Browns vs. Chiefs 2013 final score: Kansas City sweats out 23-17 win
It may not have been as pretty as expected, but the Chiefs improve to 8-0.
The Kansas City Chiefs hit a late field goal, withstood a last-minute comeback attempt and improved to 8-0 with a 23-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.
Up 20-17 late in the fourth, Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop hit a 40-yard field goal to go up by six points with 1:44 remaining. Jason Campbell could not get the Browns downfield for a score on the Browns final drive, ending an impressive comeback bid.
Cleveland was in good position to tie or take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but had a drive come up short when receiver Davone Bess dropped crucial fourth-down pass with just under two minutes remaining. The Browns were facing a 4th-and-7 from their own 31 when Campbell rolled out to his right then threw the ball back across the field to a wide open Bess, who could not come up with a sliding catch.
The Chiefs opened the game with a pair of field goals from Succop. A 12-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to fullback Anthony Sherman made it 13-0 and the game appeared to be going according to schedule.
The Browns then launched a sudden and unexpected rally, going on a 17-7 run. The comeback attempt began in the second quarter when Campbell hit Josh Gordon for a 39-yard touchdown on a rarely seen flea flicker. Interestingly enough, the Chiefs attempted their own flea flicker in the second half. The play ended in a sack of Smith, who was sacked five times in the game.
After a 28-yard touchdown reception from Dexter McCluster put the Chiefs back up by 13, Billy Cundiff hit a 44-yard field goal and Campbell tossed a 17-yard touchdown to Fozzy Whittaker to make it 20-17.
Campbell, starting in place of the struggling Brandon Weeden, played well in his first start since filling in for Jay Cutler in a spot-start for the Bears last season, throwing for 293 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. He was forced to do the majority of the heavy lifting for the Browns offense, which mustered no rushing attack at all. They finished the first half with minus-one rushing yards, the lowest halftime total in the NFL in 20 years.
Fantasy studs and duds
Campbell was an unexpectedly strong fantasy start, throwing for 293 yards and two scores. Josh Gordon came up big as well, leading the team with five receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Smith broke a touchdown scoring drought with two scoring passes and threw for 225 yards. Limited by an injury and a surprisingly tough Cleveland defense, Jamaal Charles had a pedestrian 74 yards on the ground and did not find the end zone. McCluster led the team in receiving with seven receptions for 67 yards and a score.
Injury report
Charles left the game for a series in the second half after injuring his knee, but returned shortly thereafter and finished the game. McCluster also missed a series with a wrist injury and returned.
The Browns lost return man Travis Benjamin to a knee injury in the second half and he did not return. Initial reports indicate the injury is season-threatening.
Did they cover?
The Chiefs entered the game as seven-point favorites, according to Oddsshark.com, meaning they did not cover with their six-point win.
What’s next?
Sunday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m. ET: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
Sunday, Nov. 3, 4:25 p.m. ET: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
