American Football: Williams steers Rams into play-offs

Aeneas Williams left Kelly Holcomb in tears on the touchline and put the St Louis Rams into the play-offs.

Williams had a pair of interceptions in the final 75 seconds of the first half, including one for a touchdown, as the Rams extended their winning streak to five games with a 26-20 triumph over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.

The win moved St Louis two games ahead of Seattle in the NFC West and the Rams can clinch the division with a victory over the Seahawks on Sunday.

The Rams held a 9-7 lead late in the half when Williams picked off Holcomb and ran the ball back 46 yards for a touchdown, his ninth career interception return for a score. After the ensuing kick-off, the veteran picked off another pass with 39 seconds to go to set up Marc Bulger's 16-yard touchdown pass for a 23-7 half-time cushion.

The Browns (4-9) rallied in the second half under the back-up quarterback, Tim Couch, who passed for two touchdowns, but the surging Rams (10-3) held on for their ninth win in 10 games.

The Rams attack has become used to taking the plaudits, but on Monday night it was their defence - and in particular Williams - who came up with the big plays.

"I was able to read the quarterback and get a break on the ball," he said. "It was just what we needed going into the second half. We knew this would be a tough place to get a win."

Jeff Wilkins added four field goals for St Louis, the second of the four a club-record 31st of the season. He now shares the NFL lead with the Indianapolis Colts' kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, who produced a perfect five-out-of-five kicks on Sunday.