Like previous winning NFL teams they found a way to win with a backup quarterback and a great defense
Deshaun Watson is out for the season, which means the Browns will try to make the playoffs with a backup quarterback. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
1969 Minnesota Vikings
This Vikings team is among the best to never win the Super Bowl.
Their defense was nicknamed the “Purple People Eaters” and became one of the most dominant defensive units the league has ever seen. The Vikings ranked first in fewest passing yards allowed per game (116.5), second in fewest rushing yards per game (77.8), and first in fewest points per game ( 9.5). Domination.
Hall of Famer Carl Eller was tied with the Rams’ Deacon Jones for the most sacks on the season (15.0). Behind the two was Vikings legend Jim Marshall (14.0).
Quarterback Gary Cuozzo started Week 1 and had 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the 24-23 loss to the Giants. But head coach Bud Grant moved on to Joe Kapp to start the rest of the season.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp (11) came in and recorded his only Pro Bowl season while ranking 11th in passing yards (1,726) and seventh in passing touchdowns (19 ).AP
Kapp was originally drafted in the 18th round of the 1959 NFL Draft and spent eight seasons in the Canadian Football League between the Calgary Stampeders and British Columbia Lions. He launched a Canadian Hall of Fame career with multiple All-Star selections and won the CFL Gray Cup in 1964. Kapp signed with Minnesota in 1967 and started 25 games during his first two seasons with the Vikings, throwing 18 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
So how did Kapp begin his tenure as QB1 after Grant benched Cuozzo? Oh, simply throwing for an NFL-record seven touchdowns, along with 449 yards and an interception, in a 52-14 win over the Colts.
Through Kapp’s first seven starts, he averaged 203.5 yards per game.
On the season, the Vikings finished 12-2 and led the league in points per game (27.1). Kapp finished his Pro Bowl season 11th in passing yards (1,726), ninth in completion percentage (50.6%) and seventh in touchdowns (19).
Kapp struggled in the playoffs, completing 35 of 57 pass attempts for 548 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Despite its struggles, the Vikings reached Super Bowl IV, their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
But in the 23-7 loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl IV, Kapp finished the game with 183 yards and two interceptions and the defense allowed 16 unanswered points.
Oakland Raiders 1980
This was a balanced team that excelled in key areas when necessary. Oakland’s defense gave up the fourth-most rushing yards in the league (1,726), but made up for it by allowing the 10th-fewest passing yards (3,312) and leading the league in forced turnovers (52).
They were led by cornerback Lester Hayes, the future Defensive Player of the Year, who recorded 18 interceptions in 19 games, two of which he returned for scores.
At quarterback, after nine seasons with Houston, Dan Pastorini was traded to Oakland and was the projected starter for the 1980 season. In his fifth start, Pastorini broke his leg against Kansas City and was out for the season. Backup Jim Plunkett finished the loss with five interceptions, but remained the QB1 all season. Oakland Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett was promoted to QB1 and finished the season completing 51.56% of his passes for 2,299, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. AP
Plunkett was the first overall pick of the 1971 NFL Draft by New England. He finished the 1973 season second in passing yards (2,550) and led New England to a 7–7 record the following year, its first unbeaten season in seven years.
But he would lose his starting job after suffering a left shoulder injury during the 1975 season, and was eventually traded to San Francisco before the 1976 season. After a brief two-year stint, Plunkett joined Oakland.
Between Weeks 6-16 as the starter, Plunkett completed 53.93% of his passes for 2,043 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and won nine of his 11 starts.
During the playoffs, the Raiders defense held opposing offenses to 56 points in the four games.
Their closest playoff game came in Cleveland versus the 1980 Browns, also known as the Kardiac Kids, when Brian Sipe threw a late-game interception on the infamous “Red Right 88” play.
Plunkett recorded 261 passing yards twice during the postseason. The first was in the AFC Championship game, along with two touchdowns. The second came during his Super Bowl MVP performance in the 27-10 Super Bowl XV victory over the Eagles, completing 61.9 percent of his passes for three touchdowns.

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1999 St. Louis Rams
The Greatest Show on Turf was, as you might imagine, hosted by a backup quarterback. Originally, Trent Green was the projected starting quarterback for the season, but suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason.
This made backup Kurt Warner the team’s starter going forward.
His inspiring story ranges from Green Bay drafting an undrafted Warner out of training camp and ultimately cutting him, to working the night shift at a Hy-Vee supermarket.
After three dominant seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League, and having originally signed a future earnings contract when the 1997 season ended in St. Louis, Warner was given the opportunity to capitalize on the opportunity.
