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.