Strat-O-Matic simulation: 'Siper Bowl' in 1980 the stuff of dreams for Browns fans

Jul. 30—Editor's note: Part 2 in a five-part series highlighting five "What If" scenarios involving Cleveland pro sports played out in a Strat-O-Matic simulation. Today: What if the Browns beat the Raiders in the "Red Right 88" 1980 AFC Divisional playoff game?

In 1980, there was no doubt what Browns fans were thinking — not just the Super Bowl, but a 'Siper' Bowl.

As in Browns quarterback and 1980 NFL MVP Brian Sipe, the unquestioned leader of one of the most iconic Browns teams in franchise history.

That team was 11-5, won the AFC North and earned the moniker "Kardiac Kids" with pulse-pounding wins that had fans on the edge of their seats throughout the season.

It didn't start that way. The Browns lost their first two games by a combined score of 50-24, but went 11-3 the rest of the way. Of those 14 games, 12 were decided by a touchdown or less — seven by a field goal or less.

It was a magical season for Sipe, who threw for 4,132 yards and 30 touchdowns. Sipe joined Jim Brown (1957, 1958, 1965) as the only Browns player to win NFL MVP, as voted by the Associated Press.

Much like Bernie Kosar in the mid- to late-'80s, the city fell in love with Sipe. Dreams of a Super Bowl XV appearance in New Orleans danced in fans' heads.

Then — in a split-second — it was over. Hosting the Raiders in an AFC Divisional playoff game on Jan. 4, 1981, in frigid conditions at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the Browns lost, 14-12, in a fitting way — down to wire with the fans on the edge of their seats.

Sipe's interception by Oakland's Mike Davis — famously known as the "Red Right 88" play — ended the city's hope for a "Siper Bowl" in heartbreaking fashion. But what if Sipe's pass to Ozzie Newsome wasn't intercepted and went for a touchdown instead?

What if the Browns beat the Raiders, thus setting up an AFC Championship game in San Diego the next week against the Chargers?

Strat-O-Matic — the longtime simulation sports game — provided the answers. Cleveland posted an impressive 44-24 win over the Chargers in the AFC title game, a result that would have meant the Browns' first appearance in a Super Bowl. There, the Browns did not disappoint with a 27-14 win over the Eagles.

The simulation was eerily similar to the real thing. The Raiders beat the Eagles in Super Bowl XV, 27-10.

John Garcia, the Chief Content Officer for Strat-O-Matic, recently ran a simulation of the weeks following a Browns win over the Raiders in the 1980 playoff game. Here are the details:

Browns-Chargers (AFC championship game)

The offenses did not disappoint early on as the teams combined for 30 points in the first quarter.

The Chargers took a 10-0 lead but Sipe threw two TDs — to Reggie Rucker (14 yards) and Dave Logan (9 yards) for a 13-10 lead.

Then, after Dan Fouts threw a TD pass for 17-13 advantage, Mike Pruitt ran 26 yards for another score in the second quarter, and Sipe threw his third TD of the first half — this one 32 yards to Newsome.

A Fouts-to-John Jefferson 55-yard TD pass and catch closed the first half scoring, and it was the Browns with a 27-24 halftime advantage.

Browns fans surely expecting a down-to-the-wire finish had to be stunned the way the second unfolded. It was all Browns.

Sipe and Newsome connected for a second TD from 5 yards at the end of the third quarter for a 34-24 lead. Then early in the fourth, Pruitt sealed the win with a 19-yard TD to make it 41-24. Don Cockroft's 38-yard field goal finished the scoring with 4:30 remaining.

The Browns' offense sizzled, especially Sipe, who had to be excited performing in front of his hometown of San Diego, where he also played in college at San Diego State. Sipe was 26 of 38 for 322 yards with four touchdowns and one interception as the offense put up 500 yards of offense.

Newsome was the top receiver with 137 yards on seven receptions. Reggie Rucker added five for 42. Mike Pruitt had a game-high 119 yards on 14 carries. Greg Pruitt adeded 37 yards on seven attempts and also had four catches for 35 yards.

The victory put the Browns in the Super Bowl against the NFC champion Eagles.

Browns-Eagles (Super Bowl XV)

The Browns — with their confidence sky-high after the big win over the Chargers — scored 21 second-quarter points to key the franchise's first win in Super Bowl history.

