Cleveland Browns: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 09: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball in front of Donte Jackson #26 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 23: Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens looks on during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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The last time the Cleveland Browns reached the NFL playoffs was back in 2002. And it never hurts to put a little perspective on the longest-current playoff drought in the league.

That year was the first season for the Houston Texans. It was the first year of the current eight-division realignment. The Browns’ head coach was Butch Davis and the team’s starting quarterback was still Tim Couch. But he wasn’t available for a Wild Card tilt versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and it was Kelly Holcomb to the rescue.

The young signal-caller would stun Bill Cowher’s team by throwing for 429 yards and three scores (one interception) in a game the Browns would squander a 17-point lead on the way to a 36-33 loss.

Since then, the franchise has posted one winning campaign (10-6 in 2007) over the past 16 seasons. The team comes off a 7-8-1 showing and a third-place finish in the AFC North. It marked the first time since 2010 that the Browns didn’t finish in the divisional basement.

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So can the Browns end 16 seasons of frustration by reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Could new head coach Freddie Kitchens lead the team to its first division title since 1989? First things first and that’s a postseason berth for a franchise starving for a winner.

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