FOXBORO, Mass. - The Patriots keep winning despite injuries - and the Browns keep losing with them.

That happened again Sunday when New England won 9-3 as Cleveland played without its best runner and four starters in the offensive line.

''I wish I had a magic salve to rub on all these injuries and make them well,'' Browns coach Butch Davis said.

The Patriots took a more realistic approach after losing linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and guard Mike Compton for the season and playing the last seven games without linebacker Ted Johnson (broken foot) and the last five without nose tackle Ted Washington (broken leg).

They've confused opponents with defensive schemes executed by capable substitutes and won six of their last seven to lead the AFC East with a 6-2 record.

''The team made a decision that no matter who was in there, we were going to go in there and fight,'' quarterback Tom Brady said.

Linebacker Mike Vrabel had three sacks in his second game after missing three with a broken arm. Cornerback Ty Law, hobbled most of the season by an injured ankle, intercepted a pass with 51 seconds left, ending the Browns' last series.

''I want to play even if I'm hurt,'' Law said. ''You take a chance every time you go out there. It's a physical game, a violent game.''

Cleveland's quarterbacks felt that as Tim Couch was sacked once by Vrabel before leaving with a sprained right thumb, and Kelly Holcomb was sacked twice by Vrabel while playing just five weeks after his right leg was broken.

''Tim took the (practice) snaps this week and he was going to be the starter,'' Holcomb said. ''I had a little soreness in my leg and wasn't sure I could play the whole game.''

Cleveland (3-5) lost the previous Sunday to San Diego, 26-20, when Holcomb replaced a struggling Couch and William Green left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury.

Against the Patriots, the Browns managed just Phil Dawson's 29-yard field goal 24 seconds before halftime that tied the game 3-3.

Adam Vinatieri kicked three field goals for the Patriots, a 27-yarder on their first drive, a 28-yarder in the third quarter and a 38-yarder with 2:05 left in the game.

''You never know when a few points are going to make a difference in a game,'' Vinatieri said.

They did Sunday when the teams totaled just 12 points and the crowd had little to get excited about. The Browns crossed midfield once, and the Patriots had only three field goals despite getting to Cleveland's 20 or closer four times.

''It may have looked ugly, but a win is a win,'' Law said.

The Patriots won their fourth straight game and have allowed just 22 points - and one touchdown - in their last three.

''I'm not a stat guy,'' defensive lineman Richard Seymour said. ''If we give up a lot or zero points, the only stats you should worry about are wins and losses.''

The Browns began the game with the NFL's sixth stingiest defense and kept the Patriots out of the end zone, but their offense managed just 203 yards.

It didn't help that the offensive line was patched together, the AFC's fifth leading rusher entering the game was sidelined and Holcomb, who replaced Couch midway through the second quarter, took too few snaps in practice.

''It's not easy for anybody to take 25 to 30 percent when you're getting ready for someone you assume is going to be complicated defensively,'' Davis said. ''You've got to give one guy the lion's share of the work.''

That helped Vrabel get his sacks.

''We worked all week on just trying to confuse whatever quarterback was in the game,'' he said.

One bright spot for Cleveland was the 18 tackles, 16 unassisted, by linebacker Ben Taylor.

''You have to feel like if you can hold people to three field goals, you put yourself in a position to try and win the game,'' Davis said.

They did try, but they didn't win.

''The defense gave us a chance to stay in the game,'' Couch said. ''We just couldn't take advantage of it.''

Notes: Cleveland is 8-4 in its last 12 road games. … New England's Kevin Faulk rushed for a career-high 96 yards on 23 carries. … Cleveland's James Jackson gained 71 yards on 15 carries as Green's replacement.