Written by Jonathan Knight

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In the most hotly contested election The Cleveland Fan has seen in at least three or four days, the results from the “Greatest Game of the New Browns’ Era” ballot are in – and probably not at all what you expected.

Even with the advantage of having taken place mere hours prior to Election Day and still fresh in the minds of emotionally hung over (but happy) Browns fans, the favored triumph over the Patriots on Sunday did not claim victory.

Browns Town has spoken: the win over the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 to secure the one and only playoff spot of the new era is still clearly the new Browns’ greatest victory.

Atlanta W 24-16 (2002)                  40%

New England W 34-14 (2010)      26.7%

Pittsburgh W 13-6 (2009)              13.9%

Pittsburgh W 16-15 (1999)           6.7%

Baltimore W 24-14 (2001)            6.7%

Pittsburgh W 33-13 (2003)           6.7%

The New England triumph picked up a solid 26% of the vote (and, for some reason, carried the state of Utah), but wasn’t within reach of the title. Last year’s icebox win over the Steelers became the Ross Perot of the contest, picking up a surprising 14%.

A few memorable comments from voters as they left the polls:

Atlanta ’02:

“Easy decision; a playoff berth decided in a tight game..."

 “…because it put us back in the playoffs and was a MEANINGFUL game.”

 “…because it was classic Browns football.  Ugly snowy cold, great rushing attack and an absolute blast to be at.”

 

New England ’10:

"The Pats game . . . no doubt at all. Have to go back to the 80's for one that felt so complete!!!!"

 

Pittsburgh ’09:

“This game was the beginning of the Mangini Era."

“That Steelers game last year definitely was the best game I've seen…Close second is yesterday's game.....and all this may be related to the amount of beer I've had to put down to forget the earlier seasons ever happened."

In its concession speech, Sunday’s win over the Patriots thanked its supporters for all their hard work and devotion and vowed to work closely with the Atlanta win of 2002 to ensure a brighter future for the Browns.

I’m Peyton Hillis and I approved this message.