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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:20 a.m., Sunday, December 30, 2007

NFL: Browns beat 49ers, 20-7, awaits playoff fate

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns finished an unforgettable regular season, then braced for overtime — about seven hours worth.

Joshua Cribbs returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown, Jamal Lewis rushed for 128 yards and rookie quarterback Brady Quinn made his long-awaited NFL debut as the Browns beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-7 today. Then they settled in front of their TVs to cheer for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns (10-6), just 4-12 a year ago, would make the AFC playoffs for the first time since 2002 if the defending Super Bowl champions beat the Tennessee Titans (9-6) on Sunday night.

In the final minutes, Cleveland fans chanted "Let's Go Colts," and after the scoreboard clock reached 0:00, fans celebrated as Kiss' "Rock and Roll All Night" pumped through the stadium's loudspeakers.

It's a fitting conclusion for these down-to-the-very-last tick Browns, whose surprising turnaround in coach Romeo Crennel's third season included several games won — and lost — in the final seconds.

Derek Anderson threw a TD pass to Braylon Edwards and Phil Dawson kicked two field goals as the Browns finished 7-1 at home for the first time in club history.

Cleveland's 10 wins are its most since its expansion rebirth. The Browns last posted double-digit wins in 1994 (11).

But they showered, dressed and left Cleveland Browns Stadium not knowing if they'll play at least one more game. Their immediate future was in hands of the Colts.

Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy was expected to rest many of his starters for the postseason, but the Browns were hoping he would keep Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and Co. in long enough against the Titans to extend Cleveland's season into the new year.

One wait is over for Browns fans. They finally got to see Quinn, who came in late in the first half when Anderson left with an injured finger.