2006 Cleveland Browns season The 2006 Cleveland Browns season marked the 60th anniversary of the Browns franchise . It began with the team attempting to improve upon their win - loss record from 2005 , where the team ended the year at 6 – 10 . They were one of the most active teams during the free agency period , and looked to be one of the most improved teams of the season at the end of the NFL Draft . They experienced many setbacks during training camp , from which they never fully recovered . By the end of the season they had gone 4 – 12 , losing two more games than the previous season . Off - season . Free agency . The Cleveland Browns ' front office was busy during the first several days off the free - agent signing period , looking to help the team by signing players who they felt would make immediate impacts upon the team . On the first day , the Browns signed center LeCharles Bentley , wide receiver Joe Jurevicius , and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer . Bentley and Shaffer were signed to help protect second - year quarterback Charlie Frye in the pocket , and Jurevicius was signed to provide veteran support to the Browns ' young receiving corps , which then - consisted of Braylon Edwards , Josh Cribbs , and veteran Dennis Northcutt . On the second day of the free - agent period , the Browns signed punter Dave Zastudil to replace Kyle Richardson , and to establish a good punting game . An interesting fact about the Browns ' free - agent signings deals with the fact that Bentley , Jurevicius , and Zastudil are each Ohio - natives , and expressed their wish to play for the Browns at some point in their careers . A day after signing Zastudil , the Browns signed veteran nose tackle Ted Washington in an attempt to improve the Browns ' run defense . After signing Washington , the Browns made their final key free - agent signing , by inking a deal with linebacker Willie McGinest . McGinest was signed to provide veteran support among the Browns ' linebacking corps , and brought back under the direction of head coach Romeo Crennel , who coached McGinest defensively through three Super Bowl s while in New England . 2006 NFL Draft . As the 2006 NFL Draft neared in late April , the Browns had already filled in many of their holes through free agency , and would primarily be looking for players who would help the 3 – 4 defense . The Browns had their eyes set on Haloti Ngata , who they would presumably build up to take over for Ted Washington . On the day of the draft , the Browns traded their 12th pick to the Baltimore Ravens for the 13th pick and a 6th round pick . Baltimore used the pick to take Ngata , while the Browns selected outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley , the player who Cleveland GM Phil Savage had wanted the whole time . The selection of inside linebacker D ' Qwell Jackson in the second round created a linebacker core of Andra Davis , Jackson , McGinest , and Wimbley . Wide receiver Travis Wilson was selected in the 3rd round as a developmental project and future possession receiver . On day two of the draft , seven other players were taken ; linebacker Leon Williams , tackle Isaac Sowells , running back Jerome Harrison , cornerback DeMario Minter , fullback Lawrence Vickers , nose tackle Babatunde Oshinowo , and safety Justin Hamilton . Minter ended up being the only rookie not playing a down that season due to injury . The way the Browns handled the draft was mostly praised , filling in their voids and finding future starters in late rounds . Trades . During the 2006 off - season , the Cleveland Browns made two significant trades . Their first would be trading veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer to the San Francisco 49ers for fourth - year quarterback Ken Dorsey . The trade was an important step in solidifying second - year quarterback Charlie Frye as the Browns ' starting quarterback heading into the 2006 regular season . The other important trade the Browns made would fill the void at center left by newly - acquired free agent LeCharles Bentley . The Browns traded a conditional 2008 draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for center Hank Fraley . The Browns subsequently signed Fraley to a one - year contract . Center troubles during training camp . On July 27 , the first day of the Cleveland Browns ' training camp , free - agent center LeCharles Bentley suffered a season - ending knee injury during the first contact play of camp . Bentley was quoted as saying , " No one touched me . It was a freak thing . I took two steps , felt the injury and that was it . It felt like someone had kicked me . " Bentley also said that he ' s " [ . . . ] never been a patient person , " and that " [ . . . ] [ l ] earning to adjust my body and my limitations is going to be a difficult challenge . When it ' s all said and done , it ' s going