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Anderson leads Browns to overtime win over Seahawks

Nov 5, 2007 - 2:31 AM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Derek Anderson worked more magic for the Cleveland Browns.

Anderson engineered a game-tying 89-yard drive in the fourth quarter before Phil Dawson kicked a 25-yard field goal in overtime as the Browns rallied for a 33-30 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

"We became a team today," Dawson said. "It's a great win for the city of Cleveland."

The Seahawks (4-4) got the first first possession of overtime and crossed midfield, but a questionable coaching call gave Cleveland excellent field position.

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren elected to go for the first down on 4th-and-inches from the Cleveland 43. The move backfired as Maurice Morris was stopped for no gain.

On the previous play, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck appeared to pick up the first down on a 3rd-and-8 run. But Browns coach Romeo Crennel challenged the spot, and Hasselbeck was ruled down short of the first down.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't make that last fourth down," Holmgren said. "Otherwise, maybe we would have had a crack at kicking the field goal. I just don't think you overturn (the spot) if it's close - unless they saw something that we didn't."

Anderson, who completed 29-of-48 passes for a career-high 364 yards, drove the Browns into position for the winning kick, and Dawson split the uprights with 9:17 remaining.

The key play on the drive was a 34-yard screen pass to Jamal Lewis, who scored a career high with four touchdowns, all on short runs.

"I saw the blitz coming so I just snuck through there," Lewis said. "It was a great opportunity and a great call by the offensive coordinator."

The victory gave the Browns (5-3), who trailed, 21-6, in the first half, their first three-game winning streak since 2001. Cleveland also reached the midpoint of the season over .500 for the first time since 1994.

"My heart's still beating and ticking, and when you win 'em, you feel good about it," Crennel said. "(The fans) believe like this team is beginning to believe, that they can make plays and win a game like this."

Anderson's favorite target was Kellen Winslow, who caught 11 balls for 125 yards - his second 100-yard receiving game of the season.

The Browns trailed, 27-22, when they took over at their 11-yard line with 7:58 remaining. Anderson looked like a veteran, confidently driving his team down field.

During the tying drive, Winslow had four receptions for 45 yards.

Lewis capped the drive with his fourth touchdown of the game - a 1-yard run with 2:21 remaining. Anderson then hit Joe Jurevicius for the two-point conversion pass, giving the Browns a 30-27 lead.

"We didn't do a good enough job of defending (Winslow)," said Seahawks free safety Brian Russell, a former Brown. "I'm not looking for excuses. We just gave up too many points."

Hasselbeck, who completed 30-of-47 passes for 318 yards and two TDs, responded for Seattle, completing five passes on the ensuing drive, including a 12-yarder to Morris that gave the Seahawks a first down at the Browns' 15-yard line.

After an incomplete pass, Morris carried for four yards. With the clock running down, Hasselbeck was able to spike the ball with two seconds left.

Josh Brown kicked a 22-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.

Early on, the Seahawks appeared headed for a rout. After Hasselbeck threw touchdown passes to Bobby Engram and D.J. Hackett, Nate Burleson returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a 21-6 lead.

"I wasn't concerned (about being down at halftime)," Anderson said. "The attitude was to just keep plugging away. Let's not panic. The defense will get a stop."

Dawson kicked a 19-yard field goal with 23 seconds left in the first half, pulling the Browns within 21-9.

Lewis, who rushed for only 37 yards on 20 carries, scored three short TDs in the second half, including a 1-yarder that cut Seattle's lead to 24-22 with 12:48 remaining.

On its ensuing possession, Seattle drove inside the Browns' 10-yard line. But Cleveland's defense stiffened, and Brown converted a 26-yard field goal to give Seattle a 27-22 lead with 7:58 remaining.