NFL Power Rankings: The Greatest Plays Of All-Time

#11:  The Fumble

No fan base in pro football history has been absolutely devastated more often by singular plays than the Cleveland Browns.  Never was that clearer than in the 1980s.  Red Right 88, covered earlier in this countdown, got things started but little did those poor people know the worst was still to come.

In 1987, the Browns were on the heels of another tough playoff loss, this time to the Denver Broncos who stole the AFC championship thanks largely to a 98-yard drive executed by quarterback John Elway late in the 4th quarter.  Cleveland lost in overtime.  So the next season they were out for revenge.

They got their wish when news came down they were going to Denver for a rematch in the AFC title game.  This time though it appeared things weren’t going to go their way.    The Broncos took control right from the start and opened a commanding 21-3 lead at the half.  Nobody had any reason to believe the Browns could come back.  However, their own quarterback Bernie Kosar had other ideas.  Aided by running back Ernest Byner, who had a huge afternoon, Cleveland clawed their way back into the game.

Late in the game Denver managed to pull ahead after surrendering their lead 31-31.  The touchdown put them back in front but the Browns didn’t waste much time driving down the field.

At the 1:12 mark they were eight yards from the end zone.  Byner, who had amassed 187 total yards and two touchdowns to that point, took the hand off.  Bouncing to the outside it looked like he had a clear lane to score.

Right before cross the goal line, cornerback Jeremiah Castille dove in and got hold of Byner’s left arm.  The running back never saw him, and thus wasn’t prepared.  The ball squirted free of his grasp and Denver recovered.

The Broncos had once again pried victory away from the Browns and Byner would be forced to endure the ridicule for the game that would forever be known as “the Fumble.”

Next: #10