Parting Shot for Browns a Dud, 24-21

It was hardly a fitting way for the Browns to end their glorious history in Cleveland.

The franchise that has won 369 games and four NFL championships lost to the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-21, on Mike Hollis’ 34-yard field goal as time expired Sunday.

If Brown owner Art Modell has his way, the team will head to Baltimore for next season. Though the move could still be held up in the courts or by the other NFL owners, the players seem resigned to moving east in 1996.

“This game was sentimental for a lot of guys,” quarterback Vinny Testaverde said.

With Jim Brown watching from the sideline, Cleveland (5-11) rallied to tie the game, 21-21, on Testaverde’s one-yard quarterback sneak with 1:13 remaining.

The game appeared set for overtime. But Tim Jacobs was called for a 35-yard pass-interference penalty, moving the Jaguars (4-12) to the Browns’ 20 with 16 seconds remaining.

“The ball lands two yards out of bounds and 10 yards over the [receiver’s] head,” Brown Coach Bill Belichick complained. “I mean, it’s ridiculous. But there’s no point in talking about it now, because it would just sound like sour grapes.”

One play later, Hollis attempted a 39-yard field goal that struck the right upright and bounced away while the Cleveland sideline celebrated. But several defenders had jumped across the line before the snap, giving Hollis another chance five yards closer.

“I knew they had jumped offsides and I basically kind of pulled my head a little and slowed down,” Hollis said.

His next kick, straight down the middle, may be the last memory Cleveland fans have of their beloved team, which entered the NFL in 1950--after four years and four titles in the All-America Football Conference--and had a record of 369-256-10 over 46 seasons.

By winning, the Jaguars cost themselves the No. 1 pick in the college draft, which will go to the Jets. But Coach Tom Coughlin said, “It’s a great way to go into the offseason.”

Mark Brunell threw for 275 yards and showed little effect of the hamstring injury that kept him out the previous week.

He ran five times for a team-high 51 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown run.