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Revision as of 17:01, 28 November 2020

2016 Cleveland Browns season
OwnerJimmy Haslam
General managerSashi Brown[1]
Head coachHue Jackson
Home fieldFirstEnergy Stadium
Local radioWKNR · WKRK-FM · WNCX
Results
Record1–15
Division place4th AFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersJoe Thomas, OT

The 2016 season was the Cleveland Browns' 64th in the National Football League, their 68th overall, and their first under head coach Hue Jackson and de facto general manager Sashi Brown. The Browns failed to improve upon their 3–13 record from their previous season, finishing 1–15, their worst record in franchise history at the time. The Browns failed to make the playoffs for a franchise record 14th straight season and had a franchise record ninth straight season with a losing record.

Despite the team's performance, offensive tackle Joe Thomas became the fifth player in league history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons.[citation needed]

Offseason

Front office changes

On January 3, just hours after the Browns' final game of the 2015 season, the team fired general manager Ray Farmer, who had been the general manager the past two seasons.[2] Team owner Jimmy Haslam also announced that the team's general counsel Sashi Brown would become the team's vice president of football operations.[3]

On January 5, the Browns hired former New York Mets executive Paul DePodesta to be their chief strategy officer. DePodesta brings over 20 years of experience in the Major League Baseball front offices, but has never held an executive position in the NFL before this.[4]

On March 4, the Browns announced the resignation of team president Alec Scheiner, effective March 31.[5]

Coaching changes

On January 3, the Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine. In two seasons with the Browns, Pettine had a record of 10–22, but went just 4–19 after a 6–3 start to the 2014 season.[2]

On January 13, the Browns hired former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson as head coach. Jackson was the Bengals' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2011, in which they posted an 8–8 record.[6]

Roster changes

Robert Griffin III at Browns training camp

Free agents

Pos Player Tag 2016 Team Signed
SS Johnson Bademosi UFA Detroit Lions March 10[7]
WR Travis Benjamin UFA San Diego Chargers March 9[8]
ILB Tank Carder UFA Cleveland Browns March 7[9]
K Travis Coons ERFA Cleveland Browns April 4[10]
QB Pat Devlin RFA
FS Tashaun Gipson UFA Jacksonville Jaguars March 9[11]
WR Darius Jennings ERFA Cleveland Browns April 6[12]
OLB Cam Johnson ERFA Cleveland Browns
FS Don Jones UFA Cleveland Browns March 17[13]
C Alex Mack UFA Atlanta Falcons March 9[14]
DE Jamie Meder ERFA Cleveland Browns March 7[9]
T Darrian Miller ERFA
RB Raheem Mostert ERFA Cleveland Browns March 7[9]
G Austin Pasztor RFA Cleveland Browns April 4[15]
WR Terrelle Pryor UFA Cleveland Browns March 17[13]
LB Craig Robertson UFA New Orleans Saints March 22[16]
T Mitchell Schwartz UFA Kansas City Chiefs March 9[17]
ILB Scott Solomon RFA

Releases

Pos Player Released 2016 Team Signed
WR Dwayne Bowe March 16[18]
LB Karlos Dansby March 16[19] Cincinnati Bengals March 29[20]
QB Johnny Manziel March 11[21]
SS Donte Whitner April 2[22] Washington Redskins October 5
WR Brian Hartline May 23

Signings

Pos Player 2015 Team Signed
G Alvin Bailey Seattle Seahawks March 11[23]
LB Demario Davis New York Jets March 16[24]
QB Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins March 24[25]
S Rahim Moore Houston Texans March 16[26]
LB Justin Tuggle Houston Texans March 11[23]

2016 Draft Class

Main article: 2016 NFL draft
2016 Cleveland Browns Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 15 Corey Coleman WR Baylor
2 32 Emmanuel Ogbah DE Oklahoma State
3 65 Carl Nassib DE Penn State
76 Shon Coleman T Auburn
93 Cody Kessler QB USC
4 99 Joe Schobert OLB Wisconsin
114 Ricardo Louis WR Auburn
129 Derrick Kindred FS TCU
138^ Seth DeValve TE Princeton
5 154 Jordan Payton WR UCLA
168 Spencer Drango T Baylor
172^ Rashard Higgins WR Colorado State
173^ Trey Caldwell CB Louisiana–Monroe
7 250 Scooby Wright III ILB Arizona

