The2010 season was theCleveland Browns' 58th in theNational Football League (NFL) and their 62nd overall. The team extended the longest playoff drought in franchise history to eight seasons after finishing with a 5–11 record, matching their win total from the2009 season, and placed third in theAFC North. This season was the Browns' first under team presidentMike Holmgren and general managerTom Heckert, and their second under head coachEric Mangini.

On December 21, 2009, the Browns hiredMike Holmgren, formerGreen Bay Packers head coach andSeattle Seahawks head coach and general manager, to take over as the team president. His duties will include personnel management and oversight over all operations.

Although many believed that the institution of Holmgren as president would lead to the firing of Browns' head coachEric Mangini, he announced his intent to retain Mangini and the entire coaching staff for the 2010 season on January 7, 2010.^[1]

On January 10, the Browns hired formerPhiladelphia Eagles' general managerTom Heckert as general manager, the first major hire by Holmgren.^[2]

* The Browns used a second-round tender on these players

On March 5, the Browns traded DECorey Williams and a seventh round pick in the2010 NFL draft to theDetroit Lions for a fifth round pick in 2010.^[28]

On March 8, the Browns traded a conditional draft pick in2011 to theSeattle Seahawks for QBSeneca Wallace.^[29]

On March 14, the Browns traded QBBrady Quinn to theDenver Broncos for RBPeyton Hillis, a sixth round draft pick in2011, and a conditional draft pick in2012.^[30]

Also on March 14, the Browns traded LBKamerion Wimbley to theOakland Raiders for a 2010 third round draft pick.^[31]

On April 2, the Browns traded LBAlex Hall and2010 fourth- and fifth- round draft picks (Nos. 105 and 137, respectively) to thePhiladelphia Eagles for CBSheldon Brown and LBChris Gocong.^[32]

The Browns did not have a fourth-^[39] or seventh-round selection^[44]

After wearing solid brown pants with their white away jerseys during their 2009 campaign, the Browns returned to wearing their traditional white pants with orange-brown-orange lining for their 2010 away games. Furthermore, they wore white socks with orange-brown-orange piping with these uniforms, bringing back the "classic" Browns away look, as well as marking a departure from the past decade when solid brown socks were worn with both the home and away uniforms. These changes were confirmed during the team's first preseason game against the Packers on August 14 and by Eric Mangini the following week.^[46]

Note: Intra-divisional opponents are inbold text.

The Cleveland Browns began their NFL season atRaymond James Stadium for a showdown against theTampa Bay Buccaneers. In the first quarter, the Browns had the early lead as QBJake Delhomme connected on a 41-yard touchdown pass to WRMohamed Massaquoi, but the Buccaneers responded with aConnor Barth field goal. In the second quarter, the Browns increased their lead on a touchdown run by RBPeyton Hillis. Near the end of the half, the Browns were driving down the field until Delhomme threw an interception that allowed the Buccaneers to score a touchdown in the half's closing seconds. In the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers took the lead for good on a 33-yard touchdown pass from QBJosh Freeman to WRMicheal Spurlock.

With the loss, the Browns began their season at 0–1.

The Browns played their home opener against theKansas City Chiefs looking to bounce back from a close loss in Week 1 against the Buccaneers. With starting QBJake Delhomme out with an ankle injury,Seneca Wallace started the game for the Browns. Chiefs KRyan Succop started the scoring with an early field goal. In the second quarter, the Browns scored on a 1-yard run by RBPeyton Hillis, but soon gave the lead back on an interception returned by CBBrandon Flowers. However, the Browns took a 14–10 lead into halftime on a deep touchdown pass from Wallace to WR Josh Cribbs. After the half, the Browns' offense stalled, and Succop kicked two more field goals to give the Chiefs a 16–14 victory.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–2.

Still looking for a win the Browns flew toM&T Bank Stadium for an AFC North rivalry match against the Ravens. In the 1st quarter the Browns took the early lead when kickerPhil Dawson made a 28-yard field goal, which didn't last very long after QBJoe Flacco found WRAnquan Boldin on an 8 and a 12-yard TD pass. After that the Browns replied and eventually got the lead back when RBPeyton Hillis made a 1-yard TD run, followed in the 4th quarter by QBSeneca Wallace completing a 1-yard TD pass to TEBenjamin Watson. Then the Browns fell behind when Flacco made a 27-yard TD pass to WRAnquan Boldin, followed by kickerBilly Cundiff nailing a 49-yard field goal.

With the loss, Cleveland fell to 0–3.

