FOXBORO, Mass., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Troy Brown returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown Sunday, fueling the New England Patriots to a 27-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Brown picked up a pair of blocks and raced untouched for the decisive score, giving New England a 17-10 lead 5:21 into the second quarter.
The punt return matched the second longest for a score in team history. Irving Fryar also had an 85-yarder at Buffalo in 1985.
Antowain Smith added a pair of short touchdown runs for the Patriots (8-5), who earned their third straight win and moved within a game of Miami (8-3) for first place in the AFC East. Miami hosts Indianapolis Monday night.
Cornerback Corey Fuller returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown and Phil Dawson kicked three field goals for the Browns (6-6), who hurt their postseason chances with their second straight loss.
