The 2003 Cleveland Browns season was the franchise's 55th season as a professional sports franchise and its 51st season as a member of the National Football League. The Browns were unable to replicate the success from the previous season, and they ended up winning only five games. They failed to return to the playoffs. This season would begin a stretch, which was unbroken until the the 2020 season, in which the Browns would not make it to the NFL Playoffs in any capacity.[1][2]
Offseason
2003 NFL Draft
Undrafted free agents
Roster
| 2003 Cleveland Browns final roster |
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Active, Inactive, Practice squad
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Regular season
Schedule
Apart from their AFC North division games, the Browns played against the AFC West and NFC West according to the NFL’s conference rotation, and played the Colts and Patriots based on 2002 standings in their respective AFC divisions.
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 7 |
Indianapolis Colts |
L 6–9 |
73,358
|
| 2 |
September 14 |
at Baltimore Ravens |
L 13–33 |
69,473
|
| 3 |
September 21 |
at San Francisco 49ers |
W 13–12 |
67,412
|
| 4 |
September 28 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
L 14–21 |
73,428
|
| 5 |
October 5 |
at Pittsburgh Steelers |
W 33–13 |
64,595
|
| 6 |
October 12 |
Oakland Raiders |
W 13–7 |
73,318
|
| 7 |
October 19 |
San Diego Chargers |
L 20–26 |
73,238
|
| 8 |
October 26 |
at New England Patriots |
L 3–9 |
68,436
|
| 9 |
Bye |
| 10 |
November 9 |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
L 20–41 |
78,560
|
| 11 |
November 16 |
Arizona Cardinals |
W 44–6 |
72,908
|
| 12 |
November 23 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
L 6–13 |
73,658
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| 13 |
November 30 |
at Seattle Seahawks |
L 7–34 |
64,680
|
| 14 |
December 8 |
St. Louis Rams |
L 20–26 |
73,108
|
| 15 |
December 14 |
at Denver Broncos |
L 20–23 |
75,358
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| 16 |
December 21 |
Baltimore Ravens |
L 0–35 |
72,548
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| 17 |
December 28 |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
W 22–14 |
65,362
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Standings
Game summaries
Week 2: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Browns |
0 |
3 |
10 |
0 |
13 |
| Ravens |
10 |
6 |
0 |
17 |
33 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
- Date: September 14
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
- Game attendance: 69,473
- Referee: Tom White
- TV announcers (CBS): Tim Brando (play–by–play), Spencer Tillman (color commentator)
Browns linebacker Andra Davis telephoned Ravens running back Jamal Lewis before the game and stated he wanted Lewis to carry the ball at least thirty times in their upcoming matchup. “If that happens, it’s going to be a career day’, Lewis replied. Lewis then erupted to 295 rushing yards, breaking the record previously held by Corey Dillon in 2000 as the Browns fell 33–13.
Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Cardinals |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
| Browns |
10 |
10 |
14 |
10 |
44 |
at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland
- Date: November 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 43 °F (6.1 °C), relative humidity 89%, wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn)
- Game attendance: 72,908
- Referee: Ron Winter
- TV announcers (Fox): Scott Graham (play–by–play), Dale Hellestrae (color commentator) and Tony Rizzo (sideline reporter)
- [1]
| Game information |
First quarter
- CLE (9:06) – Dawson 34 yard field goal
Browns 3, Cardinals 0
- CLE (2:57) – Davis 4 yard pass from Holcomb (Dawson kick)
Browns 10, Cardinals 0
Second quarter
- CLE (11:16) – Dawson 24 yard field goal
Browns 13, Cardinals 0
- CLE (4:14) – Northcutt 1 yard pass from Holcomb (Dawson kick)
Browns 20, Cardinals 0
- ARI (0:55) – Rackers 42 yard field goal
Browns 20, Cardinals 3
Third quarter
- ARI (9:55) – Rackers 26 yard field goal
Browns 20, Cardinals 6
- CLE (6:59) – Jackson 4 yard rush (Dawson kick)
Browns 27, Cardinals 6
- CLE (2:56) – Morgan 68 yard pass from Holcomb (Dawson kick)
Browns 34, Cardinals 6
Fourth quarter
- CLE (14:20) – Jackson 4 yard rush (Dawson kick)
Browns 41, Cardinals 6
- CLE (8:57) – Dawson 29 yard field goal
Browns 44, Cardinals 6
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Turnovers
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References
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| Franchise |
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| Stadiums |
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| Key personnel |
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| Culture |
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| Lore |
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| Rivalries |
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| Playoff appearances (30) |
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| Division championships (12) |
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| Conference championships (11) |
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| League championships (8) |
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| Retired numbers |
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| Hall of Fame inductees |
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| Current league affiliations |
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| Former league affiliation |
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- ↑ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/2003.htm
- ↑ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/2003_roster.htm
