In a driving snowstorm, the Steelers capped their first year at Heinz Field with a 28-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the 99th meeting between the long-time AFC Central Division rivals.
Having already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Steelers rebounded from last week's loss to Cincinnati to finish 13-3, their best mark since going 14-2 in 1978 under Chuck Knoll.
Wide receiver Troy Edwards came up with the key play, returning Benjamin Gay's fumble 32 yards for a touchdown on the second-half kickoff to snap a 7-7 tie.
Tommy Maddox, who took over for Kordell Stewart in the second half, put away the contest with a 40-yard TD pass to Bobby Shaw with seven seconds left in the third period. Pittsburgh made it 28-7 on rookie R.J. Bowers' 21-yard TD run with 7:31 left in the game.
The Browns completed their first season under Butch Davis with a 7-9 record.
Pittsburgh running back Jerome Betttis missed his fifth straight game with hip and groin injuries. The "Bus" was ready to return Sunday but because of the conditions, Cowher elected to keep him on the bench.
Bettis' replacement, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, rushed for 98 yards on 17 carries before leaving with a groin injury late in the third quarter. He did not return.
Stewart completed 8-of-16 passes for 72 yards and two interceptions, both on deflections. The NFL's leading rusher among quarterbacks, he also ran for 32 yards on four carries to go over the 500-yard mark.
The first interception of Stewart by cornerback Raymond Jackson gave the Browns possession at the Steelers 27. Rookie receiver Quincy Morgan's 24-yard run on a reverse set up Jamel White's three-yard TD run that gave Cleveland a 7-0 lead with 3:29 left in the first period.
The Steelers answered with an eight-play, 73-yard drive, tying the contest on Fuamatu-Ma'afala's 17-yard TD scamper 1:22 into the second period.
