Rams 36, Broncos 33

Sam Bradford threw three first-half touchdown passes, including a pair to tight end Billy Bajema, and the St. Louis Rams held off the Denver Broncos 36-33 on Sunday to move into a first-place tie in the NFC West.

The Rams (5-6) erased an early 10-0 deficit and scored 26 straight points to take a 33-13 lead in the third quarter.

Denver’s Kyle Orton threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a pair to Brandon Lloyd. The second made it 36-33 with 2:40 left.

The Broncos got the ball back at their own 34 with 1:06 remaining, but turned it over on downs.

Bradford threw for 216 yards in the first half, including a 36-yard score to tight end Michael Hoomanawanui. He finished 22 of 37 for 308 yards.

Knowshon Moreno had a 4-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and 118 yards from scrimmage for the Broncos (3-8), who have lost 16 of their last 21 games after starting the 2009 season 6-0.

Orton was 24 of 41 for 347 yards. Lloyd finished with 76 yards and leads the NFL with 1,122. Eddie Royal had a touchdown catch.

Kenneth Darby had a 1-yard touchdown run and Josh Brown kicked three field goals, including two in the final minute of the first half, for the Rams.

Final1st2nd3rd4thScore
Denver BroncosBroncos10302033
Los Angeles RamsRams7197336
Denver
Passing:Kyle Orton 24/41 (347 YDS)
Rushing:Knowshon Moreno 12 CAR (56 YDS)
Receiving:Brandon Lloyd 4 REC (76 YDS)
L.A. Rams
Passing:Sam Bradford 22/37 (308 YDS)
Rushing:Steven Jackson 29 CAR (72 YDS)
Receiving:Danario Alexander 4 REC (95 YDS)