CLEVELAND -- For two straight years, Cleveland Browns fans have watched the team struggle with issues, both on and off the field, only to enjoy just one victory in their last 29 outings.
While rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer was still in college during the 1-15 season of 2016, the 0-13 start to 2017 has taught him just how passionate Browns fans really are about their football team. And Kizer is anxious to repay that passion with a celebration after a victory.
“They really want to win,” Kizer said. “They deserve to win. Obviously, a city who is a blue-collar, hard-working city, who are obviously very passionate about their Browns, they have been going through some tough times when it comes to our records and our ability to win and win on our home field.”
Defensive back Jason McCourty added, “I think our fans deserve that. This will be our last opportunity to be able to get them a win. I think that this has to ring true for us in this locker room. Obviously, we are playing with everything we have, but if we can try to at least get them one at home before the season, then I think that will be at least a good way to go out for them and keep them encouraged about what we are building here.”
With last Sunday’s 27-21 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium, the Browns dropped to 0-13 for the second consecutive year, something that no one within the organization thought would happen because of the commitment to improvement from the coaches and players during the offseason program, training camp and the preseason.
With their 13th consecutive loss of the season, the Browns dropped to a league-worst 1-28 since the opening game of 2016.
The Browns have not won on a Sunday afternoon since December 13, 2015. The 30 straight Sunday losses are an NFL record, and their 4-46 mark in the last 50 outings is the worst in the league in that four-year span.
Additionally, the Browns’ losing streak currently stands at 356 days, as their last victory came on December 24, 2016.
“When we are winning, we have this whole thing turned around and we get over this hill that we continue to talk about, I am sure these are going to be the better things that this league has ever seen,” Kizer said.
The Browns’ lone win in 2016 came in the home finale against the San Diego Chargers, and after losing 13 straight games to start this season, the players and coaches want their first victory of 2017 to come in Cleveland.
“If we are going to go and get our first win, we would love to get it in front of our home crowd,” Kizer said. “Obviously, the end of the season can go one of two ways. It can create momentum going into next year or you can reset after this year and try to squash and put it behind you.
“As a team, we have made a decision that we want to see momentum into next year. I think a big part of that would be to get a win at home and get the fans going on what this team is going to end up becoming, and once we are over this hill and winning forever, obviously, those fans will be the same guys who have been supporting us and who will continue to.”