Notes

  • The Browns traded their original 1st round selection (No. 2) to the Philadelphia Eagles for the Eagles' 1st (8), 3rd (77), and 4th (100) round selections, as well as the Eagles' 1st round selection in 2017 and 2nd round selection in 2018.
  • The Browns would then trade the No. 8 and its 6th round (176) selection to the Tennessee Titans for their 1st (15) and 3rd (76) round selections and a 2nd round selection in 2017.
  • The Browns traded their 3rd (No. 77) and 5th (141) round selections to the Carolina Panthers for their 3rd (93), 4th (129), and 5th (168) round selections.
  • The Browns traded their 4th round selection (No. 100) to the Oakland Raiders for their 4th (114) and 5th (154) round selections.
  • The Browns traded their 7th round selection (No. 223) to the Miami Dolphins for their 7th round selection (250) and CB Jamar Taylor.
  • ^As the result of a negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Browns experienced during the 2015 free agency period, the team received three compensatory selections for the 2016 draft:[27] selection 138 in the fourth round, and selections 172 and 173 in the fifth round. Free agent transactions that occurred after May 12, 2015 did not impact the team's formula for determining compensatory selections for the 2016 draft.[28]

Josh Gordon's reinstatement and rehab

On April 1, wide receiver Josh Gordon applied for reinstatement following an indefinite suspension by the NFL due to repeated violations of the league's substance abuse policy, causing him to miss the entire 2015 season. On April 11, it was revealed that Gordon had failed another drug test, and on April 12, the league announced that Gordon's appeal had been denied. He was eligible to reapply on August 1.

On July 25, the NFL announced that Gordon would be reinstated on a conditional basis, and can stay with the team during a four-game ban to begin the season.

Staff

2016 Cleveland Browns staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Director, High Performance – Adam Beard
  • Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Evan Marcus
  • Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Jason Veltkamp
  • Assistant Strength/Skill Development – Joe Kim
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Derik Keyes
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Art Tolhurst
  • Sports Scientist – Jamey Mroz
  • Strength and Conditioning Intern – Ian Jones


Final roster

2016 Cleveland Browns roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 15 reserve, 10 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 12 at Green Bay Packers L 11–17 0–1 Lambeau Field Recap
2 August 18 Atlanta Falcons L 13–24 0–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 August 26 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–30 0–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap
4 September 1 Chicago Bears L 7–21 0–4 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 11 at Philadelphia Eagles L 10–29 0–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
2 September 18 Baltimore Ravens L 20–25 0–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 September 25 at Miami Dolphins L 24–30 (OT) 0–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
4 October 2 at Washington Redskins L 20–31 0–4 FedExField Recap
5 October 9 New England Patriots L 13–33 0–5 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
6 October 16 at Tennessee Titans L 26–28 0–6 Nissan Stadium Recap
7 October 23 at Cincinnati Bengals L 17–31 0–7 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
8 October 30 New York Jets L 28–31 0–8 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
9 November 6 Dallas Cowboys L 10–35 0–9 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
10 November 10 at Baltimore Ravens L 7–28 0–10 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
11 November 20 Pittsburgh Steelers L 9–24 0–11 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
12 November 27 New York Giants L 13–27 0–12 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
13 Bye
14 December 11 Cincinnati Bengals L 10–23 0–13 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
15 December 18 at Buffalo Bills L 13–33 0–14 New Era Field Recap
16 December 24 San Diego Chargers W 20–17 1–14 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
17 January 1 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 24–27 (OT) 1–15 Heinz Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week One: Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 3010
Eagles 7 6 9729

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

The Browns opened their 2016 regular season with a road game against the Philadelphia Eagles and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, whom the Browns had passed up in the 2016 draft. The Eagles won 29–10 and with the loss, the Browns started the season 0–1. This would be their 12th straight regular season opening loss.

Week 2: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Two: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Ravens 2 10 7625
Browns 20 0 0020

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

The Browns scored on their first three drives and led 20–2 early in the first quarter. The 18 point lead at the end of the first quarter was the Browns' largest lead after the 1st quarter since 1960. However, the Browns' offense stalled the rest of the game. The Ravens would score the final 23 points of the game to win 25–20. The Browns had a chance to score a go ahead touchdown on a drive with less than a minute to play, but things went wrong after a controversial taunting penalty was called on Pryor following his catch at the Ravens' 10-yard line with under 30 seconds to play. McCown would throw an interception on the next play to seal the loss.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–2.

