Drive: 9 plays, 56 yds, 3:33
  • SD (1:36) - Josh Lambo 45 yd field goal
    Chargers 13, Browns 10 Drive: 10 plays, 60 yds, 1:59
  • CLE (0:03) - Travis Coons 28 yd field goal
    Chargers 13, Browns 13 Drive: 9 plays, 70 yds, 1:30
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
Top special teams
  • CLE –
  • SD –

The Browns were making their first trip to San Diego since 2006. The game was back and forth, with neither team leading by more than one possession. The Chargers led 7-3 after the 1st quarter. On the Browns' first drive of the second quarter, QB Josh McCown threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to RB Duke Johnson to put the Browns up 10-7. The teams traded field goals, making it a 13-13 game at halftime. The Browns scored a field goal at the start of the 3rd quarter to go up 16-13. On the Chargers' next drive, QB Phillip Rivers led the Chargers to a touchdown, going up 20-16 heading into the 4th quarter. After K Travis Coons kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 20-19, Rivers led another touchdown drive to put the Chargers up 27-19. On the Browns' next drive, they reached the end zone, assisted by an incredible catch by TE Gary Barnidge on the Chargers' 1 yard line. They converted on the two point conversion to tie the game at 27-27 with just over 2 minutes remaining. The Chargers reached the Browns' 24 yard line with under 50 seconds to play. The Browns began to use timeouts until the Chargers faced 4th down with 2 seconds to play. After the Chargers called timeout, their kicker had an opportunity to win the game with a 39-yard field goal. The 39 yard game winning attempt was off to the right, and the game appeared to be on its way to overtime.. However, CB Tramon Williams was flagged for being offside during the play, giving the Chargers another attempt, this time from 34 yards. The field goal was converted, and the Chargers won 30-27. The Browns committed 12 penalties in the game, including this critical offside penalty.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 1-3.

Week 5: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Five: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Browns 3 6 714333
Ravens 14 0 79030

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Overtime
  • CLE (7:28) - Travis Coons 32 yd field goal
Top passers
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • BAL –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • BAL –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • BAL –

The Browns opened division play in a week 5 battle with the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens QB Joe Flacco entered this game with a 13-1 record against the Browns. The Ravens' defense was strong, limiting the running game to just 9 yards on the first 8 attempts, with constant blitz pressure forcing Browns QB Josh McCown to make the right reads on his passes. The Ravens led 14-3 after the first quarter and 21-9 early in the third quarter. At that point, the Browns began to come back. The Browns scored a touchdown to make it 21-16 heading into the 4th quarter. Connecting with TE Gary Barnidge on an 80-yd drive in the fourth quarter, the Browns led for the first time at 22-21. Teams then traded scores, with the Ravens leading 27-22, then the Browns leading 30-27 with three minutes left in regulation. The Ravens used those three minutes to drive down the field and tie the game with a field goal. Tied at 30 after regulation, the game headed into overtime. The Ravens got the ball first. The Browns' defense forced a 3-and-out, and Travis Benjamin set up the punt at the Brown's 35. The Ravens failed to force a punt or turnover as the Browns drove down the field to the Ravens' 14 yard line, where K Travis Coons would kick the game-winning field goal .

McCown completed passes to nine different receivers; four of them—Gary Barnidge, Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel—had six or more receptions. He finished 36/51 for a career high 457 yards with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. McCown also became the first quarterback in franchise history to throw 300+ passing yards in three straight games. The Browns ran the ball 25 times, with seven carries in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal by Coons, who is now 10-for-10 to start his career.

With the win, the Browns improved to 2-3 and moved into 3rd place in the AFC North. The Browns snapped a five-game road losing streak and a seven-game losing streak in Baltimore. This was also the Browns' first overtime win since November 18, 2007, coincidentally a 33-30 road victory over the Ravens in the infamous "Dawson Bar" Game.

For his performance, QB Josh McCown was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

This will be the last road win for the Cleveland Browns as of week 10 of 2016 and also the last time the Browns defeated an AFC North rival.

Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Six: Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Broncos 3 7 310326
Browns 0 0 716023

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DEN –
  • CLE –
Top rushers
  • DEN –
  • CLE –
Top receivers
  • DEN –
  • CLE –
Top tacklers
  • DEN –
  • CLE –

The Browns entered this game hoping to knock off the unbeaten Denver Broncos. The Broncos' defense dominated the first half as the Browns trailed 10-0 at halftime. The Browns had 94 yards of offense, their lowest total yards in a half this season. The Broncos' offense scored a field goal while CB Aqib Talib picked off QB Josh McCown and scored a defensive touchdown. On the Browns' first drive of the second half, they went 72 yards and McCown threw a touchdown pass to TE Gary Barnidge to cut the deficit to 10-7. The Broncos kicked a field goal late in the third quarter and took a 13-7 lead into the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos extended the lead to 16-7. The Browns went down the field as McCown and Barnidge connected on another touchdown, cutting the deficit to 16-14. On the Broncos' next drive, Denver QB Peyton Manning threw an interception to LB Karlos Dansby, which was returned for a touchdown. The Browns took their first lead of the game, going up 20-16. The Browns attempted a two-point conversion which would have given them a 6-point lead, but failed. On the first play of the Broncos' next drive, Manning threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Sanders, and the Broncos reclaimed the lead at 23-20. The teams traded punts before the Browns tied the game with a field goal, making it 23-23. On the Broncos' next drive, the Browns forced a three and out. The Browns reached the Broncos' 46 yard line and were approaching field goal range. However, McCown threw an interception on 2nd and 10. The Broncos went three and out again and were forced to punt. The Browns took a knee, and the game went into overtime.

In overtime, The Broncos won the coin toss and elected to receive. On 3rd and 2, Manning threw an interception to LB Barkevious Mingo, who ran it back to the Broncos' 39 yard line. The Browns were approaching field goal range and would win the game with a field goal. However, they lost 13 yards on the next three plays and were forced to punt. The Broncos reached the Browns' 16 yard line on their next drive, and their kicker Brandon McManus successfully converted the 34 yard game winning field goal.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 2-4.

Week 7: at St. Louis Rams

Week Seven: Cleveland Browns at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 306
Rams 10 0 7724

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 51,523
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • STL –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • STL –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • STL –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • STL –

The Rams routed the Browns 24-6. The Browns committed turnovers on their first two drives, one was run back for a defensive score while the other resulted in a Rams field goal to put the Browns behind 10-0. The Browns kicked two field goals and cut the deficit to 10-6, but the offense stalled after that. The Rams forced two more turnovers and scored two more touchdowns to go up 24-6 early in the 4th quarter and put the game away.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 2-5.

Week 8: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Eight: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 3 141034
Browns 7 13 0020

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ARI –
  • CLE –
Top rushers
  • ARI –
  • CLE –
Top receivers
  • ARI –
  • CLE –
Top tacklers
  • ARI –
  • CLE –

The Cardinals received the ball first and scored on an 80-yard touchdown drive to go up 7-0. After a turnover, the Browns tied the game up at 7-7. The Browns scored two more touchdowns to go up 20-7. The Cardinals drove into the red zone, but Fitzgerald turned the ball over. After the Browns went 3 and out, the Cardinals drove down the field and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 20-10 heading into halftime. The Cardinals dominated the second half. They scored 14 unanswered to go up 24-20 heading into the 4th quarter. The Cardinals committed a turnover on their own 20 yard line late in the third quarter, but McCown threw an interception into the endzone on the Browns' next drive. The Cardinals scored another touchdown on their next drive, going up 31-20. After the Browns turned it over, the Cardinals kicked a field goal to make it 34-20. With QB Josh McCown injured, backup Johnny Manziel entered the game on the Browns' final drive. However, the Browns were able to gain only one first down before turning it over on downs and effectively ending the game.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 2-6.

Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Nine: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 7 0010
Bengals 7 7 31431

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • CIN –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • CIN –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • CIN –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • CIN –

In a Thursday Night Football matchup, the Bengals defeated the Browns 31-10. Browns QB Johnny Manziel made his fourth career start and second of this season in place of the injured Josh McCown. The Browns received the ball first and punted after gaining only one first down. The Bengals scored a touchdown on their opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. The Browns reached the Bengals' 4 yard line, but they were unable to reach the end zone and settled for a field goal. The Bengals led 7-3 after the first quarter. The Bengals scored an early second quarter touchdown to go up 14-3. The Browns went 93 yards and scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-10 heading into halftime. The Bengals dominated the second half as the Browns did not record a first down until the 3 minute mark of the 4th quarter and had only 2 first downs for the entire second half. The Bengals scored another touchdown to go up 24-10 early in the 4th quarter. The Browns went 3 and out again, and the Bengals scored another touchdown on their next drive to take a 31-10 lead. The Browns attempted to respond, but they could not gain a first down and punted again. The Browns blocked a Bengals' and had the ball at Cincinnati's 37 yard line. They had two first downs on the drive, but they failed to score a touchdown and turned the ball over on downs, allowing the Bengals to run out the clock.

With the loss, the Browns' record dropped to 2-7.

