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Dawson's FG sends Browns past Dolphins

Dec 5, 2010 - 11:56 PM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Phil Dawson kicked the game-winning field goal with time running out, following a late interception of Chad Henne, to lift the Cleveland Browns to a 13-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

With just over a minute remaining, the Dolphins were deep in their own territory and not having much success. The game seemed destined for overtime, but Henne's pass was blocked and bounced to Browns defensive back Mike Adams.

Adams returned the ball to the two-yard line, and after Cleveland knelt the ball three times to run the clock down, Dawson kicked a 23-yard try through the uprights to give the Browns (5-7) their second consecutive win.

"We've been in every single game [this season]. We've lost some close ones, so it's nice to win these close ones. I'm looking for a continuation along that path," Browns head coach Eric Mangini said.

Jake Delhomme, starting his second game in a row in place of injured rookie Colt McCoy, completed 24-of-34 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown to Benjamin Watson. The tight end finished with 10 catches for 100 yards.

Henne passed for 174 yards and a score on 16-of-32 efficiency, but was intercepted three times as the Dolphins (6-6) fell to 1-5 at home this season. They played without wideout Brandon Marshall, who was inactive with a hamstring injury.

"I'm disappointed we weren't able to capitalize on some situations during the course of the game," Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said. "There's some good things out there, but at the end of the day, if you turn the ball over three times in close games you're going to lose.

Dan Carpenter set a Miami franchise record by kicking a 60-yard field goal, though had a 41-yard attempt blocked on the game's opening drive.

The struggling offenses then engaged in a series of possessions that ended in punts. Of the teams' 14 first-half drives, eight ended in a punt and two ended with a Henne interception. His second pick came when he threw off-the-mark to Davone Bess and Abram Elam came down with the ball.

Elam returned the pick 18 yards to the Miami 28, and the Browns reached the 14 before Dawson kicked a 32-yard try with 1:43 left.

The Dolphins got on the board thanks to Carpenter's 60-yarder, which had just enough distance to get past the crossbar with two seconds on the clock.

Cleveland's only touchdown drive occurred late in the third quarter, when the Browns went 94 yards in six plays. The biggest gain was Delhomme's 37-yard pass to Mohamed Massaquoi, while Delhomme found Watson for a three-yard touchdown with 1:16 remaining.

Miami countered with its own TD drive, an 11-play, 80-drive progression. Henne finished it nearly five minutes into the final quarter with an 11-yard pass to tight end Anthony Fasano.

Game Notes

Browns rookie cornerback Joe Haden recorded an interception for the fourth consecutive game. That is the longest streak by a Browns player since Ernie Kellerman had a pickoff in six consecutive games in 1968...Dawson recorded the 14th game-winning field goal of his career...Cleveland linebacker Titus Brown left the game with a head injury and did not return...The Dolphins have lost three in a row to the Browns.