The 2011 season for the Cleveland Browns is finally over. With a 13-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 1, the Browns head into the offseason after posting a 4-12 record while the rest of the AFC North (Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati) heads to the postseason.
Phil Dawson kicked three field goals in windy, rainy, snowy conditions for the Browns, who did not score a touchdown for the fourth game this season. The Steelers got enough from Ben Roethlisberger and his sprained ankle (221 yards on 23-of-40 passing) plus a nice lift from running back Isaac Redman, who tallied 92 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries while filling in for the injured Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall injured his right knee in the final moments of the first quarter.
The Browns did have one last chance to score on the final play of the game, but a hail mary pass to the endzone was not answered.
Seneca Wallace went 16-of-41 with 177 passing yards and 44 rushing yards while Josh Cribbs grabbed seven catches for 91 to lead the Browns. D'Qwell Jackson once again led the defense with 13 tackles.
Hines Ward posted five catches on the day for Pittsburgh, helping him become just the eighth player in NFL history with 1,000 career receptions.
Dawson was easily the team's leading scorer in 2011, recording 92 points (72 on field goals, 20 on extra points). That includes a career-high seven field goals from 50 or more yards. He kicked his 275th career field goal and now stands at 83.5% (137-of-164) at Browns Stadium since 1999.
The Browns went 0-6 against AFC North opponents in Pat Shurmur's first year as head coach. Shurmur will hold exit interviews with players beginning today.
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