Browns Digest

Browns vs. 49ers Gameday: It's Been 39 Years Since San Francisco Has Won in Cleveland

Believe it or not, the last time that the 49ers traveled across the country to beat the Cleveland Browns was in 1984.

Anthony Moeglin

In this story:

Truth be told, there are not many historical stats that favor the Cleveland Browns. This fan base is so used to the crazy stats that are negative, but for once, Browns fans have an upper hand.

1984 was the last time that San Francisco won in Cleveland. Sure they only play in Cleveland once every eight years but that doesn't matter. 

What does matter is that the last time San Francisco won in Cleveland all of these things were true:

  • The first Macintosh computer was released
  • Bruce Springsteen released "Born in the USA"
  • A movie ticket was $2.50
  • LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio
  • Ghostbusters was the number 1 movie at the box office

A lot has changed since then, but will the same tune ring true in Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday?

If these teams were both at full strength, the Browns would be underdogs. 

This iteration of the Cleveland Browns are bruised and battered. They are down their starters at right guard, right tackle, running back and quarterback. I would say that those are three of the top five most important positions on a football team.

It's not all doom and gloom on the lakefront. The Browns have the best defense in all of the NFL and that’s not up for debate right now. They have stars at every level and they are very hard to beat.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and safety Grant Delpit (22) celebrate a stop in the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. The Browns led 10-0 at halftime.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and safety Grant Delpit (22) celebrate a stop in the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. The Browns led 10-0 at halftime :: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

At their best, the receiving corp is a top-15 group in the league that can pop off at any time. Led by Amari Cooper, you must stay on task against them because they will make you pay.

If they are able to play a perfect game Sunday, can the Browns extend this win streak to 40+ years? 

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Anthony Moeglin
ANTHONY MOEGLIN

Anthony Moeglin is a northeast Ohio native, who most notably quarterbacked John Carroll University to the NCAA DIII National Semifinals in 2016 after beating the No. 1 team in the country twice in a 4-week stretch. He contributes written and video/podcast content for Browns Digest, as well as serving as the lead football analyst for BuckeyesNow on the FanNation network.

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