After Trent Green’s season-ending injury, St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (13) took over and produced one of the best offenses the league has ever seen. AP
Warner MVP
season resulted from leading the high-flying offense to a 13–3 record, the franchise’s first winning season since moving from Los Angeles to St. Louis. He finished second in passing yards (4,353), first in touchdowns (41) and first in completion percentage (65.1%).
Inside St. Louis’ nickel defense, they lacked solid pass protection and ranked 20th in passing yards per game (219.3). But their run defense ranked first in fewest rushing yards allowed (74.3), while they ranked fourth in points allowed per game (15.1) and ranked first in pockets (57).
St. Louis had edge Kevin Carter, who led the league in sacks (17.0), earned a Pro Bowl selection and became first-team All-Pro. The Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV winning streak ended with a 23-16 victory over Tennessee in the final, where Warner’s Super Bowl MVP performance included completing 53.33 percent of his passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns.
2000 Baltimore Ravens
If this Browns defense continues to dominate, one of the most relevant comparisons will be to the 2000 Ravens.
Their defense is one of the best the NFL has ever seen. Their league-leading 60.6 rushing yards allowed per game is the third-fewest total ever, behind the 1942 Bears (47.18) and the 1944 Eagles (55.8).
They also led the league with 10.3 points per game, which was the lowest scoring of any team in the 16-game span. Through the air, the Ravens defense finished slightly lower, ranking eighth in passing yards allowed per game (187.3).
Baltimore only allowed five teams to top 10 points between the regular season and postseason combined.
What’s interesting, however, is how the Ravens offense has performed throughout the season.
Although known for his penchant for interceptions, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer stepped up and solidified the offense as a starter for the remainder of the season with 1,502 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tony Banks was the starter for the first half of the season. He won in five of his eight games, but lost his job after several turnovers cost the Ravens a pair of games. The Ravens were not about to let the franchise’s opportunity for the first winning season in its five years of existence slip away.
Then the Ravens promoted backup Trent Dilfer to the starting role.
The former Dilfer joined Baltimore in the offseason after Tampa Bay took him with the sixth overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. Dilfer took Tampa Bay to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years in 1997, where he played one Pro season Bowl, finishing 20th. in passing yards (2,555), sixth in touchdowns (21) and 17th in interceptions (2,555). 11). However, his inconsistent play resulted in a touchdown rate of 59 touchdowns and 69 interceptions during his six seasons with Tampa Bay.
In Baltimore, Dilfer finished the 2000 season with 1,502 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and was backed by an excellent running game averaging 153.5 yards with him as the starter.
Come playoff time, the defense took care of business allowing a total of 23 points in four games and winning Super Bowl XXXV 34-7 over the Giants, forcing five New York turnovers.
Although Dilfer doesn’t get much credit for his Super Bowl efforts, he still kept a strong offense.
Philadelphia Eagles 2017
Before the arrival of current Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Eagles defense had given up the most rushing yards per game (134.6) and the fifth-most passing yards per game (267.1). In two seasons, Schwartz improved the defense to fewest rushing yards per game (79.2) and 17th fewest passing yards per game (227.3).
Offensively, they were led by quarterback Carson Wentz, who played like an MVP candidate. But his season ended when he tore his ACL in a win over the Rams in Week 14 and Nick Foles took over the QB1 job.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) had a strong performance in Super Bowl 52 against the New England Patriots, throwing for 373 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 41- 33. P.A.
Foles was drafted by Philadelphia in 2012 and became a full-time starter after Michael Vick suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 of the 2013 season. A highlight during his previous stint as a starter was throwing for 406 yards and seven touchdowns in the win over the Raiders in Week 9, tying the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game.
After one season with the Rams, he considered retiring, but then-Eagles coach Andy Reid convinced him to join his Chiefs team for the 2016 season. Foles joined Philadelphia the following offseason.
Before Wentz’s injury, Foles had completed just four passes in two games. Foles finished the Week 14 win over the Rams and started the final three games of the regular season. Foles finished the regular season completing 56.44 percent of his passes for 537 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
His mark came during the playoffs, when he showed he could still really swing the ball. During the postseason, Foles completed 72.64 percent of his passes for 971 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. That includes 373 yards, three touchdowns and a pick performance in the 41-33 Super Bowl LII win over New England, which earned him the Super Bowl MVP trophy.
The Cleveland Browns defense has proven week after week that it is among the best in the league. But should they take responsibility for winning games themselves when the offense can’t? John Kuntz, cleveland.com
I am eager to
The 2023 Browns have the pieces needed to end up on this list.
the offensive is progressing.
season resulted from leading the high-flying offense to a 13–3 record, the franchise’s first winning season since moving from Los Angeles to St. Louis. He finished second in passing yards (4,353), first in touchdowns (41) and first in completion percentage (65.1%).
