PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger threw three short touchdown passes, and the Pittsburgh Steelers avoided their first losing season in nearly a decade with a 24-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Antonio Brown, Leonard Pope and Plaxico Burress scored for the Steelers (8-8), who mustered enough energy to end a disappointing season on a positive note. Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense forced four turnovers as the Steelers won for just the second time in the last six weeks, a slide that knocked them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Cleveland's third-string quarterback, Thaddeus Lewis, passed for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first NFL start. But the Browns (5-11) dropped their third straight in what is likely coach Pat Shurmur's final game on the sideline.

2012 PITTSBURGH STEELERS SCHEDULE

Regular Season

Sunday, Sept. 9 @ Denver L 19-31 

Sunday, Sept. 16 vs New York Jets W 27-10 

Sunday, Sept. 23 @ Oakland L 31-34 

Sunday Sept. 30 BYE 

Sunday, Oct. 7 vs Philadelphia W 16-14 

Thursday, Oct. 11 @ Tennessee L 23-26 

Sunday, Oct.21 @ Cincinnati W 24-17 

Sunday, Oct. 28 vs Washington W 27-12 

Sunday, Nov. 4 @ New York Giants W 34-20 

Monday, Nov. 12 vs Kansas City W 16-13 

Sunday, Nov. 18 vs Baltimore L 10-13 

Sunday, Nov. 25 @ Cleveland L 14-20 

Sunday, Dec. 2 @ Baltimore W 23-20

Sunday, Dec. 9 vs San Diego L 24-34 

Sunday Dec. 16 @ Dallas Cowboys L 24-27 

Sunday, Dec. 23 vs Cincinnati L 10-13 

Saturday, Dec. 30 vs Cleveland W 24-10