1977 Cleveland Browns season


The 1977 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 28th season with the National Football League. After a 6-4 start, the Browns lost their final four games of the season, to finish with a disappointing 6-8 record. With one game left in the season, head coach Forrest Gregg was fired and replaced by Dick Modzelewski.

Offseason

NFL Draft

The following were selected in the 1977 NFL Draft.
RoundOverallPlayerPositionSchool/Club Team
117Robert L. JacksonLinebackerTexas A&M
246Tom SkladanyPunterOhio State
4102Oliver DavisDefensive backTennessee State
4110Mickey SimsDefensive tackleSouth Carolina State
7173Kenny RandleWide receiverSMU
7184Blane SmithLinebackerPurdue
7188Bob LingenfelterOffensive tackleNebraska
8213Bill ArmstrongDefensive backWake Forest
9240Daryl BrownDefensive backTufts
10269Tom BurkettOffensive tackleNorth Carolina
11296Charles NashWide receiverArizona
12325Leo TierneyCenterGeorgia Tech

Exhibition schedule

Regular season schedule

Game summaries

Week 1

The 1977 season started with a league rival and an impressive win.

Week 2

The Cleveland Browns had not hosted nor been in a Monday Night Football game since the 1973 season, when they lost at home against the Miami Dolphins. The Cleveland Stadium was sold out that beautiful night along the lakefront and the crowd looked forward to a great game. Indeed, the game went into overtime, and with a little more than 10 minutes left in over time, Don Cockroft kicked a 35-yard field goal to end the game with a win for the Browns. Howard Cosell said that it was one of the most exciting finishes to a Monday Night Football game that he ever witnessed.

Week 5

The Browns beat the Oilers 24-23 on another Crockfort last-second field goal. Toni Fritsch kicks a 37-yarder with 4:28 left to give Houston a 23-21 lead, but running back Greg Pruitt leads the Browns on their final scoring drive with three runs and a 13-yard third-down completion to Cleo Miller. Crockfort's six points lift him past Jim Brown to the no. 2 spot on the Browns' all-time scoring list.

Week 7

Scoring their most points in 9 years, the Browns break a team record with 34 first downs while rolling up 526 yards in a rout over The Kansas City Chiefs 44-7. Greg Pruitt rushes for 153 yards. Brian Sipe threw for 200 yards and tight end Gary Parris catches two touchdown passes.

Standings

Roster