Still looking for their first win of the season, the Browns went home for a Week 4 AFC North duel with theCincinnati Bengals in Round 1 of 2010'sBattle of Ohio.

Cleveland got the early lead in the first quarter as kickerPhil Dawson got a 30-yard field goal. The Browns added onto their lead in the second quarter as quarterbackSeneca Wallace completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight endEvan Moore. The Bengals answered with kickerMike Nugent's 24-yard field goal, followed by quarterbackCarson Palmer finding wide receiverTerrell Owens on a 78-yard touchdown pass. The Browns would close out the half with Dawson getting a 31-yard field goal after linebackerScott Fujita blocked a Bengals field goal attempt.

In the third quarter, Cleveland picked up right where they left off as running backPeyton Hillis got a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by Dawson's 22-yard field goal. Afterwards, Cincinnati answered with Nugent making a 25-yard field goal. The Bengals tried to rally in the fourth quarter as Palmer found running backBrian Leonard on a 3-yard touchdown pass, yet the defense prevented Cincinnati from getting any closer.

With the win, the Browns improved to 1–3.

The Browns stayed at home for their Week 5 game against theAtlanta Falcons, and tried to build on their first win of the season. The Falcons scored first, on a 24-yard field goal by kickerMatt Bryant early in the second quarter. The Browns soon answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterbackSeneca Wallace to running backPeyton Hillis. Bryant hit another field goal in the quarter to cut the Cleveland lead to one point. Wallace was injured near halftime, and did not return. In the second half, quarterbackJake Delhomme came out for the Browns, but the offense failed to generate any momentum other than aPhil Dawson field goal. The Falcons took the lead when wide receiverRoddy White caught a 45-yard pass from quarterbackMatt Ryan. Cleveland tried to mount a comeback, but an interception return by defensive endKroy Biermann sealed the win for Atlanta, 20–10.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 1–4.

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Falcons, the Browns flew toHeinz Field for a Week 6 AFC North duel with their archrival, thePittsburgh Steelers. The Browns were forced to start third string rookie quarterbackColt McCoy as injuries sidelinedJake Delhomme andSeneca Wallace. Cleveland delivered the opening punch in the first quarter as kickerPhil Dawson made a 39-yard field goal, his 235th field goal as a Cleveland Brown which brokeLou Groza's franchise record. The Steelers would take the lead in the second quarter as quarterbackBen Roethlisberger completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMike Wallace.

The Browns' deficit increased in the third quarter as Roethlisberger found wide receiverHines Ward on an 8-yard touchdown pass. Cleveland tried to rally as McCoy completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight endBenjamin Watson, but Pittsburgh would pull away with Roethlisberger's 14-yard touchdown pass to tight endHeath Miller.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 1–5.

The Cleveland Browns headed south to theLouisiana Superdome for their Week 7 battle against the defending Super Bowl championNew Orleans Saints. Cleveland struck first, on a 23-yard field goal by kickerPhil Dawson and a 4-yard run by running backPeyton Hillis to take a 10–0 lead after one quarter. In the second quarter, New Orleans closed the gap on aGarrett Hartley-yard field goal, but the Browns answered with another Dawson field goal and a 30-yard interception return by linebackerDavid Bowens to push the lead to 20–3 at the half. Special teams played a large role for the Browns in the half, with a 62-yard punt return byEric Wright thanks to aJosh Cribbs lateral, and a 68-yard rush on a fake punt by punterReggie Hodges both leading to field goals.

In the fourth quarter, quarterbackDrew Brees connected with tight endDavid Thomas to pull within 10, but another Dawson field goal and a second Bowens interception return sealed the win for the Browns.

With the win, the Browns entered their bye week at 2–5. This win also marked the third consecutive season in which the Browns defeated the defending Super Bowl champion.

Coming off their bye week, the Browns went home for their Week 9 intraconference duel with theNew England Patriots. Cleveland delivered the opening punch in the first quarter as kickerPhil Dawson hit a 38-yard field goal, followed by running backPeyton Hillis' 2-yard touchdown run. The Patriots answered in the second quarter as quarterbackTom Brady completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight endAaron Hernandez. Cleveland struck back on a touchdown run by wide receiverChansi Stuckey.

The Browns added onto their lead in the third quarter as rookie quarterbackColt McCoy got a 16-yard touchdown run. Cleveland continued to pull away in the fourth quarter with another Dawson field goal. New England tried to rally as Brady completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Hernandez (with the extra point kicked by wide receiverWes Welker), yet the Browns pulled away with Hillis' 35-yard touchdown run.

