5-4-3-2-1 Touchdown Browns! 1986 AFC Central Champs!

This is the second in a series of stories on the Browns and the game where they secured their playoff spot or the AFC Central title! Today, we look back in time. To Bernie and the “Slaughter in the Jungle!”

 

The first time the Browns won the AFC Central in the 1980’s was 1985, the year prior with an 8-8 record. But a young, core group of returning players lit 1986 up like a Christmas tree. And wouldn’t you know it? They secured their Central crown in Cincinnati! Again! Just like 1972.

The 1986 AFC Central Champions!

A 23 year old Bernie Kosar became the face of the future that year. But the start of the 37th Browns season was a brutal reminder of the frailties of life.

 

The Death of Don

 

Underappreciated Browns player thread. Who you got?

Mine👇 Don Rogers. He finished 2nd in DROY voting in 1984. He only played two NFL seasons because he died of a cocaine overdose the day before his wedding and only eight days after Len Bias death. Tragic story. pic.twitter.com/cN6Cqli2Ud

— FB_Helmet_Guy (@FB_Helmet_Guy) December 17, 2022

 

Don Rogers was a hard-hitting safety out of UCLA. Chosen by the Browns in the first round in 1984, he spent two outstanding years minding the defensive backfield for Cleveland. But in the off season before the 1986 training camp, he died of a cocaine overdose the day before his wedding.  BrownsNation.com has a wonderful and sad story about his life and death.

 

Shortly after his death, training camp opened to sadness. Defensive lineman Dave Puzzoli remembered Rogers as being “our Ed Reed.” Mike Baab said it best when the team gathered together in 2016 to celebrate that season.

 

“You’re only in football for a little bit, and if you worry about it too much, you start thinking about other things … [Rogers death] was more of a launch than anything. There wasn’t anything that was going to stop us back then.” 

 

Quick Recap on 1986 AFC Central Championship 

The Browns started the season at 1-2 with both losses being to the Champion Bears and the Bengals. With Bernie driving the bus, the club won six of their next eight games including a win at Three Rivers, which hadn’t been completed in awhile.

 

But on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Cleveland faced the Steelers at home and an overtime touchdown pass to Webster Slaughter sealed the 37-31 victory. Sitting now at 8-4, the Browns were poised for their second AFC Central title. But tied with them for first was Cincinnati.

Thanks for the great memories from the years you both played for the Cleveland Browns. All those teams were so fun to watch. I especially remember the TD pass from Bernie to Webster vs the Steelers in OT to beat them 37-31 on Nov. 23, 1986 @ Cleveland Stadium. What a game! https://t.co/bqJRU2HUGx pic.twitter.com/JCdSDfo9JT

— Tom Brunswick (@tom_brunswick) September 25, 2021

Week 13 saw the Bengals lose to Denver, who almost blew a 34-14 lead in the fourth quarter! The Browns, meanwhile, were struggling with the Houston Oilers. And they were without their outstanding kicker, Matt Bahr, who suffered an injury the week prior. Earlier that week, Mark Moseley, the former Washington kicker and AP MVP for 1982, was signed to help the team’s postseason run. (Sound familiar??)

Courtesy of YouTube.com.

Lo and behold, Moseley booted a 29 yarder in OT for the victory. Cleveland now owned a one game lead over the hated Bengals. 

 

The Bills were the next Browns victim while Cincy crushed the Patriots setting up the Week 15 showdown. Browns win? Win the Central. Bengals win? Week 16 would determine the division leader.

 

Bernie v Boomer, Browns v Bengals!

This wasn’t a match up of two powerhouses. This was a one-sided “Slaughter” by the Browns. The 34-3 final was as much a testament to the Lindy Infante offense as it was to first-year defensive coordinator Dave Adolph’s game plan. Stopping the best offense in the NFL at home in a key matchup was incredible.

 

The first play from scrimmage was a bomb to Reggie Langhorne from Kosar and after Kevin Mack punched it in from a yard out (he had just fumbled on the play after the pass), the rout was on!

 

The Bengals moved deep into Browns territory after the touchdown. On third down, Sam Clancy tipped Boomer Esiason’s pass in the red zone, forcing the ball to flutter to the ground. The field goal they booted would be their only points on that sunny, cold afternoon.

 

Webster Slaughter

 

Happy Birthday to Browns' legend Webster Slaughter!!! pic.twitter.com/SxpWWmt0v5

— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) October 19, 2023

 

 

The rookie, Webster Slaughter, found a partner in Bernie. The second round selection out of San Diego State and his cabbage patch dance after each touchdown was a huge fan favorite.

 

After not being selected in round one of the draft, Slaughter went to bed. Upon hearing her son was drafted by Cleveland from the phone call she received, she ran to wake her son up! Here’s Webster’s story of how he almost screwed up his future.

 

“When I had the visit with the Browns, they wanted to bring me down before the draft,” Slaughter said. “I missed the plane. I remember them calling me saying, ‘Did you really miss the plane, or did you just didn’t want to be here?’ I said, ‘No, I really missed the plane.’ Anyway, I didn’t know if I would end up here or not.” 

 

After a Moseley miss, the defense forced the Bengals to a 3 and out. A Curtis Dickey run to the right put the ball at the 46 of Cincinnati and Bernie called upon his rookie.

 

Slaughter ran a hitch route that was so precise he caused Lewis Billups, covering the speedster, to fall and the closest Bengal was roughly 10 yards from Slaughter as he raced into the endzone.

 

But Slaughter wasn’t finished! Late in the third quarter, Curtis Dickey ran over left guard and just before he got to the goal line, he fumbled the ball. It bounced into the endzone where Slaughter slid and recovered it for a Browns TD. Many were befuddled as to why that was a touchdown since a rule change that happened prior due to the Raiders forward fumble play. But the rule was only good for the last 2 minutes of a game. His score counted.

 

A Celebration of the AFC Central Title

I found this old quote from Coach Marty Schottenheimer on my dad, Clay Matthews:

“Clay was a terrific, terrific player, vastly underrated in my view. One of the best linebackers I’ve ever been around.”

Sending my love to the Schottenheimer Family. 🙏🏼💙😢

📷: @clevelanddotcom pic.twitter.com/46dmUAIIEc

— Jennifer Matthews (@JennMatthews57) February 10, 2021

There was no doubt about this Central crown. Unlike the prior’s 8-8 record. Even Nev Chandler, the long-time voice of the Browns and Channel 5 sportscaster, noted:

 

No apologies or excuses have to be extended. The Browns have blown out the Cincinnati Bengals.

 

In the post-game locker room, Marty Schottenheimer addressed the club with these words that every Browns’ fan over 40 can recite by heart:

 

“Talent may win games, but TEAMS win championships.”

Enjoy the playoffs, folks! You think the regular season was intense? Keep the ER on speed dial! Or as Nev noted: “Check your batteries in your pacemakers!”