Cleveland 31, Chicago 30

CHICAGO – Matt Bahr’s 51-yard field goal with one tick left on the clock lifted the Cleveland Browns to a sensational season-opening 31-30 victory over the defending Super Bowl champs.

The final drive began from the Browns own 26 with 40 seconds left and was highlighted by two huge Bernie Kosar (21-36-228-2TD-1 Int) to Brian Brennan passes for 14 and 21 yards, respectively.

The need for the 40-second drill came as a result of a brilliant 2-minute drill orchestrated by Doug Flutie to put the Bears up 30-28, and what seemed to be a home-team win. With Chicago trailing 28-23 and 2:33 left, Flutie entered the contest for the first time. He was the third Bears QB to line up behind center. He proceeded to go 5-for-5 with his passes, including 19 and 15 yard connections to Willie Gault. On 1^st and goal from the Clev. 8, Flutie scrambled in for the TD.

Chicago (0-1) drew first blood when “LA” Mike Richardson picked off Kosar and set up a 24-yard Kevin Butler chip shot at 5:24 in the 1^st.

Cleveland (1-0) responded with big plays. After stopping the Bears on their next drive, Gerald McNeil took the Maury Buford punt 77 yards for the score. On the Bears next possession, Clay Matthews intercepted Jim McMahon and took it 30 yards to the house. The Browns led 14-3 at the end of the 1^st. I hope this guy doesn’t have a son who similarly tortures the Bears in the future.

The Bears closed the gap to 14-13 by halftime on a 5-yard Matt Suhey TD run and a 21-yard Butler FG.

Steve Fuller, who had taken over for an ineffective McMahon, played brilliantly and led the Bears on their first drive of the 2^nd half, finishing it off with an 8-yard TD toss to Walter Payton.

The Browns answered back at the end of the 3^rd with an 8-yard Kosar to Brennan TD strike. The visitors led 21-20 heading into the final frame.

Butler hit from 29 to give the Bears a brief 23-21 lead. Kosar was a perfect 4-for-4 on the ensuing drive, finishing with a 34-yard TD connection with RB Herman Fontenot. The Browns 28-23 lead set up the dramatics described above.

Cleveland will be on the road again in Week 2 at Houston. Chicago hosts Philadelphia.

Thanks to Keith for a stimulating and fun game!