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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 1:24 p.m., Sunday, October 26, 2008

NFL: Big plays lift Browns over Jaguars, 23-17

By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Cleveland Browns had just enough offense, even without Kellen Winslow.

Jamal Lewis ran for 81 yards and a touchdown, Derek Anderson completed three huge passes and the Browns beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 today.

It was Cleveland's second victory in as many games without Winslow, the outspoken Pro Bowl tight end who missed the game after criticizing the team following his staph infection. The Browns (3-4) played their best game of the season two weeks ago while Winslow was in the hospital and beat the New York Giants 35-14.

They didn't miss him against the Jaguars (3-4), either.

Anderson finished 14-of-27 for 264 yards and a touchdown. He had 168 yards passing in the first half, including a 5-yard TD toss to Donte' Stallworth; a 51-yard completion to Winslow's replacement, Steve Heiden, on fourth down; and a 43-yarder to Braylon Edwards that set up a short field goal.

His 53-yard strike to Syndric Steptoe in the fourth period may have been even bigger. It set up Phil Dawson's second of three field goals that put the Browns ahead for good with 4:35 remaining.

Jaguars rookie Brian Witherspoon fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Dawson kicked a 42-yarder.

Jacksonville had two late chances to take the lead and got to the Cleveland 26-yard line with 16 seconds remaining. But Matt Jones bobbled a pass in the end zone that could have won the game. The ball eventually bounced off Nick Sorensen's helmet and out of bounds.

The Jags fell to 2-4 following bye weeks under coach Jack Del Rio. They had hoped to sweep a three-game stretch against Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit to get back in the AFC playoff picture. Now, though, they're even behind the Browns.

Jacksonville's problems started in pregame warmups when guard Chris Naeole, expected to play for the first time since injuring his quadriceps last season, injured his right hand and was pulled from the starting lineup.

Without him, the Jaguars struggled to contain defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.

Rogers finished with nine tackles, a sack and a blocked a field goal. He kept running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew from getting anything up the middle and pressured Garrard all afternoon.

Garrard finished 25-of-42 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team with 59 yards rushing, but was sacked three times. Taylor and Jones-Drew ran for a combined 53 yards.

The Browns were sharp early, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal in their first four possessions. Most of the points came off big plays.

Heiden's long reception came on fourth-and-1 near midfield. The Jaguars swarmed the underneath receivers, but left Heiden streaking alone down the middle. Cornerback Brian Williams made a touchdown-saving tackle, but Lewis scored two plays later to put the Browns ahead 14-7.

Del Rio gave his defense a pep talk on the sideline after the big play, but it didn't seem to change much.

Anderson hooked up with Edwards on Cleveland's next play, and Dawson's 31-yarder made it 17-7 late in the first half.

Del Rio might have had more choice words in the locker room, because his team certainly looked much better after the break. Garrard completed a 32-yard pass to Reggie Williams on the first play of the third quarter, sparking a 72-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard TD pass to Jones.