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1980 AFC Playoffs Raiders 14 at Browns 12
A classic. The "Kardiac Kids" lose a heartbreaker in a -37 degree wind-chill when Brian Sipe, poised to win the game at the Oakland 15 yard line with less than a minute to play, throws his infamous "Red Right 88" interception in the endzone to seal it for Oakland. You could hear a pin drop in Cleveland Municiple Stadium after the pick.
Kicker Don Cockroft puts on a pitiful display for Cleveland, missing 2 FGs and a PAT, perhaps prompting Sipe's ill-fated pass from within chip-shot FG range. I remember watching this game at my aunt's house with my Browns-loving older brother. As a Steelers young fan, 1980 was a very difficult season for me and I was absolutely gleeful when Cleveland lost, even though I also hated the Raiders.
In hindsight, I can't help but feel a little sorry for the Brownies... after all, the '94 AFC Championship game is still remarkably fresh in MY mind, even after 25 years. What a horrible feeling! That '80 Browns team was something special and was probably Cleveland's best shot at winning a Super Bowl. Video includes nearly 40 minutes of pregame material.
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1980 AFC Divisional Playoffs Raiders at Browns (Jan 4, 1981)
