<Li> Jump up ^ The 1987 Conference Championship game between the Browns and the Broncos is best remembered for The Drive, in which quarterback John Elway, over the span of 5 minutes and 2 seconds, lead the Broncos on a 98 - yard drive to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining in regulation . The Broncos won the game in overtime with a field goal, 23--20 . </Li> <Li> Jump up ^ The 1987 NFL season was shortened from 16 games per team to 15 games because of a players' strike . Games to be played during the third week of the season were canceled, and replacement players were used to play games from weeks 4 through 6 . </Li> <Li> Jump up ^ The 1988 Conference Championship game between the Browns and the Broncos is best remembered for The Fumble, in which, while on a potentially game - winning drive, the Browns' running back Ernest Byner fumbled the ball at the Broncos 3 - yard line with 65 seconds remaining on the clock . The Broncos recovered the ball, allowed the Browns to get an intentional safety, and won the game, 38--33 . </Li> <Li> Jump up ^ At the end of the 1988 season, the Browns and the Oilers ended the season with identical 10--6 records . Using the NFL's tie - breaking procedures, Cleveland finished ahead of Houston based on a better division record . </Li>

When did the browns have a winning season