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins

Week Three: Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Browns 0 13 011024
Dolphins 7 3 77630

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Cody Kessler made his debut as the Browns' starting quarterback. The Browns led 13–10 at halftime. However, the Dolphins scored two consecutive touchdowns to go up 24–13 early in the fourth quarter. The Browns, sparked by Pryor, rallied to tie the game. The Dolphins attempted a game-winning drive in the final minute of regulation. However, Dolphins QB, Ryan Tannehill, fumbled the ball, and the Browns secured possession. The Browns had a chance to win it at the end of regulation. However, recently signed Browns kicker, Cody Parkey, missed the 46-yard field goal, sending the game to overtime. It was his third miss of the day. Both teams traded punts on their opening possession in overtime. On their second possession, the Dolphins, who got the ball around midfield to start the drive, reached the endzone after a few plays and won the game.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–3.

Week 4: at Washington Redskins

Week Four: Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 17 3020
Redskins 14 3 01431

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

The Browns came to Washington for a matchup against the Redskins. The Browns had a 20–17 lead going into the fourth quarter but the offense once again stalled with a Josh Norman interception and two touchdowns by the Redskins' offense would win the game for the Redskins.

With the loss, the Browns started their season 0–4 for the first time since 2012. Wins by the Jaguars, Bears, and Saints would make the Browns the only team in the NFL without a victory through Week 4.

Week 5: vs. New England Patriots

Week Five: New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 16 7 7333
Browns 7 0 0613

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With Tom Brady back from his four-game suspension due to his alleged role in Deflategate, the Browns hosted the Patriots. The game turned out to be a disaster for the Browns as Brady and the Pats destroyed the Browns defense.

The loss dropped the Browns to 0–5.

Week 6: at Tennessee Titans

Week Six: Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 6 7 01326
Titans 7 7 7728

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 0–6 and became the first NFL team to start 0–6 since the Oakland Raiders in 2014. It was the Browns' first 0–6 start since the 1999 season.

Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Seven: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 10 7017
Bengals 7 14 10031

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

With their fourth straight loss to the Bengals, the Browns started 0–7 for the first time since 1999.

Week 8: vs. New York Jets

Week Eight: New York Jets at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 7 141031
Browns 10 10 0828

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), rain
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Hoping to stop a 10-game losing streak dating back to last year, the Browns hosted the Jets in an AFC duel. The Browns led 20–7 at halftime. However, they gave up 24 unanswered points to fall behind 31–20 in the 4th quarter. They also committed two turnovers in the 4th quarter. The Browns scored late in the 4th quarter to cut the deficit to 31–28, but a comeback could not be secured as the Jets secured the onside kick, ran out the clock, and dropped the Browns to 0–8. It was only their second 0–8 start in franchise history and the first 0–8 start since the 1975 season. With the loss, the Browns failed to have a winning record for the ninth consecutive season. They also tied a franchise record (first set in between the 2011 and 2012 seasons) for most consecutive losses (11) in franchise history. They would also be the first team to start 0–8 since the 2014 Raiders.

Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week Nine: Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 14 14035
Browns 3 7 0010

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

Attempting to stop their 11-game losing streak, the Cleveland Browns hosted the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys routed the Browns 35–10.

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 0–9 for the first time since 1975 and clinched their ninth consecutive losing season. They also lost their 12th consecutive game, setting a new franchise record for most consecutive losses.

Week 10: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Ten: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 007
Ravens 0 6 15728

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Trying to halt their 12-game losing streak that had started back during the 2015 NFL season, the Browns traveled to Baltimore to play against the Baltimore Ravens who beat them in Week 2. This was the Browns' only prime time game this year. The Browns led 7–6 at halftime, but the Ravens dominated the second half, outscoring them 22–0 and winning 28–7. The seven points scored by the Browns represented their fewest points scored in a game this season.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–10. It was their worst start in franchise history. They are also the first team to begin the season 0–10 since the 2014 Oakland Raiders. The Browns' overall NFL record fell to 461–461–10, marking the first time in franchise history they did not have a record above .500.

Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Eleven: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 11 3724
Browns 0 0 369

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were coming off a loss against the Cowboys. The Steelers defeated the Browns 24–9, dropping the Browns to 0–11. With the loss, the Browns were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention for the 14th consecutive season. For the second consecutive season, they were the first NFL team to be mathematically eliminated from contention. The Browns have now gone 24 consecutive seasons without winning a division title, extending the longest active streak in the NFL. They also extended their current franchise record for most consecutive games lost to 14 games. The team is also the first team to start 0–11 since the 2011 Indianapolis Colts.