Inside St. Louis’ nickel defense, they lacked solid pass protection and ranked 20th in passing yards per game (219.3). But their run defense ranked first in fewest rushing yards allowed (74.3), while they ranked fourth in points allowed per game (15.1) and ranked first in pockets (57).
St. Louis had edge Kevin Carter, who led the league in sacks (17.0), earned a Pro Bowl selection and became first-team All-Pro. The Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV winning streak ended with a 23-16 victory over Tennessee in the final, where Warner’s Super Bowl MVP performance included completing 53.33 percent of his passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns.
2000 Baltimore Ravens
If this Browns defense continues to dominate, one of the most relevant comparisons will be to the 2000 Ravens.
Their defense is one of the best the NFL has ever seen. Their league-leading 60.6 rushing yards allowed per game is the third-fewest total ever, behind the 1942 Bears (47.18) and the 1944 Eagles (55.8).
They also led the league with 10.3 points per game, which was the lowest scoring of any team in the 16-game span. Through the air, the Ravens defense finished slightly lower, ranking eighth in passing yards allowed per game (187.3).
Baltimore only allowed five teams to top 10 points between the regular season and postseason combined.
What’s interesting, however, is how the Ravens offense has performed throughout the season.
Although known for his penchant for interceptions, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer stepped up and solidified the offense as a starter for the remainder of the season with 1,502 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tony Banks was the starter for the first half of the season. He won in five of his eight games, but lost his job after several turnovers cost the Ravens a pair of games. The Ravens were not about to let the franchise’s opportunity for the first winning season in its five years of existence slip away.
Then the Ravens promoted backup Trent Dilfer to the starting role.
The former Dilfer joined Baltimore in the offseason after Tampa Bay took him with the sixth overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. Dilfer took Tampa Bay to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years in 1997, where he played one Pro season Bowl, finishing 20th. in passing yards (2,555), sixth in touchdowns (21) and 17th in interceptions (2,555). 11). However, his inconsistent play resulted in a touchdown rate of 59 touchdowns and 69 interceptions during his six seasons with Tampa Bay.
In Baltimore, Dilfer finished the 2000 season with 1,502 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and was backed by an excellent running game averaging 153.5 yards with him as the starter.
Come playoff time, the defense took care of business allowing a total of 23 points in four games and winning Super Bowl XXXV 34-7 over the Giants, forcing five New York turnovers.
Although Dilfer doesn’t get much credit for his Super Bowl efforts, he still kept a strong offense.
Philadelphia Eagles 2017
Before the arrival of current Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Eagles defense had given up the most rushing yards per game (134.6) and the fifth-most passing yards per game (267.1). In two seasons, Schwartz improved the defense to fewest rushing yards per game (79.2) and 17th fewest passing yards per game (227.3).
Offensively, they were led by quarterback Carson Wentz, who played like an MVP candidate. But his season ended when he tore his ACL in a win over the Rams in Week 14 and Nick Foles took over the QB1 job.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) had a strong performance in Super Bowl 52 against the New England Patriots, throwing for 373 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 41- 33. P.A.
Foles was drafted by Philadelphia in 2012 and became a full-time starter after Michael Vick suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 of the 2013 season. A highlight during his previous stint as a starter was throwing for 406 yards and seven touchdowns in the win over the Raiders in Week 9, tying the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game.
After one season with the Rams, he considered retiring, but then-Eagles coach Andy Reid convinced him to join his Chiefs team for the 2016 season. Foles joined Philadelphia the following offseason.
Before Wentz’s injury, Foles had completed just four passes in two games. Foles finished the Week 14 win over the Rams and started the final three games of the regular season. Foles finished the regular season completing 56.44 percent of his passes for 537 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
His mark came during the playoffs, when he showed he could still really swing the ball. During the postseason, Foles completed 72.64 percent of his passes for 971 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. That includes 373 yards, three touchdowns and a pick performance in the 41-33 Super Bowl LII win over New England, which earned him the Super Bowl MVP trophy.
The Cleveland Browns defense has proven week after week that it is among the best in the league. But should they take responsibility for winning games themselves when the offense can’t? John Kuntz, cleveland.com
I am eager to
The 2023 Browns have the pieces needed to end up on this list.
the offensive is progressing.
Their defensive unit is resilient and shows no signs of slowing down. They currently rank sixth in fewest points allowed per game (18.0), first in fewest passing yards allowed per game (143.7), and 11th in fewest rushing yards allowed per game per match (99.6).
The offense hasn’t reached its potential ceiling yet, as they rank 13th in points per game (22.7) and 26th in passing yards per game (183.1). Regardless of who is in the pocket, the run game has been the bread and butter when needed, ranking third in rushing yards per game (142.7).
It’s up to whoever the starting quarterback is, along with Kevin Stefanski and his coaches, to keep turnovers down and move the offense forward.
