Browns’ fumble in AFC Divisional playoff game has eerie similarities to ‘The Fumble’ that happened 33 years ago to the day

Browns’ fumble in AFC Divisional playoff game has eerie similarities to ‘The Fumble’ that happened 33 years ago to the day
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) fumbles the ball over Kansas City Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen at the goal line during the first half of an NFL divisional round football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (Source: Orlin Wagner)
By Rachel Vadaj | January 17, 2021 at 10:10 PM EST - Updated January 17 at 10:48 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - This was a déjà vu moment the Browns did not want to have...

There was 1:34 left in the first half of the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs with the Kansas City Chiefs leading 16-3.

Browns WR Rashad Higgins was just inches away from a touchdown when it was fumbled to the endzone, resulting in a touchback.

This fumble was one of multiple reasons the Browns fell to the Chiefs 22-17.

ESPN went on to point out how history repeated itself from “The Fumble” to this fumble.

If you’re not up to speed on the list of Cleveland Curses that cost our teams big games, “The Fumble” was by Browns RB Earnest Byner with 1:12 left in the 1987 season AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos in Colorado.

Spoiler alert: the Browns lost 38-33.

** FILE ** Cleveland Browns running back Earnest Byner (44) is comforted by teammate Brian Brennan (86) after Byner fumbled in the closing minutes of the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos in this Jan. 17, 1988 file photo in Denver. The fumble, recovered by Denver, stopped a tying touchdown drive and added another chapter to the "Cleveland Curse". (AP photo/Mark Duncan)
** FILE ** Cleveland Browns running back Earnest Byner (44) is comforted by teammate Brian Brennan (86) after Byner fumbled in the closing minutes of the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos in this Jan. 17, 1988 file photo in Denver. The fumble, recovered by Denver, stopped a tying touchdown drive and added another chapter to the "Cleveland Curse". (AP photo/Mark Duncan) (Source: Mark Duncan)

So what are these eerie similarities?

“The Fumble” happened in a playoff game.

This fumble happened in a playoff game.

“The Fumble” happened on Jan. 17, 1988.

This fumble happened on Jan. 17, 2021.

“The Fumble” happened on the road.

This fumble happened on the road.

“The Fumble” happened on the opponent’s 1-yard line.

This fumble happened on the opponent’s 1-yard line.

“The Fumble” in part caused the Browns to lose by five points.

This fumble in part caused the Browns to lose by five points.

Call it crazy or call it a coincidence, but the facts speak for themselves.

[ Cleveland Browns fall to Chiefs in Kansas City 22-17 in Divisional Round of NFL Playoffs ]

[ ‘We’re not done yet:’ Browns ‘extremely disappointed’ but ready for next season after 22-17 fall to Chiefs in Divisional Round ]

[ ‘Nobody on our team is headhunting:’ Browns defend teammate after hit causes Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes to leave game ]

[ Browns’ Kareem Hunt embraces his former head coach after Cleveland falls to Chiefs in AFC Divisional Round ]

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