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Ten: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 069
Steelers 6 15 3630

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 64,402
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • PIT –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • PIT –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • PIT –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • PIT –

The Browns entered into their divisional rivalry game with the Pittsburgh Steelers having lost 19 of their last 22 meetings and 11 straight games at Heinz Field. Neither team's designated starting quarterback would start the game as Josh McCown had a rib injury and Stelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger had an foot injury. Pittsbugh QB Landry Jones would leave the game in the first quarter, forcing Roethlisberger into the game. Leading 6-3 after the 1st quarter, the Steelers would take control of the game in the 2nd quarter, scoring two touchdowns and taking a 21-3 lead into halftime. Steelers K Chris Boswell added a field goal in the third quarter, followed up by a Johnny Manziel touchdown pass to Gary Barnidge early in the 4th quarter to cut the Pittsburgh lead to 24-9, but a late Steelers touchdown gave them a 30-9 lead, which would end up being the final.

Coming off the bench, Roethlisberger passed for 379 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to WR Antonio Brown who led the Steelers with 139 yards. In the loss, Manziel passed for a career-high 372 yards with a touchdown, but he threw a key interception in the red zone. The Steelers defense sacked Manziel six times.

With the loss, the Browns entered their bye week at 2-8 and had sole possession of the NFL's worst record.

Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Twelve: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Ravens 10 7 7933
Browns 0 13 7727

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • BAL –
  • CLE –
Top rushers
  • BAL –
  • CLE –
Top receivers
  • BAL –
  • CLE –
Top tacklers
  • BAL –
  • CLE –

ESPN's Monday Night Football returned to Cleveland for the first time in 7 years in a repeat of the AFC North Division rivals.

With just :03 left to play in regulation, the match tied at 27-27, Browns kicker Travis Coons lined up for what would have been the game-winning field goal, but the kick was blocked at the line of scrimmage, which was the rookie's first miss of the season. Ravens safety Will Hill then scooped up the live ball and returned it 64 yards for the game-winning touchdown as time expired. Their record is now 2-14 all time against the Ravens in the Harbaugh-Flacco era.

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 2-9, which guaranteed them their 8th consecutive losing season. Critics would later evaluate the contest as one of the Top-5 worst defeats in the history of the Browns and City of Cleveland.

Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 13 14337
Browns 0 3 003

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 64,775
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, Matt Millen and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CIN –
  • CLE –
Top rushers
  • CIN –
  • CLE –
Top receivers
  • CIN –
  • CLE –
Top tacklers
  • CIN –
  • CLE –

The Bengals dominated in every aspect of the game en route to a 37-3 win. The Browns started third-string quarterback Austin Davis, as Josh McCown was placed on IR earlier that week and Johnny Manziel was being disciplined for his antics during the team's bye week. Davis threw for 230 yards and an interception, while his counterpart, Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to A.J. Green and ran for a third score.

With their seventh straight loss, the Browns dropped to 2-10 and became the first team in the league that season to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. This marked the 13th straight year that the team missed the playoffs. It was also their 13th consecutive loss in the month of the December. The 34-point margin of defeat was the team's largest since Week 16 of the 2005 season, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-0.

Week 14: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Fourteen: San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 0 3 0710
Browns 7 3 7724

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • SF –
  • CLE –
Top rushers
  • SF –
  • CLE –
Top receivers
  • SF –
  • CLE –
Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • CLE –

With the win, the Browns snapped their 7-game losing streak and a 13-game losing streak in December games as they improved to 3-10. This is the Browns's last regular season win as of week 11, 2016.

Week 15: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 7 3 0313
Seahawks 7 13 01030

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • SEA –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • SEA –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • SEA –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • SEA –

The Browns fall to 3-11.

Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Sixteen: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 7313
Chiefs 10 7 0017

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • KC –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • KC –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • KC –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • KC –

The Browns fall to 3-12 with the loss. With the Ravens' win over the Steelers, they are assured last place in the AFC North.

Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Seventeen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 7 31128
Browns 3 6 0312

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: January 3, 2016
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 34 °F (1 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 66,693
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • PIT –
  • CLE –
Top rushers
  • PIT –
  • CLE –
Top receivers
  • PIT –
  • CLE –
Top tacklers
  • PIT –
  • CLE –

The Steelers made the playoffs with a dominating 28-12 win over the Browns (and a Jets loss to the Bills). The game was competitive for three quarters, but the Browns failed to get into the endzone, scoring 4 field goals and committing 3 turnovers (2 of them in the 4th quarter, which resulted in Steelers scores). The Browns finished the season with a 3-13 record, their worst record since the 2000 season (when they also went 3-13). It was tied for their second fewest wins in a season, ahead of only the 1999 Browns, who won 2 games and went 2-14 that season. Ray Farmer was immediately fired that day along with Mike Pettine, who had lost 18 of his last 21 games going back to Week 13 of the previous season.