to make me better . " Bentley was expected to help protect second - year quarterback Charlie Frye . After news of Bentley ' s injuring , back - up center Bob Hallen left training camp , leaving the team without a center . On July 30 , the Browns signed veteran center Todd Washington . On August 7 , Washington announced his retirement . On August 12 , Hallen announced his retirement , citing two herniated discs and stenosis as the reason for his retirement . The Browns faced even more problems when third - string center Alonzo Ephraim , who was signed following Bentley ' s injury , was suspended for substance abuse . August 17 saw the Browns center woes disparaging slightly , as they acquired Ross Tucker from the Patriots . On August 24 , the Browns acquired center Lennie Friedman from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2007 draft choice . On September 2 , the Browns finally found what they had been looking for when they traded a conditional 2008 draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for center Hank Fraley . Upon signing Fraley , Ross Tucker ' s contract was terminated . Pre - season . The Cleveland Browns started off with a 20 – 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles . Next , they managed to get their first preseason win at home 20 – 16 against the Detroit Lions . They then won their first preseason away game 20 – 17 against the Buffalo Bills , before losing their final preseason game at home against the Philadelphia Eagles 20 – 7 . The Cleveland Browns came out of their pre - season with a record of 2 – 2 . Their performance during the pre - season showed promise for the team heading into the regular season . Regular season . Game summaries . Week 1 vs New Orleans Saints . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " On the first play from scrimmage , quarterback Charlie Frye completed a 74 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Braylon Edwards . However , because of a holding penalty on tackle Kevin Shaffer , the play was called back . The Browns would only manage 56 yards of total offense during the first half of play . By halftime , New Orleans was leading the game 9 – 0 , because of three field goals ( 43 yards in the first quarter , 25 and 21 yards in the second ) by kicker John Carney . In the second half , Frye completed an 18 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Winslow , marking his first career touchdown reception . However , the Saints burgeoned their lead , with opposing quarterback Drew Brees completing a 12 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marques Colston . In the fourth quarter , Frye brought the Browns within two points of the lead when he rushed for a 1 - yard touchdown . A 20 - yard field goal from Carney put the Saints up for good , 19 – 14 . The Browns were threatening in Saints territory as the clock was winding down , but a Frye pass deflected off Edwards ' chest and into the hands of safety Josh Bullocks . With the loss the Browns began their season 0 – 1 . 0 – 1 against NFC opponents . Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals . " at Paul Brown Stadium , Cincinnati , Ohio " The Browns traveled to Cincinnati for their week two match - up against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium . The Browns offense struggled for the second straight week , turning in only 56 rushing yards . Despite Charlie Frye passing for 244 yards , he threw no touchdowns and two interceptions . The Bengals scored three times in the first half . Wide receiver Kelley Washington caught a 22 - yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Palmer , and wide receiver Chad Johnson caught an 8 - yard touchdown pass from Palmer , in the first quarter . Kicker Shayne Graham added three more points in the second quarter with a 37 - yard field goal . Phil Dawson put the Browns ' only points on the board in the first quarter with a 30 - yard field goal . The second half was slightly better for the Browns , with their defense holding the Bengals scoreless in the third quarter . After a field goal from 37 yards by Graham in the fourth quarter , the Browns capped off a 76 - yard drive with Reuben Droughns ' first rushing touchdown of the season . The Browns had excellent field position for that drive because of a 75 - yard pass from Frye to Braylon Edwards . Running back Rudi Johnson then scored two touchdowns from 1 yard and 9 yards out . Charlie Frye put the Browns ' final points on the board when he ran in from two yards out for the score . In the end though , the Browns would end up losing Round 1 of 2006 ' s Battle for Ohio while dropping to 0 – 2 . 0 – 1 against division rivals and 0 – 1 in conference games . Week 3 vs Baltimore Ravens . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " The Browns returned home , still searching for their first win of the year , with a Week 3 division battle , against the Baltimore Ravens . The Ravens drew first blood in the first quarter , as kicker Matt Stover kicked a 32 - yard field goal for the only score of the quarter . In the second quarter , the Browns came to life , as QB Charlie Frye completed a 58 - yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and Frye managed to get a TD on a 1 - yard TD run . After a scoreless third quarter , it seemed that Cleveland would finally get its first victory , but in the fourth quarter , the Ravens managed to fly back into the game . QB Steve McNair would complete a 3 - yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap . Finally , Stover would help Baltimore steal one from the Browns , with a 43 - yard and a 52 - yard field goal . With their last - second loss , the Browns fell to 0 – 3 . 0 – 2 against division rivals and 0 – 2 in conference games . Week 4 at Oakland Raiders . " at McAfee Coliseum , Oakland , California " The Browns flew to McAfee Coliseum to take on the Oakland Raiders , still hoping for their first win of the year . From the get - go , things immediately got ugly , as RB Reuben Droughns fumbled and LB Sam Williams picked up the ball for a 30 - yard return touchdown . In the second quarter , the Browns ' woes continued , as QB Andrew Walter completed a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss . Cleveland would get a 28 - yard field goal by kicker Phil Dawson , but Oakland continued to pour on the hurt as RB LaMont Jordan ran 59 yards for a touchdown . The Browns would get a touchdown before halftime , as QB Charlie Frye completed a 3 - yard TD pass to TE Darnell Dinkins . In the third quarter , Cleveland finally managed to click on all cylinders , as Frye completed two more TD passes to TE Kellen Winslow ( a 2 - yard pass ) and WR Joe Jurevicius ( a 5 - yard pass ) to take the lead . Afterward , the Browns held on for the rest of the game to finally get their first win of the year causing them to improve to 1 – 3 . 1 – 2 in conference games . Week 5 at Carolina Panthers . " at Bank of America Stadium , Charlotte , North Carolina " Hoping to build on their win in Oakland , the Browns flew to Bank of America Stadium for a Week 5 match - up with the Carolina Panthers . The Browns would score first , as kicker Phil Dawson got a 41 - yard field goal , but the Panthers did better , as CB Richard Marshall intercepted a pass that bounced off WR Dennis Northcutt ' s hands and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown . In the second quarter , Cleveland ' s struggles continued as Panthers QB Jake Delhomme completed a 17 - yard TD pass to WR Keyshawn Johnson for the only score of the second period . Johnson was being covered by safety Brodney Pool , who was forced to play cornerback due to injuries to Gary Baxter and Leigh Bodden . In the third quarter , both sides would get field goals , as Carolina kicker John Kasay kicked a 22 - yarder , while Dawson made a 47 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Browns got closer with Dawson ' s 22 - yard field goal , but the Panthers managed to put the game away , as Kasay got a 19 - yard field goal and gave the Panthers a huge lead . Even though Dawson would make a 32 - yard field goal , Cleveland ' s struggles continued to hurt them , as they went into their bye week at 1 – 4 . 0 – 2 against NFC opponents . Week 7 vs Denver Broncos . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " Coming off their bye week , the Browns headed back home to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a rendezvous with their old rival , the Denver Broncos . The Broncos ' Jason Elam kicked a 32 - yard field goal early in the second quarter for a 3 – 0 lead . Then , right after the two minute warning , Tatum Bell rushed to the right for a 9 - yard touchdown run . The halftime score was 10 – 0 . In the first half , the Browns offense earned just four first downs , scored no points , and Charlie Frye was sacked three times . With 9 : 13 remaining in the third quarter , Jake Plummer connected with rookie Brandon Marshall for a nine - yard touchdown to make the score 17 – 0 . After Champ Bailey intercepted Charlie Frye in the fourth quarter , Andra Davis returned the favor by intercepting Jake Plummer and set the Browns offense up at the Denver 18 . Two short plays later , Frye passed to Joe Jurevicius for a 6 - yard touchdown catch . It was only the second touchdown allowed by Denver ' s defense all season and it was the first 4th quarter touchdown of Charlie Frye ' s career . However , Cleveland ' s last two possessions did not result in a comeback . Denver held on for a 17 – 7 victory . Two days after the game , Offensive Coordinator Maurice Carthon resigned . With the loss , the Browns fell to 1 – 5 . 1 – 3 in conference games . Week 8 vs New York Jets . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " The Browns entered week 8 against the New York Jets with Jeff Davidson taking over for Carthon as offensive coordinator . An 8 - minute opening drive by the Jets would result in a Mike Nugent 27 - yard field goal , which the Browns matched with a Phil Dawson 47 - yard kick . In the 2nd quarter , an interception by the Browns ' Sean Jones set up a 2 - yard touchdown run by Reuben Droughns . The Browns failed to score on a deep drive at the end of the half , with Dawson missing a 26 - yard field goal try , and the teams headed into the break at 10 – 3 . The Browns opened the third quarter with a 57 - yard drive capped by a Kellen Winslow touchdown reception for 30 yards . Later in the quarter , a Leon Washington fumble led to another field goal for the Browns . Justin Miller would answer back , however , by taking the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown . After a Browns punt , the Jets moved down the field and got a 47 - yard field goal from Nugent . The Browns offense stalled out in the fourth quarter , but the defense played well . Sean Jones got another interception midway through the fourth quarter , and a late drive by the Jets failed as Chad Pennington ' s final throw to the endzone was caught by Chris Baker ; however , the officials ruled that he would have landed out of bounds even if the Browns ' Brodney Pool hadn ' t pushed him . The play was not reviewed even after the Jets called a time - out for the booth official to think it over , and the Browns hung on to win . Week 9 at San Diego Chargers . " at Qualcomm Stadium , San Diego , California " Hoping to build on their home win over the Jets , the Browns flew to Qualcomm Stadium to take on the throwback - clad San Diego Chargers . In the first quarter , things started off close with Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 29 - yard field goal , while Browns kicker Phil Dawson nailed a 37 - yarder . In the second quarter , Dawson would get a 20 - yard field goal for Cleveland . However , San Diego got the first touchdown of the game , as LB Marques Harris recovered a fumble in the Browns endzone for a touchdown . Dawson would supply the scoring for Cleveland for the rest of the half , as he nailed a 42 - yarder and a 30 - yarder . In the third quarter , the Chargers gained some momentum , as RB LaDainian Tomlinson , after getting bottled up in the first half , broke out with a 41 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Dawson would get another field goal , which came from 36 yards out . However , San Diego would respond with Tomlinson getting a 7 - yard TD run . Cleveland would have Dawson get a 35 - yard field goal , yet Tomlinson would get an 8 - yard TD run , which was followed by a successful two - point conversion from QB Philip Rivers to WR Vincent Jackson . The Browns would finally get a touchdown , as QB Charlie Frye completed a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards . Unfortunately , the damage was already done . With the loss , Cleveland would fall to 2 – 6 . Week 10 at Atlanta Falcons . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " Facing a desperate season verging on the point of disaster yet again , the Browns traveled again in Week 10 to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to meet the Atlanta Falcons . The 5 – 3 Falcons were determined to rebound from their disappointed Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions . In the first quarter , nothing happened until very late . With 3 : 33 remaining in the quarter , Browns quarterback Charlie Frye connected on a 40 - yard pass to tight end Kellen Winslow . That put the Browns on the Atlanta 6 - yard line and 3 plays later , on 4th and 1 , the Browns scored on a run by running back Reuben Droughns and the Browns took a 7 – 0 lead . The second quarter started with a bang for the Browns . Atlanta had 2nd and 9 on the Cleveland 49 when Falcons quarterback Michael Vick threw an interception to Browns safety Sean Jones . The Browns drove the ball quickly down the field and , with 11 : 59 remaining in the quarter , Charlie Frye connected with tight end Braylon Edwards on a 19 - yard touchdown pass . The Browns lead was 14 – 0 . At the two - minute - warning , Reuben Droughns fumbled on the Atlanta 35 . The Falcons attempted a two - minute - drill offense , but the Browns stood Vick up at the Browns 26 . However , Falcons kicker Morten Andersen kicked a 44 - yard field goal to get on the board 14 – 3 at halftime Very little happened in the third quarter . Michael Vick was driving in Cleveland territory with 5 : 28 remaining when he was intercepted again by Browns safety Brodney Pool . However , the ensuing Browns possession resulted in a Dave Zastudil punt . The punt was out of their own endzone and was returned to the Browns 12 . It took two plays for Vick to connect with wide receiver Michael Jenkins for a touchdown . The score was then 14 – 10 . Things started to look grim for the Browns in the fourth quarter . After the teams each went three and out , Atlanta gained great field position and were able to bring Andersen in for a 46 - yard field goal . The lead was a mere point for the Browns at 14 – 13 . The next drive for the Browns looked promising . After two passes to tight end Steve Heiden and a 36 - yard pass to Kellen Winslow , the Browns then faltered and had to settle for a 43 - yard Phil Dawson field goal . The score was 17 – 13 . With 3 : 18 remaining in the game , Atlanta took over on their own 28 - yard line . Down by 4 , Vick let in loose downfield to an open receiver Roddy White for a 55 - yard gain . The Falcons then committed a 10 - yard penalty and Vick threw an incomplete pass . With 2nd and 20 on the Cleveland 27 , the unthinkable happened for the Georgia Dome faithful . Vick fumbled the ball on 3rd down to a waiting Browns rookie cornerback Jereme Perry . Out of timeouts , the Falcons fans watched as their team fell for a second week in a row to a bottom - feeder team . . . and the Browns celebrated their third victory , winning by the skin of their teeth . Week 11 vs Pittsburgh Steelers . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " Hoping to build off their road win over the Falcons , the Browns returned home for Round 1 of their rust belt battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers . After a scoreless first quarter , the Browns struck first as CB Daven Holly returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown . Later , kicker Phil Dawson completed a 23 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Steelers kicker Jeff Reed completed a 43 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , the true nature of the rivalry would commence . Dawson would give Cleveland a 35 - yard field goal , but Pittsburgh responded with QB Ben Roethlisberger completing a 20 - yard TD pass to rookie WR Santonio Holmes . WR Josh Cribbs would return a kick off 92 yards for a touchdown to give the Browns a 20 – 10 lead . However , the Steelers would take the lead with RB Willie Parker getting a 1 - yard TD run and a 4 - yard TD reception . The Browns final drive of the game almost came up successful , but QB Charlie Frye ' s 22 - yard pass to WR Braylon Edwards fell incomplete . With the loss , Cleveland fell to last place in the AFC North at 3 – 7 . Week 12 vs Cincinnati Bengals . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " Coming off a devastating home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers , the Browns stayed at home as they faced the Cincinnati Bengals in Round 2 of the Battle of Ohio . However , this match - up would find Cleveland not scoring a single point all game . In the first quarter , Bengals RB Rudi Johnson got a 1 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , QB Carson Palmer completed a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Chris Henry , while kicker Shayne Graham got a 24 - yard field goal for another uncontested 10 points . In the third quarter , Palmer would hook up with WR T . J . Houshmandzadeh on a 6 - yard TD pass ( along with a failed PAT ) for the only score of the period . In the fourth , Palmer and Henry wrapped up the game on a 10 - yard TD pass , shutting out the Cleveland Browns on their home field , 30 – 0 . With the second loss in a row at their home stadium , the Browns fell to 3 – 8 . Braylon Edwards was involved in a highly - publicized altercation with Charlie Frye on the sideline during the game , resulting in Edwards issuing a formal apology for his actions . Week 13 vs Kansas City Chiefs . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " The Browns came into the game hoping to rebound from the humiliating loss to the Bengals . They came out strong , striking first with a touchdown pass from Frye to Braylon Edwards , and an impressive defensive stop . The Chiefs responded , however , and Trent Green tied the game up 7 – 7 on a 22 yard pass to Eddie Kennison . They scored again 8 minutes later , this time a 9 yard TD pass to Tony Gonzalez . The Browns fought back , and just before halftime , Droughns ran 1 yard into the endzone , to tie it up at 14 going into halftime . Starting QB Charlie Frye was injured in the first half and , despite attempting a return , came out in the third quarter with a brace on his wrist and no shoulder pads . Derek Anderson took over the game for the Browns . The second half started out poorly , as Kansas City scored two more touchdowns on passes to Kris Wilson and Tony Gonzalez . The Browns came back to life in the final 9 minutes , with two touchdown passes from Anderson to Steve Heiden , one with 30 seconds left on the clock . In overtime , the Chiefs won the toss , but the stingy Browns defense forced a punt . A key pass from Anderson to Winslow moved the ball