Week 12: vs. New York Giants

Week Twelve: New York Giants at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 14 01327
Browns 0 6 0713

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

The Browns took on the Giants who were on a five-game winning streak and were coming off their 22–16 win over the Bears, but the Browns suffered their 12th straight loss this season due to three touchdown passes by Eli Manning to Odell Beckham Jr. and a fumble return by Jason Pierre-Paul for a touchdown.

With the loss, the Browns went into their bye week at 0–12. They would be the first team to start with such a record since the 2011 Colts.

Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Fourteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 13 7 0323
Browns 0 0 7310

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C), snow
  • Game attendance: 60,028
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Coming off their bye week, the Browns hosted the Bengals in a rematch of Week 7. The Bengals jumped out to a 20–0 halftime lead and never looked back, handing Cleveland a 23–10 loss.

With the loss, Cleveland became the eighth team since 1960 to start a season 0–13, and the first since the 2011 Indianapolis Colts. They became the first franchise to lose 16 in a row since the Oakland Raiders did it during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Week 15: at Buffalo Bills

Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 10013
Bills 10 7 7933

at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 66,529
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns headed to Buffalo to try to collect their first win of the season, but the Bills routed the Browns 33–13. With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–14 and became the first team to lose 17 consecutive regular season games since the St. Louis Rams in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The Browns also became the fourth team to start a season 0–14, joining the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1980 New Orleans Saints, and the 2008 Detroit Lions. The Browns also tied their franchise record for total losses in a single season. The Browns also became the first team since the 2013 Houston Texans to have 14 straight losses in a single season.

On December 21, OT Joe Thomas was voted to his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl. Thomas now holds the Browns record for most Pro Bowls, passing Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Lou Groza, who each have nine. Thomas joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Merlin Olsen (14), Mel Renfro (10), Barry Sanders (10) and Lawrence Taylor (10) as the only players in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl in each of their first 10 seasons. Thomas' streak of 10 consecutive Pro Bowls was the longest active streak in the NFL.[29]

Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week Sixteen: San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 10 0 7017
Browns 7 10 3020

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,272
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In their final home game of the year, the Browns hosted the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve afternoon, looking to get their first win. The contest was competitive throughout the afternoon. The Chargers had a game-tying field goal attempt blocked by Jamie Meder with just under 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. After the Browns punted, the Chargers drove down the field and reached the Browns’ 27-yard line in the final seconds. However, the Chargers had no timeouts remaining and had to rush the field goal unit out in the final seconds. Kicker Josh Lambo missed the potential game-tying field goal as time expired, allowing the Browns to pick up their first win of the season.

With the win, the Browns improved to 1–14 and ended their 17-game losing streak. The Browns finished the season 1–7 at home. This was the first and only time this season that the Browns allowed fewer than 23 points in a single game. After this game, the Browns would have a 19-game winless streak and would not win again until week 3 of the 2018 season.

Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Seventeen: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Browns 7 7 07324
Steelers 0 7 014627

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: January 1, 2017
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 55,921
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Browns entered this game looking to win consecutive games for the first time since they won three in a row during Weeks 8 to 10 of the 2014 season. The Steelers entered the game locked into the AFC’s #3 seed and rested most of their starters. However, the Browns would still fall to the Steelers, losing 27–24 in an overtime affair. With the loss, the Browns finished the season with a 1–15 record, their worst record in franchise history. The Browns also became the tenth team in NFL history, but the first since the 2009 Rams, to finish 1–15. They failed to win a division game for the first time since the 2011 season and extended their losing streak within the division to 11 games. The Browns also failed to win a road game in a season for only the second time in franchise history and the first since the 1975 season. They also extended their road losing streak to 13 games and failed to win a road game against the Steelers for the 13th consecutive season. The Browns finished with the worst record in the NFL and secured the #1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. This marked the beginning of a 17 game losing streak continuing through the 2017 season and ending with a tie in Week 1 of the 2018 season.

Standings

Division

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 399 327 W7
Baltimore Ravens 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 343 321 L2
Cincinnati Bengals 6 9 1 .406 3–3 5–7 325 315 W1
Cleveland Browns 1 15 0 .063 0–6 1–11 264 452 L1

