MIAMI – Two bad teams produced the expected – a bad game – and the Miami Dolphins were a little less awful.

Olindo Mare kicked a 51-yard field goal with 7 seconds left, and Miami edged the Cleveland Browns 10-7 on Sunday night, prompting a big cheer from the 20,000 fans who remained until the finish.

Jim Bates won in the matchup of interim coaches against Terry Robiskie. Bates already knows he’ll be replaced after the season by LSU coach Nick Saban, who accepted the Miami job Saturday.

The Dolphins (4-11) made it two wins in a row for the first time this season, although they hardly looked like the same team that upset defending Super Bowl champion New England last Monday.

Lee Suggs broke Jim Brown’s 45-year-old Cleveland franchise record for carries with 38 for 143 yards, but the Browns (3-12) still lost their ninth straight game.

The teams combined for six turnovers and went 31/2 quarters without a point after an early 7-all tie with impressive ineptitude.

The Dolphins faked a field goal, tried a pooch punt instead and netted 2 yards. They had a 61/2-minute drive that barely reached midfield. Tight end Randy McMichael, who has lobbied for more passes, dropped two. A.J. Feeley drilled a throw 5 yards into the chest of defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, who was too astounded to make the interception.

The Browns lost a fumble at the Miami 2 and had a takeaway negated by a penalty. But the ugliest moment came in the third quarter, with an interception and two fumbles on the same play.

McCown’s deep throw was intercepted by Arturo Freeman, who fumbled. Teammate Patrick Surtain picked up the ball, then lateraled to Sam Madison, who fumbled. The Browns recovered for a net gain of 26 yards.

More comedy came three plays later, when Phil Dawson missed a 43-yard field goal when his attempt hit the right upright.

At least the game didn’t go into overtime, sparing the small crowd some suffering. With the stands more than half-empty, as they have been much of this season in Miami, Pro Player Stadium had all the atmosphere of an August exhibition game.

AP-ES-12-26-04 2345EST