up , and Anderson came back out and ran for a large 33 - yard gain , bringing the ball inside the 20 yard line . ( It was the longest run from scrimmage for the Browns so far during the season . ) Dawson sealed the deal with a 33 - yard field goal to win the game . Week 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers . " at Heinz Field , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania " Coming off a surprising upset over the Chiefs , the Browns flew to Heinz Field for Round 2 of the Rustbelt Rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night . In the first quarter , Cleveland trailed as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 49 - yard TD pass to WR Nate Washington for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Browns trailed even further as kicker Jeff Reed nailed a 23 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the third quarter , Cleveland ' s ineffectiveness against Pittsburgh continued as Roethlisberger scored a touchdown on a 2 - yard QB sneak , while RB Willie Parker got a 3 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Reed managed to put the game well out the Browns ' reach with a 28 - yard field goal . Cleveland would score a touchdown as QB Derek Anderson completed a 45 - TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards , yet it would be their only score and their only highlight of the game , as the receiving corps had many dropped passes . With another sweep by the Steelers , the Browns fell to 4 – 9 . Week 15 at Baltimore Ravens . " at M & T Bank Stadium , Baltimore , Maryland " Following their road loss to the Steelers , the Browns flew to M & T Bank Stadium for an AFC North rematch with the Baltimore Ravens . In the first quarter , Cleveland led early with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 51 - yard field goal . However , the Ravens took the lead with RB Jamal Lewis getting a 7 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Kyle Boller took over at QB for the Ravens after starting QB Steve McNair went out with a hand injury . Baltimore ' s lead increased when Boller completed 9 - yard TD pass to FB Ovie Mughelli and kicker Matt Stover completed a 38 - yard field goal . However , the Browns showed signs of life as QB Derek Anderson completed a 3 - yard TD pass to WR Joe Jurevicius . In the third quarter , Cleveland tied the game at 17 – 17 with Anderson ' s 14 - yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards . However , the Ravens took over for the rest of the game with Boller ' s 77 - yard TD pass to WR Demetrius Williams . In the fourth quarter , Baltimore wrapped the game up with Stover ' s 22 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Browns fell 4 – 10 . For the first time in the history of the Cleveland Browns , the team did not win a game in their own division . Week 16 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers . " at Cleveland Browns Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio " Trying to snap a two - game losing skid , the Browns played their final home game of the year in a Week 16 interconference fight with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the first half , Cleveland trailed as Buccaneers ' kicker Matt Bryant kicked a 23 - yard field goal in the first quarter and a 24 - yard field goal in the second quarter . In the third quarter , Tampa Bay continued its pounding with RB Michael Pittman ' s 11 - yard TD run ( with the following PAT being blocked ) . In the fourth quarter , the Buccaneers further increased their lead with OLB Derrick Brooks returning an interception 21 yards for a touchdown . Afterward , the Browns got their only score of the game with CB Daven Holly returning a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown . Then , the Buccaners wrapped up the game with Bryant kicking a 37 - yard field goal . With the loss , Cleveland fell to 4 – 11 . Week 17 at Houston Texans . " at Reliant Stadium , Houston , Texas " Trying to end their season on a high note , the Browns flew to Reliant Stadium for the third - straight year to take on the Houston Texans . Charlie Frye convinced Coach Crennel to allow him to start despite having a deep bone bruise in his wrist . After a scoreless first quarter , the Browns struck first with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 43 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . However , in the third quarter , Cleveland ' s ineffectiveness continued to show as Texans RB Chris Taylor got a 5 - yard TD run , while DT Anthony Maddox returned a fumble 47 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , the only thing that the Browns could muster was Dawson ' s 36 - yard field goal . With four - straight losses to end the season , Cleveland ended its season at 4 – 12 . The Browns season ended with 12 players in the Injured Reserve list , many of them starters .