NOTEBOOK Browns vs. Steelers

Moving up: In the first quarter, Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress caught an 11-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to move past Yancey Thigpen for ninth-place on the franchise's career receiving mark. Thigpen accumulated 3,641 yards from 1992-97. Later, Burress passed Roy Jefferson (3,671) for eighth place. Also in the first quarter, wide receiver Hines Ward made a one-handed catch of a Roethlisberger toss for 16 yards. That yardage moved him past Lynn Swann (5,462 yards from 1974-82) for third place on the Steelers' career list. "When you think of a Steelers wideout, [you think of John] Stallworth and Swann, two Hall of Famers," said Ward. "Being it's my seventh year to pass a guy like Lynn Swann ... I'll have to take time this offseason to reflect about it, but it's a great accomplishment."
Streaks extended: Cleveland's Phil Dawson kicked a 25-yard field goal in the first quarter. It was his ninth straight field goal of the season and Sunday's game was Dawson's 19th straight that he's converted a field goal. Dawson added field goals of 34 yards in the second quarter and 46 yards in the third.
Injury: Steelers safety Mike Logan reinjured a hamstring injury in the third quarter. Coach Bill Cowher said the time Logan misses to recover could be significant.
Another Bus score: Tailback Jerome Bettis scored his sixth touchdown of the season on a 3-yard run in the third quarter. Bettis has 64 rushing touchdowns in his career and 386 points as a Steeler, passing Stallworth (384) for fifth place on the franchise scoring list.
Challenge failed: Cowher credited Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia for a key play that led to a second-quarter field goal. Cowher challenged whether Garcia had crossed the line of scrimmage on a 35-yard completion to tight end Aaron Shea. "I don't know how he had the sense to keep his toe behind the line," Cowher said. "That was a heckuva play." The Steelers lost the replay challenge.
Scouting Staley: The Browns struggled to stop the Steelers' running game, which gained 170 yards. Duce Staley led the attack with 117 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. "He's a tough back," Browns safety Chris Crocker said. "He's overshadowed because they're so many good backs in the NFL. Duce is a big guy [5-11, 242], and he makes a lot of people miss. He has quick feet and good vision." Bettis added 34 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, seeing most of his action late after Staley's groin began bothering him, Cowher said.
Ending all hope: Cleveland tried to mount some sort of rally late in the game, only to be denied when Garcia couldn't handle a poor snap from center Jeff Faine. Trailing 34-23 with six minutes remaining, the Browns drove from their own 23 to Pittsburgh's 48 when Garcia lost the handle on the snap. Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans recovered with 4:26 remaining. "It was a good snap, and I just didn't handle it," Garcia said. The Browns never threatened thereafter.
Series: The Browns lead the all-time series, 55-50, with 34 of those wins coming in Cleveland. Since 1970, the Steelers have won 41 of 65 games.
Coming up: The Browns will be at home for the next two games: Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) and Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. against the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0). The Browns' open date is Oct. 31. The Steelers travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys (3-2) Sunday at 4:15 p.m. After their open date on Oct. 24, the Steelers will be at home on Oct. 31 at 4:15 p.m. against the New England Patriots (5-0) and Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. against the Eagles. In 2001, the Steelers started with a 5-1 record before suffering a second loss.
Tom Williams, Brian Richesson