2016 Pro Bowl

Despite the team's awful performance on the field, T Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack were invited to the 2016 Pro Bowl. This marks Thomas' 9th consecutive Pro Bowl selection and ties him with Hall of Famers Lou Groza and Jim Brown for the most pro bowl selections in Browns history. This marks Mack's 3rd appearance in the game.

Special teamer Johnson Bademosi, TE Gary Barnidge, and WR Travis Benjamin were named as alternates at their respective positions.

Standings

Division

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Cincinnati Bengals 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 419 279 W1
(6) Pittsburgh Steelers 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 423 319 W1
Baltimore Ravens 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 328 401 L1
Cleveland Browns 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 278 432 L3

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Denver Broncos West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .500 .479 W2
2[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .473 .448 L2
3[lower-alpha 1] Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .406 W1
4 Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .410 W3
Wild Cards
5 Kansas City Chiefs West 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .496 .432 W10
6[lower-alpha 2] Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .504 .463 W1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7[lower-alpha 2] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .441 .388 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .508 .438 W2
9[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 4–2 6–6 .500 .406 W2
10 Oakland Raiders West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 .512 .366 L1
11 Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .469 .469 W2
12[lower-alpha 3] Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .473 .375 L3
13[lower-alpha 3] Baltimore Ravens North 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .425 L1
14 San Diego Chargers West 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .527 .328 L2
15[lower-alpha 3] Cleveland Browns North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 .531 .271 L3
16[lower-alpha 3] Tennessee Titans South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .492 .375 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 4]
  1. 1 2 3 Denver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. 1 2 Pittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The tiebreaker was based on head-to-head victory.
  4. ↑ 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.

Staff

2015 Cleveland Browns staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator – Jim O'Neil
  • Defensive Line – Anthony Weaver
  • Linebackers – Chuck Driesbach
  • Assistant Linebackers – Brian Fleury
  • Secondary – Jeff Hafley
  • Assistant Defensive Backs – Bobby Babich
  • Assistant Defensive Backs – Aaron Glenn
  • Defensive Quality Control – Tony Tuioti

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Chris Tabor
  • Special Teams Assistant – Shawn Mennenga

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Paul Ricci
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Mike Wolf
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Derik Keyes

Final roster

2015 Cleveland Browns final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 Active, 13 Inactive, 9 Practice squad

References

  1. ↑ http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-part-ways-with-General-Manager-Ray-Farmer-Head-Coach-Mike-Pettine/d6a5e434-efcc-49ba-a46e-2d1c6ac2c655
  2. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 23, 2015). "Browns LB Craig Robertson, DB Johnson Bademosi sign tender agreements". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  3. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 6, 2015). "Browns re-sign RB Shaun Draughn". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Brian Hoyer chooses Texans". ESPN. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  5. ↑ http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/roster/Tashaun-Gipson/65f2572a-abdd-45e8-9cb8-389883a36a6c
  6. ↑ Jones, Kevin (March 6, 2015). "Browns re-sign punter Spencer Lanning". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 11, 2015). "Browns re-sign WR Marlon Moore". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  8. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 23, 2015). "Browns LB Craig Robertson, DB Johnson Bademosi sign tender agreements". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  9. ↑ Farnsworth, Clare (March 20, 2015). "Nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin signs with Seahawks". Seattle Seahawks. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ Jones, Kevin (March 9, 2015). "Browns re-sign offensive lineman Ryan Seymour". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  11. ↑ Patra, Kevin (March 11, 2015). "Patriots sign Jabaal Sheard to two-year, $11M deal". ESPN. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  12. ↑ Cimini, Rich (March 10, 2015). "Buster Skrine to sign with Jets". ESPN. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  13. ↑ Chris Pokorny (January 20, 2015). "Browns sign Micah Pellerin". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Browns sign Varmah Sonie". Cleveland Browns. February 18, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  15. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (February 27, 2015). "Browns agree to terms with QB Josh McCown". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  16. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 10, 2015). "Browns sign WR Brian Hartline". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  17. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 12, 2015). "Browns sign QB Thaddeus Lewis". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  18. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 16, 2015). "Browns sign DB Tramon Williams". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  19. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 16, 2015). "Browns sign DL Randy Starks". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  20. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 20, 2015). "Browns sign WR Dwayne Bowe". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  21. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 9, 2015). "Browns sign TE Rob Housler". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Report: Josh Gordon fails drug test, faces another ban". www.foxsports.com. Fox Sports. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Johnny Manziel enters treatment". www.espn.com. ESPN. February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Browns GM suspended four games". www.espn.com. ESPN. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  25. ↑ Cabot, Mary Kay (September 7, 2015). "Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller suspended indefinitely". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  26. ↑ Sessler, Marc (September 29, 2015). "Browns part ways with O-line coach Andy Moeller". nfl.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.

External links

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