With the win, Cleveland improved to 3–5. Hillis was named as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.^[47]

Coming off their win over the Patriots, the Browns stayed at home for a Week 10 duel with theNew York Jets, in a game that marked head coachEric Mangini coaching against his former team, former Browns WRBraylon Edwards making his first return to Cleveland since being traded, and Jets' head coachRex Ryan coaching against his brother, Browns' defensive coordinatorRob Ryan. The two teams exchanged early field goals before the Browns scored with a 12-yard touchdown run from RBPeyton Hillis. In the Second quarter New York tied the game on a 25-yard pass fromMark Sanchez to WRJerricho Cotchery. After A Browns' field goal, the Jets would take the lead for the first time with a Sanchez 1-yard touchdown run late in the first half.

The third quarter started with a Jets' drive that lasted 19 plays and almost 10 minutes, but resulting in no points as KNick Folk missed a short field goal. The Jets added onto their lead in the fourth quarter with Folk making a 25-yard field goal. On the Browns' next drive, rookie QBColt McCoy drove the team down the field and the Browns scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass toMohamed Massaquoi, to tie the game at 20 and send it into overtime.

In overtime, both teams squandered chances to win: Browns WRChansi Stuckey fumbled the ball in Jets' territory, Folk missed a field goal for the Jets, and Sanchez threw an interception near the goal line. It was the Jets who would finally break through late in the overtime period as Sanchez completed the game-winning 37-yard touchdown pass to WRSantonio Holmes with only 16 seconds left.

With the loss, Cleveland fell to 3–6.

Coming off a last-second loss to the Jets, the Browns headed to Florida for their Week 11 duel with theJacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars struck first on a 47-yard field goal byJosh Scobee. In the second quarter, the Browns took the lead with an 11-yard pass fromColt McCoy toPeyton Hillis. But the Jaguars responded withDavid Garrard completing a 5-yard pass toMike Thomas, and they took a 10–7 lead into halftime. In the third, the Jaguars turned the ball over on five straight possessions, but the Browns could only convert them into ten points, taking a 17–10 lead. In the fourth,Marcedes Lewis had a 14-yard touchdown reception, tying the game. The Browns retook the lead on aPhil Dawson field goal, but the Jaguars struck back withMaurice Jones-Drew running it in from a yard out. McCoy drove the Browns down the field, butSean Considine intercepted his final pass, and the Jaguars defeated the Browns, 24–20.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–7.

The Browns returned home for a Week 12 duel with theCarolina Panthers after suffering back-to-back last-second losses.Jake Delhomme returned to quarterback for Cleveland against his former team after missing eight games with an ankle injury. The Panthers scored on their opening possession on a 26-yard run byMike Goodson, but the Browns stormed back, withPeyton Hillis rushing for a touchdown on three consecutive possessions. Carolina added two field goals byJohn Kasay to end the half, and the Browns led 21–13. In the third quarter, the Browns' offense fell apart, failing to score and turning the ball over twice.Captain Munnerlyn returned an interception for a touchdown, pulling the Panthers within one. In the fourth quarter, Kasay hit a 43-yard field goal to give the Panthers the lead, butPhil Dawson returned the favor and put the Browns back on top. In the final minute, Panthers' QBJimmy Clausen drove his team down the field, but Kasay's 42-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright as time expired, and the Browns held on to win, 24–23

With the win, the Browns improved to 4–7. This marked the Browns' first victory over the Panthers in franchise history, as the Browns lost each of the three previous meetings.

After the game, CBJoe Haden was named the Defensive Rookie of the Month for November. In four games during the month, Haden recorded 15 tackles, seven defended passes, and three interceptions. He became the first Browns' player to ever win this award.^[48]

The Browns, coming off a close victory over the Panthers, headed toSun Life Stadium for their Week 13 battle against theMiami Dolphins. After a scoreless first quarter, the Browns scored first on aPhil Dawson 32-yard field goal. The Dolphins tied it at the half withDan Carpenter hitting a 60-yard field goal, the longest in franchise history. In the second half,Benjamin Watson gave the Browns a 10–3 lead with a 3-yard touchdown reception fromJake Delhomme. The Dolphins responded withChad Henne driving Miami down the field and tying the game with an 11-yard touchdown pass toAnthony Fasano. Late in the fourth quarter,Mike Adams intercepted Henne's pass and returned it to the 2. The Browns bled out the clock, and Dawson hit the game-winning field goal as time expired, giving the Browns a 13–10 victory.

