• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Anderson, Edwards help Browns outslug Dolphins

Oct 14, 2007 - 10:05 PM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards are becoming quite a tandem.

Anderson tossed three touchdowns - all to Edwards - as the Cleveland Browns defeated the winless Miami Dolphins, 41-31, on Sunday.

Anderson, who finished 18-of-25 for 245 yards, tossed touchdown passes of 24, 5 and 16 yards to Edwards.

The latter two touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, when the Browns (3-3) pulled away from the Dolphins (0-6).

"You feel good when your offense can move the ball down the field and score," Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said. "We had to rally in the fourth quarter after Miami came back. Our offense helped us rally and picked us up when we gave up a score."

Edwards finished the day with five catches for 67 yards and the three scores.

"Derek is growing as a quarterback," Edwards said. "He's continuing to get better. (Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski) is showing a lot of confidence in his players."

The victory was the third straight at home for the Browns.

"(Anderson) did a nice job of managing the game, taking what the defense gave him and not trying to force things. That's a sign of maturity," Crennel said. "To be able to get this win against a team that you are supposed to beat, I think that's a plus."

After Miami had pulled to within 27-24 at 2:44 of the third quarter, Cleveland answered with a 12-play, 66-yard drive to reclaim the momentum. Anderson's 5-yard scoring toss to Edwards finished the drive.

The Dolphins have lost nine straight games dating to last season.

"It's very humbling for the simple fact we have high expectations for ourselves," Miami linebacker Joey Porter said. "You work so hard to get them down third-and-long and that is supposed to be the money down where you get them off the field.

"We haven't really got the third down situation fixed yet."

Anderson and Edwards later capped a nine-play, 67-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown with 4:34 to play.

"I am really happy with the way guys have responded after that first week (a 34-7 loss to Pittsburgh)," Anderson said. "I'm really happy with the way guys have rallied around me."

Trailing, 27-10, at half, the Dolphins took the second-half kick and drove 75 yards on 14 plays. Miami quarterback Cleo Lemon scored the first of his two rushing TDs, pushing in from five yards out.

After forcing Cleveland to punt on the next possession, Lemon found rookie Ted Ginn Jr. for 32 yards to move the ball to the Cleveland 20. Three plays later, Lemon scored from one yard out to pull Miami within three at 27-24.

Lemon finished 24-of-43 for 256 yards and two touchdown passes.

The Browns' decisive drive began with Anderson hooking up with tight end Kellen Winslow for 20 yards to the Miami 46.

Facing a 3rd-and-5, Anderson hit Joe Jurevicius over the middle for 10 yards to the Miami 31. Jason Wright carried six of the next seven plays before Anderson connected with Edwards.

"We are putting up points, but we can get better," Winslow said.

Miami added a late touchdown after defensive end Jason Taylor recovered a fumble. Lemon threw a second touchdown pass to David Martin - a 4-yarder - with 1:34 to play.

The Browns piled up 384 yards of total offense against an ineffective Miami defense.