The Browns deserved to make the playoffs.
Analysts can crunch numbers, commentators can quibble over close calls and fans can dream about what might have been, but it all comes back to that point.
Cleveland was a better team than Tennessee throughout the regular season, as well as being more exciting and infinitely more entertaining than the Titans.
Yet, thanks to a strange sequence of tiebreakers used by the NFL, the Browns were left out of the postseason Sunday night when Indianapolis lost to Tennessee, 16-10.
The whole situation stinks worse than Cleveland Browns Stadium after its infamous sewage flood last summer.
“It is what it is,” said kick returner Joshua Cribbs, one of the stars in the Browns’ 20-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s finale. “We had an opportunity to win last week (and clinch a spot in Cincinnati), but we didn’t. Even though we did a lot of good things today, that’s why I have mixed emotions.
“We’ve got to come back and get into next season with a chip on our shoulder.”
Cribbs was one of many Cleveland players who appeared resigned to their fate immediately after beating San Francisco earlier in the day.
To a man, they praised the season-long support they received, but spoke of next year instead of next week when discussing the future. It was a realistic viewpoint, seeing as Indianapolis planned on dressing its junior varsity against the Titans.
“The teams that deserve to be in the playoffs make the playoffs,” guard Eric Steinbach said. “We had a great year, but no matter what happens, you can’t look past the records. The best six teams (in the AFC) get in.”
Not this year, they didn’t. The Browns and Tennessee both finished at 10-6, but Cleveland was far more impressive in doing so, ringing up points at a frantic pace.
The Titans, however, were awarded the final playoff spot by virtue of a better record against common opponents.
“We accomplished some of our goals that we set before the season,” safety Sean Jones said. “I like that we were able to stay together as a team. Whenever you win 10 games, it’s a good accomplishment for any team in the NFL.”
It was good, but not good enough, much to the relief of the San Diego Chargers.
Instead of facing a dangerous Browns team in the first round of the playoffs, they drew the perpetually bland Titans.
Tennessee quarterback Vince Young is capable of making a big play from time to time, but his supporting cast pales in comparison to Cribbs, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Jr. and Jamal Lewis.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, the latter quartet will spent next weekend on their couches, rather than on the field at Qualcomm Stadium.
It’s a safe bet that Cribbs and Co. won’t be watching the Chargers-Titans game while they unwind. Ditto for their heartbroken fans, who experienced a roller coaster of emotions Sunday, only to wind up at the bottom of the loop.
“Obviously, we didn’t play as well as we could have throughout the season,” quarterback Derek Anderson said. “I wish I could have a few (of my bad decisions) back, but I’ll get better. It was a great year.”
Contact Brian Dulik at (330) 721-4059 or BRISports@hotmail.com.

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