PERFECT PATRIOTS SINK BROWNS
Taking advantage of three first-half interceptions, Tom Brady and the
New England Patriots built a sizeable halftime lead before posting a 34-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Although first-time starter Derek Anderson came in leading the Browns to two wins in their last three games, he was intercepted twice by Junior Seau in the opening half. It was the first two interceptions for the veteran linebacker since 2002.
Cornerback Asante Samuel had an interception and forced another one in the first half, as New England (5-0) took advantage of the turnovers to race out to a 20-0 lead.
Brady threw three touchdown passes, completing 22-of-38 passes for 265 yards, and tying an NFL record in the process.
Brady joined Steve Young as the only quarterbacks to throw at least three TDs in five consecutive games to begin a season.
Young accomplished the feat for San Francisco in 1998.
The loss spoiled the homecoming of Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel and linebacker Willie McGinest, both of whom played key roles in bringing Super Bowl titles to New England.
Crennel is in his third season as the Browns coach after serving as the Patriots' defensive coordinator from 2001-04.
The linebacker McGinest spent his first 12 seasons of his career with New England before signing with Cleveland in 2006.
With New England leading just 3-0 and Cleveland threatening to take the lead at the 1-yard line, Samuel tipped a pass from Anderson on third-and-goal. The ball was hauled in by Seau, ending the Cleveland threat.
Samuel added his own interception with 2:33 remaining in the first, giving the New England Patriots the ball at the Browns' 34-yard-line.
On the next play, Brady found Donte Stallworth in the left flat, with the receiver breaking free of the grips of Leigh Bodden and racing into the end zone for his first score for a 10-0 lead.
Cleveland (2-3) did not break through until midway through the third quarter on Phil Dawson's 42-yard field goal.
Early in the fourth, Anderson, who was 22-of-43 for 287 yards, found Tim Carter down the left sideline for a 21-yard diving touchdown, cutting the deficit to 20-10.
But Brady responded, engineering a nine-play, 71-yard drive that was capped off by a 25-yard TD to wide-open tight end Ben Watson.
It was the second touchdown of the day for Watson, who finished with a career-high 107 yards on six receptions.
The Browns made another charge, closing within 27-17 when Anderson found tight end Kellen Winslow for a 14-yard TD with 5:56 remaining.
However, Winslow was stripped off the ball on Cleveland's ensuing possession by cornerback Randall Gay, who raced 15 yards for a touchdown with 42 seconds left to seal the scoring.
In addition to the three interceptions, Anderson was sacked three times, including twice by Tedy Bruschi. The Patriots' defensive captain now has 30 1/2 sacks in his career.
New England safety Rodney Harrison played but did not start in his first game since serving an NFL-mandated four-game suspension for admitted HGH use.
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