The Cleveland Browns entered the NFL in 1950. Culminating their inaugural season, Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium hosted its first-ever NFL title game on December 24 of that year. Browns quarterback OTTO GRAHAM led a memorable comeback – 57 yards in the final two minutes for the game-winning field goal over the Los Angeles Rams.

It was the kind of championship-game comeback that wouldn’t be seen again in Cleveland…until "The Drive" on January 11, 1987.

This time, Cleveland Municipal Stadium was host to its first-ever AFC Championship Game and it was the visitor staring at defeat in the closing minutes.

BERNIE KOSAR connected with BRIAN BRENNAN on a 48-yard touchdown pass with 5:43 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Browns a 20-13 lead over the Denver Broncos. The Broncos then misplayed the ensuing kickoff and downed the ball on their own two yard-line.

Defeat loomed for Denver. What are the chances of a team covering 98 yards in 5:32 in front of 79,915 barking fans to tie the game with a touchdown? On that blustery day – five-degrees Fahrenheit with the wind chill – it seemed that Denver quarterback JOHN ELWAY already knew the answer. "The Drive" was about to begin.

"In the huddle after the kickoff he smiled – I couldn’t believe it – and he said ‘If you work hard, good things are going to happen,’" said Broncos wide receiver STEVE WATSON. "Then he smiled again."

What ensued was arguably the most memorable of JOHN ELWAY’s 47 career fourth-quarter comebacks and the Fourth Most Memorable NFL Game of the Century as chosen by NFL fans.

To commemorate the end of the century, the National Football League invited fans to vote on nfl.com, the league’s official website, for the 10 most memorable games of the century. Nearly 35,000 votes were cast. Each Wednesday, the next "most memorable" game will be announced, culminating in the announcement of the Most Memorable NFL Game of the Century during Super Bowl XXXIV week on Wednesday, January 26. A list and description of the previous winners can be found on nfl.com.

Elway opened the drive with a five-yard pass to running back SAMMY WINDER. Winder then ran right for a three-yard gain. With a third-and-two upcoming, Denver took a timeout. Winder then rushed for two yards over left guard. First down, Denver.

Elway handed off to Winder again, for three yards over left tackle. It was the fourth play in a row for Winder, which was just fine with the Browns.

"We knew Elway was the guy we had to stop," said Browns nose tackle BOB GOLIC. "We had to get good pressure on Elway. But we also had to keep him contained."

On the next play, after his primary receiver had been knocked down, Elway was pressured by defensive end SAM CLANCY. Elway eluded Clancy and his linemates and scrambled for 11 yards. He had broken the containment.

Elway then faked a handoff to GERALD WILLHITE and completed a 22-yard pass to STEVE SEWELL. Denver had a first down on its own 48-yard line. Elway threw a 12-yard pass to STEVE WATSON. Denver had finally crossed into Cleveland territory. The Broncos had a first down at the Browns’ 40-yard line when the two-minute warning hit with 1:59 remaining.

After an incomplete pass on first down, Elway was sacked for an eight-yard loss. Denver faced a third-and-18 with 1:47 left. Time out, Broncos.

"Just try to get half of it," Broncos head coach DAN REEVES said to Elway during the timeout. "We’ll get the rest on fourth down."

With Elway in the shotgun formation, the snap grazed the backside of Watson, who was in motion. Elway was able to corral the snap, back-pedal a few steps and throw a 20-yard strike to MARK JACKSON for the first down.

"If you want to pick one play," Cleveland head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER said after the game, "that one sticks out."

After an incomplete pass, Elway connected with Sewell on a 14-yard screen pass. First down, Denver, at the Browns’ 14-yard line. Elway threw a pass to Watson, who was out of bounds…incomplete. Reeves then called a quarterback draw, which Elway took outside for a nine-yard gain. It was third-and-one at the five with 39 seconds left.

"Release 66" was the play Elway called in the huddle. Elway was pressured. He threw the ball to a sliding Jackson for a five-yard touchdown. "It was low and hot," Jackson said. "I had to go down to get it."

Elway had done it. He drove Denver 98 yards in 15 plays over 4:55 for the tie. In all, he accounted for 98 yards on the drive (the team covered 106 yards due to the sack) – 78 on six of nine passing, 20 on two carries.

"It was getting pretty dramatic out there," Elway said. "But we were relaxed. I just called plays and let things happen."

Tied at 20, the game went to overtime. Cleveland won the toss and had the ball first. The Denver defense didn’t allow a first down, forcing a punt.

• Elway’s 56 rushing yards (on four carries) against the Browns was his top ground effort in 22 career postseason games.

• The game-tying scoring pass to Jackson was Elway’s only touchdown throw of the game.

• The Broncos converted four of five third-down attempts on the game-tying and game-winning drives. Denver converted only one of 13 previous third downs.

• "I knew if anyone could do it when we were on the two-yard line, it was us because we had John Elway," said Broncos kicker RICH KARLIS after the game.