The Browns were among 8 teams that qualified for the playoffs during this strike shorted season, and became one of only four teams to ever qualify for the playoffs despite having a losing record.[1][2][3] Browns and the Detroit Lions from the same year are the only two teams with a losing record to qualify as wildcards. In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks became the third team with a losing record to qualify for the playoffs and the first team to win a division title with a losing record (however, the Seahawks were the first to accomplish the former in a non-strike shortened season), followed by the Carolina Panthers four years later.[2] In 1982, the Los Angeles Raiders eliminated the Browns from the playoffs for a second consecutive season, 27–10.
The Browns' first round draft pick, rookie sensation linebacker Chip Banks earned 6.5 sacks in just nine games.
^ abMiami finished ahead of Cincinnati based on better conference record (6–1 to Cincinnati’s 6–2).
^ abPittsburgh finished ahead of San Diego based on better record against common opponents (3–1 to Chargers' 2–1). Conference tiebreak was initially used to eliminate New York Jets.
^ abc Pittsburgh and San Diego finished ahead of New York Jets based on conference record (Pittsburgh and San Diego 5–3 against Jets’ 2–3)
^ abcCleveland finished ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo ahead of Seattle based on conference record (4–3 to Buffalo’s 3–3 to Seattle’s 3–5).