Dawson's Late Field Goal Helps Browns Get By Reeling Bills

Buffalo, NY (AHN) - Phil Dawson booted a field goal from 56 yards out in the final two minutes to complete Cleveland's 29-27 victory over Buffalo Monday night, sending the Bills to the bottom of the AFC East.

Dawson's go-ahead conversion wasn't assured until Rian Lindell missed on his own try from 47 yards, giving the Browns a nail-biting escape act at the Ralph Wilson Stadium.

After the Browns went ahead on the field goal, the Bills set themselves up perfectly for the game-winner.

Trent Edwards, who wound up 16-for-26 for 148 yards, found Robert Royal for a 22-yard catch that brought in Buffalo to the Cleveland 34, 1:03 left to play.

Marshawn Lynch, who broke the 100-yard plateau for only the first time this season, rushed three straight times in the next series of plays to reach the Cleveland 29, giving the Bills a clear shot for the win via the field goal.

But the veteran Lindell missed with 38 seconds left. The place kicker has converted from 26 and 31 yards earlier in the game and came in 7-for-9 in field goals from the 40-49 yard range, including one from 53 yards.

The loss couldn't be any costlier for the Bills, whose fourth straight defeat dropped them to 5-5 in the division, one game behind Miami and New England, and two off the pacesetting New York Jets.

The defeat also wasted Lynch's first 100-yard rushing game as the running back amassed 119 yards on the ground on 23 rushes.

He also caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter and ended up with 58 yards on the air on 10 catches.

Brady Quinn went 14-for-36 for 185 yards without a touchdown. He also came out without an interception to record his first victory of the season as a starter.

Jerome Harrison sprinted from 72 yards out for a score early in the fourth period and finished with 80 yards on three rushes.

Jamal Lewis had 65 yards on 18 carries for the Browns (4-6), whose only other victories this season came via an upset of the New York Giants, the 1-8-1 Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Braylon Edwards made eight receptions for 104 yards and tight end Kellen Winslow added 40 yards for the Browns.

Cleveland heads home for a two-game swing against Houston and Indianapolis, while Buffalo aims to rebound with two more sub-.500 teams in the next two weeks-at Kansas City and at home against San Francisco.