Rams benefit from Browns' ineptness, win 13-12

CLEVELAND -- The St. Louis Rams thought they were finished, a gallant attempt falling a little short.

And then, the Cleveland Browns snapped.

Phil Dawson missed a 22-yard field goal with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left after the snap from center hit a teammate's foot and bounced back to the holder, allowing the Rams to escape with a 13-12 win despite a rash of key injuries.

Some St. Louis players were planning for a final drive while others braced for the worst as Dawson lined up for his chip shot. But when the kick barely got off the ground and sailed wide, the Rams (2-7) felt luckier than they have all season.

"I thought this stuff only happened to the Rams," running back Steven Jackson joked. "I didn't think it happened to other teams."

Cleveland Browns' Brad Maynard (7) reacts after kicker Phil Dawson (4) missed a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter ofan NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, in Cleveland. The Rams won 13-12. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Jackson rushed for 128 yards, Sam Bradford threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd and Josh Brown kicked a pair of field goals -- the last with 7:42 left -- for the Rams, who lost a heartbreaker in overtime last week to Arizona.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the win can only help his team's mental health.

"It didn't go our way, and to lose that way is tough," he said of the 19-13 loss to the Cardinals. "Every one of these wins, every one we're going to get the rest of the season, is going to be a scratch, claw, grab, and try to survive just like we did here. Find a way to make a play at the end. Maybe a little luck, we'll take that, too."

The Browns (3-6) seemed moments from victory when Dawson trotted onto the field.

In a snap, they were seconds from despair.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs (16) is upended by St. Louis Rams cornerback Josh Gordy (38) as St. Louis Rams strong safety Darian Stewart (20) as free safety Quintin Mikell (27) move in during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

"You leave with a helpless feeling. It's tough," Browns quarterback Colt McCoy said. "We should have won -- more than once. You kind of scratch your head and wonder, 'Where is all this bad luck coming from? Why?'"

Dawson made four field goals in blustery conditions, but his final attempt fluttered left of the upright, capping a series of late gaffes by the Browns (3-6), who were booed by their fans as they left the field.

Cleveland's Ryan Pontbriand, a Pro Bowler considered the NFL's best long snapper, hiked the ball cleanly but it caromed off the right foot of center Alex Mack, who lines up at left guard on field-goal attempts. The ball skipped back to holder Brad Maynard, who managed to place it for Dawson. However, the 13-year veteran's timing was thrown off and Dawson missed the chip shot.

Bradford was on the sideline devising a two-minute drive with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as Dawson lined up.

"I was going through my mind the reads I'd have to make and some of the balls I'd have to throw," said Bradford, who went 15 of 26 for 155 yards with a TD and an interception. "We were talking about what we'd see from them on defense and what we were expecting to call. I was trying to get myself mentally prepared to lead our team back down and score points."

St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Ben Leber (59) recovers a fumble by Cleveland Browns' Joshua Cribbs (16) in the fourth quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, in Cleveland. The Rams won 13-12. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

He didn't have to as the Rams, who opened the season 0-6, ran out the clock and got their second win in three weeks.

St. Louis had six players injured, including Bradford, who took a knee to the thigh in the third quarter and came out for one play. He missed two games earlier this season with a high ankle sprain.

Jackson was among the healthy, and he ran like a mad man.

"He's running possessed," Bradford said about his teammate. "He's running hard. He looks great."

Jackson laughed and agreed with his QB's comment.

Rams linebacker Ben Leber recovers a fumble by Browns punt returner Joshua Cribbs (16) during the fourth quarter Sunday in Cleveland. The recovery led to the game-winning field goal in the Rams' 13-12 victory. The Rams' Eugene Sims (92) and David Nixon (53), who forced the fumble, look on. (Amy Sancetta ~ Associated Press)

"It's kind of scary," he said. "I look forward to Sundays. I look forward to taking over. I am a man possessed on Sundays. To be honest with you, that's the way you should play."

Brown's 34-yard field goal gave the Rams a 13-12 lead with 7:42 remaining. That score was set up by a fumble by Browns return specialist Josh Cribbs, who was stripped trying to get extra yards on a punt return by Rams linebacker David Nixon.

Nixon noticed Cribbs can be nonchalant with the ball while getting ready for the Browns.

"We saw that he likes to have the ball exposed and he doesn't secure it very well," Nixon said. "We ran him down and he was trying to avoid Craig Dahl. I saw the ball exposed so I went for the ball knowing we needed a big play, and I got it out."

Noteworthy

Rams players celebrate as Browns kicker Phil Dawson walks off the field after missing a potential game-winning, 22-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter Sunday. (Mark Duncan ~ Associated Press)

* Five Rams did not return after getting hurt. Spagnuolo said cornerback Al Harris and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui have "significant" knee injuries. Running back Cadillac Williams strained his calf running onto the field. Offensive tackle Rodger Saffold suffered a head injury and safety Darian Stewart hurt his neck.