With the win, the Browns improved to 5–7, matching their win total from the2009 season.

The Browns headed to New York to take on theBuffalo Bills for their Week 14 duel. It was a low-scoring affair due to the freezing rain pelting the field for much of the game. On their opening drive, the Browns drove down to the Bills' one-yard line but could not get into the end. KickerPhil Dawson kicked a 19-yard field goal in the first quarter. In the second quarter,Ryan Fitzpatrick connected withDavid Nelson on an 11-yard pass for the game's only touchdown, giving the Bills a 7–3 lead. Dawson hit another field goal to pull the Browns within one, but aRian Lindell 30-yard field goal gave the Bills a 10–6 lead at the half. Several turnovers in the second half stopped the Browns from making progress down the field, and another Lindell field goal in the fourth quarter sent the Browns to a 13–6 loss. The lone high point for the Browns wasPeyton Hillis, who became the first white running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season in 25 years.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 5–8 and were eliminated from playoff contention. This marks the eighth consecutive season in which the Browns failed to make the playoffs, a franchise record.

Colt McCoy returned for the Cleveland Browns' week 15 Battle of Ohio against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns scored on their opening drive on a 20-yard pass from McCoy toRobert Royal. The Bengals answered withCedric Benson's 18-yard run to tie the game. Over the rest of the second and third quarters,Clint Stitser hit three field goals to give the Bengals a 16–7 lead. After trading field goals in the fourth, the Browns got within two on a 46-yard pass toBrian Robiskie. However, the Browns failed to stop a third down conversion on the Bengals' next possession, and the Browns lost 19–17.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 5–9 and finished the season 2–6 on the road.

The Browns stayed home for their Week 16 AFC North battle with the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns scored first on a touchdown pass from wide receiverMohamed Massaquoi to wide receiverBrian Robiskie. In the second quarter, the Ravens stormed back, with two field goals byBilly Cundiff and a touchdown pass fromJoe Flacco toT. J. Houshmandzadeh.Phil Dawson hit a field goal late in the quarter to send the Browns into halftime down 13–10. The Browns opened the second half with a failed onside kick, which led to aDerrick Mason touchdown reception, and the Browns lost 20–10.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 5–10.

Hoping to close out their season on a positive note, the Browns stayed at home for a Week 17 AFC North rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland trailed early in the first quarter as Steelers quarterbackBen Roethlisberger threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMike Wallace, followed by running backRashard Mendenhall getting a 1-yard touchdown run. The Browns answered in the second quarter with a 19-yard field goal from kickerPhil Dawson, but Pittsburgh struck back with Mendenhall's 1-yard touchdown run, followed by Roethlisberger's 4-yard touchdown pass to tight endHeath Miller, and kickerShaun Suisham booting a 41-yard field goal.

The Steelers would add onto their lead in the third quarter as wide receiverAntwaan Randle El completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverHines Ward. Afterwards, Pittsburgh closed out its dominating day in the fourth quarter with Suisham making a 24-yard field goal. Cleveland would close out the game with rookie quarterbackColt McCoy finding wide receiverBrian Robiskie on a 20-yard touchdown pass, sending the Browns to their worst loss of the season, 41–9.

With the loss, the Browns closed out their season at 5–11, matching their 2009 record. They were 3–5 at home.

The day after the season ended, team presidentMike Holmgren fired head coachEric Mangini after going 10–22 in two seasons.

Despite the team's poor performance, offensive tackleJoe Thomas^[49] and centerAlex Mack^[50] were named to the AFC roster in the2011 Pro Bowl. Thomas, who was making his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, was the team's starting left tackle.^[49] Mack was originally selected as the second alternate at center, but was placed on the team after an injury toNick Mangold of theNew York Jets andMaurkice Pouncey of the Pittsburgh Steelers not being able to play because of the Steelers playing inSuper Bowl XLV the following week.^[50]

In addition to Thomas and Mack, six Browns' players were named as alternates: RBPeyton Hillis and GEric Steinbach were named as second alternates; KR Josh Cribbs, STRay Ventrone and FBLawrence Vickers third alternates; and CBJoe Haden a fourth alternate at their respective positions.^[49]

• 2010 Cleveland Browns at Pro Football Reference
• 2010 Cleveland Browns Statistics at jt-sw.com
• 2010 Cleveland Browns Schedule at jt-sw.com
• 2010 Cleveland Browns at DatabaseFootball.com

• Cleveland Browns seasons
• 2010 NFL season by team
• 2010 in sports in Ohio

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