In 2007, Cleveland sports reached an interesting crossroads: the possibility of all 3 major franchises (Cavaliers, Indians, and Browns) reaching the playoffs in a cycle of consecutive calendar seasons. Sadly, the Browns were a "force out" rule away from an 11-5 record and a playoff berth--if enforced correctly, the Browns would have scored a game-winning touchdown on the final play of their game against the Arizona Cardinals. In part because of the controversial nature of this play, the NFL voted to remove this rule permanently after the season. As a result, the last (and only) cycle of big 3 Cleveland playoff berths was 1994-1995 (1994 Browns, 1994-1995 Cavs, 1995 Indians). (Of course, the 1994 MLB strike prevented this cycle from starting earlier, as the 1994 Indians were locked in a competitive race with the Chicago White Sox when the strike started after the injury-depleted 1993-1994 Cavs fell in the playoffs at the hands of the Scottie Pippen-led Chicago Bulls without the temporarily retired Michael Jordan.)
In 2016, the Cavs ended the 52-year championship drought of the 3 major franchises, winning their 1st NBA championship. The Indians nearly followed up with an MLB championship, losing a thrilling Game 7 to the longer-suffering Chicago Cubs (so much else to remember from then, as well--including Rajai Davis's thrilling game-tying home run, something about a drone accident, and the untimely Game 7 rain delay). To balance things out, the Browns experienced a minor Christmas miracle on Christmas Eve en route to their only win of the season, finishing at 1-15 (only to follow up with a 4-0 preseason and a 0-16 regular season in 2017).
Enter 2020-2021. The Cavs are in rebuilding mode, failing to qualify for the NBA bubble last summer. While they are expected to fall short of the playoffs again this year, they put together a nice 3-0 start to this season, sitting at 3-1 heading into this afternoon's New Year's Eve matinee vs. the Indiana Pacers. The Indians--who will be changing their franchise name after 2021, finished 35-25 in their COVID-19 shortened season. Earning a wild card berth with home field advantage, they fell at the hands of the storied New York Yankees franchise. Now, the Browns are in an even more unique position: beat the storied rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, finish with an 11-5 record, and clinch their first playoff berth since 2002.
2020 Indians: playoffs. 2020 Browns and 2020-2021 Cavs: playoffs, too? Playoffs or not, this is Believeland, who can blame fans for believing?