CLEVELAND — As their turnaround season ended inside a dome hundreds of miles away, the Cleveland Browns could only watch — and wonder.

Despite 10 wins, the Browns, who won just four games last season, were left out of the AFC playoffs after the Tennessee Titans won 16-10 in Indianapolis last night to clinch the final wild-card spot and set up a first-round game in San Diego.

The Browns were left California dreaming.

Sure, they'll spend the winter reflecting on a season few thought possible. But the Browns, who beat the San Francisco 49ers, 20-7, in their home finale, will also consider what might have been if they hadn't thrown away a game in Cincinnati last week, a loss that cost them a postseason berth.

"No matter how it turns out, this was a great year," an emotional Browns coach Romeo Crennel told his players. "Going forward, everybody's got to reckon with us."

That may be true, but it's little consolation right now as the Browns (10-6) will be the only NFL team with double-digit wins not in the playoffs.

At least they ended on a winning note. 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.

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.

Quinn came in late in the first half when Anderson left with an injured pinky.

Anderson returned after halftime and finished 11-of-20 for 152 yards, but threw an interception and was again shaky coming off a four-pick performance last week.

Quinn was 3 of 8 for 45 yards in his one series, but had a sure TD pass dropped by Kellen Winslow in the end zone.

"It felt good," Quinn said. "That's something I've been waiting for. It's tough coming off the bench like that and getting loose. A couple of those passes, my feet felt like they were in cement."

Winslow took blame for the drop.

"Brady through it right at my chest," said Winslow, who finished with 1,106 yards. "I am human sometimes."

The season is mercifully over for the 49ers (5-11), who had to start Chris Weinke at quarterback. He was their fourth starting QB, following Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer and Shaun Hill, who all got hurt.

San Francisco coach Mike Nolan faces an uncertain future and plans to meet with owner John York this week.

"I do have a contract," said Nolan, who is 16-32 in three seasons. "The speculation is what it is."

BRONCOS 22, VIKINGS 19

DENVER — Jason Elam kicked a 30-yard field goal less than a minute into overtime to win it for Denver.

The Vikings (8-8) needed a win and a Washington loss to sneak into the playoffs, but neither the Redskins nor the Broncos (7-9) obliged.

Tavaris Jackson was sacked and lost a fumble on the second snap of overtime. Elvis Dumervil recovered at the Minnesota 12, and the Broncos' field goal unit rushed onto the field for their fourth game-winner of the season just as snow began falling.

EAGLES 17, BILLS 9

PHILADELPHIA — Donovan McNabb threw for 345 yards and one touchdown, and Brian Westbrook set Eagles records for catches in a season (90) and total yards from scrimmage (2,104).

The finale was meaningless for both teams, though the Eagles (8-8) did finish at .500 on the strength of a three-game winning streak.

The Bills (7-9) failed in their bid for a .500 record and missed the playoffs for an eighth straight year, establishing the longest drought in franchise history.

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