Browns...27 Texans...17
CLEVELAND -- No drama, controversy or overtime needed. The Cleveland Browns finally won normally.
Derek Anderson threw two touchdown passes, Jamal Lewis rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown and Kellen Winslow had 10 catches as the Browns improved their playoff profile with a 27-17 win over the Houston Texans.
With their fifth straight victory at home and fifth in six games overall, the Browns (7-4) stayed within striking distance of first-place Pittsburgh in the AFC North and among the wild-card contenders.
And for the first time in four weeks, they didn’t have to sweat out the final seconds.
The Browns’ three previous games had all been decided by three points, two in overtime. Last week, they needed a 51-yard field goal at the end of regulation by Phil Dawson to force overtime against Baltimore.
The Texans (5-6) weren’t able to do much against Cleveland’s league-worst defense, which was missing two injured starters.
Quoteworthy: “I told you we were going to turn some heads.” -- Kellen Winslow, Browns tight end
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
