5TH QUARTER: Joe Flacco leads the battered Browns to a 20-17 victory over the Bears after throwing for 374 yards.
CLEVELAND (AP) — In the fourth quarter, Joe Flacco completed 374 yards of passes for 374 yards of touchdowns, including Dustin Hopkins’ game-winning 34-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining.
The Browns overcame a Hail Mary on the final play to defeat the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday.
Despite being intercepted three times, Flacco produced some outstanding throws in the final minutes to give the Browns a chance, such as a 51-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with 3:08 remaining to tie the score at 17 all.
With 1:50 remaining, the Browns (9-5) regained possession of the ball.
Flacco, 38, who signed with Cleveland on November 20 and was making his third start, hit tight end David Njoku twice for 65 yards to set up Hopkins’ field goal.
The Browns, who have struggled with injuries all season, managed to hold the No. 5 AFC playoff slot.
Just after halftime, Tremaine Edmunds intercepted Flacco and returned it 45 yards for a score, giving the Bears a 10-point lead.