Again, Cleveland had to come from behind. The Eagles got a TD run from Wilbert Montgomery in the first quarter to open the scoring. In the second quarter, Sipe and Mike Pruitt went to work.

Newsome caught a 1-yard TD pass early in the second quarter and the game was tied at 7. A Ron Jaworski TD pass followed and Philadelphia led, 14-7.

About a minute later, Mike Pruitt ran 54 yards to pay dirt and it was 14-7 Browns. A Reggie Rucker 2-yard TD reception from Sipe just before halftime put the Browns in front for the first time, 21-14.

Rucker and Sipe connected again in the third quarter for a 27-14 lead (the extra-point was blocked). From there, the defense took over, as it shut out Jaworski and the Eagles in the second half.

For the second straight week, Browns fans' hearts got a break from a season of heart-pounding regular-season victories.

Sipe was again effective, as he was 24 of 38 for 277 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

The Pruitts also delivered a second straight week. Mike again ran for 104 yards on 14 attempts, and Greg added 30 yards on four totes. Mike caught four for 51 yards; Greg three for 35.

Rucker hauled in five receptions for 76 yards and his two TDs. Newsome had five receptions for 32 yards. Logan added five receptions for 72 yards.

Philadelphia's top performers were Jaworski (336 passing yards, two TDs), Montgomery (111 yards rushing and receiving and a TD) and Harold Carmichael (six catches, 141 yards).

Box scores

Browns 44, Chargers 24

Browns Chargers

First downs 29 18

Rushing yards 186 58

Passing yards 314 263

Individual statistics

Rushing — Browns: M. Pruitt 14-119, G. Pruitt 7-37, Sipe 6-19, Hill 4-12, Miller 1-(-1), Chargers: Thomas 12-24, Muncie 9-31, Fouts 2-3

Passing — Browns: 26-28-322-4TD-INT, Chargers: Fouts 26-40-285-2TD-INT

Receiving — Browns: Newsome 7-137, Rucker 5-42, G. Pruitt 4-35, M. Pruitt 4-31, Logan 3-45, Hill 2-24, Oden 1-8, Home: Jefferson 7-114, Winslow 6-68, Joiner 5-55, Thomas 5-24, Muncie 2-19, Smith 1-5

Browns 13 14 7 10 — 44

Chargers 17 7 0 0 — 24

First quarter

Chargers — Benirschke 51 FG

Chargers — Thomas 1 run (Benirschke kick)

Browns — Rucker 14 pass from Sipe (kick failed)

Browns — Logan 9 pass from Sipe (Cockroft kick)

Chargers — Williams 11 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick)

Second quarter

Browns — M. Pruitt 26 run (Cockroft kick)

Browns — Newsome 32 pass from Sipe (Cockroft kick)

Chargers — Jefferson 55 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick)

Third quarter

Browns — Newsome 5 pass from Sipe (Cockroft kick)

Browns — Pruitt 19 run (Cockroft kick)

Browns — Cockroft 38 FG

Browns 27, Eagles 14

Eagles Browns

First downs 23 23

Rushing yards 98 150

Passing yards 331262

Individual statistics

Rushing — Eagles: Montgomery 19-62, Harris 7-24, Giammona 7-7, Harrington 1-3, Campfield 1-2, Browns: M. Pruitt 14-105, Sipe 7-10, G. Pruitt 4-30, Hill 1-5

Passing — Eagles: Jaworski 24-41-336-2TD-INT, Browns: Sipe 24-38-277-3TD-INT

Receiving — Eagles: Smith 7-82, Carmichael 6-141, Montgomery 5-49, Krepfle 3-44, Giammona 2-14, Harris 1-6, Browns: Rucker 5-76, Newsome 5-32, Logan 4-72, M. Pruitt 4-51, G. Pruitt 3-35, Hill 3-11

Eagles 7 7 0 0 — 14

Browns 0 21 6 0 — 27

First quarter

Eagles — Montgomery 11 pass from Jaworski (Franklin kick)

Second quarter

Browns — Newsome 1 pass from Sipe (Cockroft kick)

Eagles — Krepfle 14 pass from Jaworski (Franklin kick)

Browns — M. Pruitt 54 run (Cockroft kick)

Browns — Rucker 2 pass from Sipe (Cockroft kick)

Third quarter

Browns — Rucker 28 pass from Sipe (kick blocked)