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Anderson rallies Browns past winless Rams

Oct 29, 2007 - 5:10 PM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Derek Anderson continues to lead the Cleveland Browns' resurgence.

Anderson threw three touchdown passes Sunday as the Browns rallied from a early 14-point deficit to post a 27-20 victory over the hapless St. Louis Rams.

Cleveland (4-3) overcame an early 14-0 deficit to move over .500 and win consecutive games for the first time since 2003.

"He's been producing," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "He continues to get better. He's been able to put points on the board."

The Browns have benefited from back-to-back games against winless opponents, beating the Miami Dolphins before their bye last week.

Still, Anderson has pumped life into what had been one of the NFL's worst offenses in recent years.

The Oregon State product completed 18-of-24 passes for 248 yards against the Rams and has tossed 17 touchdowns since taking over for Charlie Frye in Week Two.

Anderson came into the week ranked third in the NFL in TD passes, trailing only New England's Tom Brady and Dallas' Tony Romo.

"It's good to win on the road, especially since we have a lot of road games down the stretch," Anderson said.

Braylon Edwards had a career-high eight receptions for 117 yards and two TDs, including a 5-yard TD catch that gave Cleveland a 24-17 lead with 8:44 remaining in the third quarter.

"He's (Anderson) putting the ball in spots," Edwards said. "He's putting balls in spots where he's giving me a chance."

Things continue to go from bad to worse for the Rams (0-8), who continued the worst start in franchise history and once again lost running back Steven Jackson.

After missing four games with a groin injury, Jackson returned Sunday and provided an early spark. He scored on a 2-yard TD run to give the Rams a 7-0 lead and carried eight time for 41 yards.

But Jackson's return was short-lived as he left in the second quarter with an apparent back injury.

"It was a back spasm, overcompensation with my groin," Jackson said.

St. Louis reached Cleveland's 46 on its final drive, but cornerback Leigh Bodden's interception ended the Rams' hopes. It was St. Louis' league-leading 24th turnover of the season.

"I know there are a lot of people here pulling for us," St. Louis coach Scott Linehan said. "It is excruciatingly painful. I think we left a lot of effort on the field."

Marc Bulger played well for St. Louis, completing 24-of-36 passes for 310 yards, but the Rams were held to only a field goal in the second half.

"Steven Jackson wasn't in anymore and he brings so much to our team," Bulger said. "He's an electric guy and he got hurt and it changed our team, plain and simple."

The Rams scored touchdown on their first two possessions, but the momentum started to turn when Brian Leonard - Jackson's replacement - was stopped for no gain on 4th-and-1 from the Browns 33 early in the second quarter.

Edwards ignited the Browns' offense, tossing TD passes of 12 yards to Edwards and 21 yards to Kellen Winslow to give Cleveland a 17-14 lead.

"I was just frustrated the way we came out," Anderson said. "We didn't play well in the first couple drives and blew some opportunities, getting down close, and we didn't get points."

The Rams tied it on Jeff Wilkins' 46-yard field goal with three seconds left in the first half.

But the Browns took control with a 12-play, 80-yard drive to start the second half that Anderson capped with his second TD strike to Edwards.

"It looks like we are coming together," said Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 61 yards on 17 carries. "We haven't played our best ball yet."