Conference

AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 New England Patriots East 14 2 0 .875 5–1 11–1 .439 .424 W7
2[a] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 4 0 .750 6–0 9–3 .508 .479 W2
3 Pittsburgh Steelers North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .494 .423 W7
4[b] Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .502 .427 L1
Wild Cards
5[a] Oakland Raiders West 12 4 0 .750 3–3 9–3 .504 .443 L1
6 Miami Dolphins East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 .455 .341 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[b][c] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 .465 .458 W1
8[c] Denver Broncos West 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 .549 .455 W1
9[d] Baltimore Ravens North 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .498 .363 L2
10[d] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 3–3 5–7 .492 .406 W1
11 Buffalo Bills East 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 .482 .339 L2
12 Cincinnati Bengals North 6 9 1 .406 3–3 5–7 .521 .333 W1
13[e] New York Jets East 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .518 .313 W1
14[e] San Diego Chargers West 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .543 .513 L5
15 Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 13 0 .188 2–4 2–10 .527 .417 L1
16 Cleveland Browns North 1 15 0 .063 0–6 1–11 .549 .313 L1
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ a b Kansas City clinched the AFC West division over Oakland based on head-to-head sweep.
  2. ^ a b Houston clinched the AFC South division title over Tennessee based on record vs. division opponents.
  3. ^ a b Tennessee finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head victory.
  4. ^ a b Baltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on record vs. conference opponents.
  5. ^ a b The New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based record vs. common opponents — the Jets' cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis,
    Kansas City and Miami was 1–4, while San Diego's cumulative record against the same four teams was 0–5.
  6. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References

  1. ^ Brown is the de facto general manager. His official title is "Executive Vice President, Football Operations"
  2. ^ a b "Browns fire Mike Pettine, Ray Farmer". ESPN. January 3, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  3. ^ Jackson, Zac (January 3, 2016). "Haslam gives Sashi Brown roster control, denies Marrone interview scheduled". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  4. ^ "Paul DePodesta named Browns Chief Strategy Officer". ClevelandBrowns.com. January 5, 2016. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  5. ^ ESPN (March 23, 2016). "Cleveland Browns Transactions - 2016". ESPN. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  6. ^ Wesseling, Chris (January 13, 2016). "Cleveland Browns hire Hue Jackson as head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  7. ^ Birkett, Dave (March 10, 2016). "Detroit Lions add special teams ace in Cleveland Browns DB Johnson Bademosi". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  8. ^ Williams, Eric (March 9, 2016). "Chargers reach deals with WR Travis Benjamin, TE Antonio Gates". ESPN. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  9. ^ a b c "Browns re-sign LB Tank Carder; sign DL Jamie Meder, RB Raheem Mostert". ClevelandBrowns.com. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  10. ^ "Browns' Travis Coons: Re-signs with Browns". CBS Sports. April 4, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  11. ^ McManamon, Pat (March 9, 2016). "Jaguars add safety Tashaun Gipson for 5 years, $35.5M, source says". ESPN. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  12. ^ "Browns sign restricted free agents and exclusive rights players". ClevelandBrowns.com. April 4, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  13. ^ a b ESPN (March 17, 2016). "Cleveland Browns Transactions - 2016". ESPN. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  14. ^ McClure, Vaughn (March 9, 2016). "Falcons address one big need with center Alex Mack". ESPN. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  15. ^ ClevelandBrowns.com (April 4, 2016). "Browns sign restricted free agents and exclusive rights players". Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  16. ^ Doe, John (March 22, 2016). "Saints, LB Craig Robertson reach 3-year deal". ESPN. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  17. ^ McManamon, Pat (March 9, 2016). "OT Mitchell Schwartz leaving Browns for Chiefs". ESPN. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  18. ^ Sessler, Mark (March 16, 2016). "Cleveland Browns release receiver Dwayne Bowe". NFL.com. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  19. ^ Wesseling, Chris (March 16, 2016). "Karlos Dansby released by Cleveland Browns". NFL.com. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  20. ^ Marcum, Jason (March 29, 2016). ""Bengals sign Karlos Dansby; Brandon LaFell still in play"". SB Nation. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  21. ^ McManamon, Pat (March 11, 2016). "Johnny Manziel Waived by Browns". ESPN. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  22. ^ Reilly, Steve (April 5, 2016). ""Browns release veteran starting safety Donte Whitner"". The Duncan Independent. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  23. ^ a b ESPN (March 16, 2016). "Cleveland Browns Transactions - 2016". ESPN. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  24. ^ Chris Pokorny (March 16, 2016). "Browns Reportedly Sign ILB Demario Davis, Who Could Start for Ray Horton". Dawgs By Nature. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  25. ^ Schwab, Frank (March 24, 2016). "Robert Griffin III signs with the Cleveland Browns". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  26. ^ "Browns sign Rahim Moore, former Texans safety, to 1 year deal". Cleveland.com. March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  27. ^ "Over The Cap".
  28. ^ Florio, Mike (March 31, 2015). "June 1 free-agency deadline moved to May 12". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  29. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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