Cutler-marshall combo lifts Bears
Jay Cutler passed to Brandon Marshall for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping host Chicago get a 24-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Marc Trestman’s headcoaching debut with the Bears.
It wasn’t quite the display the Bears were looking for after making some big changes in the offseason, but it was good enough.
The Bengals led by 11 in the third quarter and were up 21-17 early in the fourth when Tim Jennings jarred the ball from Mohamed Sanu following a reception and made the recovery.
Chicago took possession at its 19 and got an 8-yard run from Matt Forte on 4th-and-inches at the Bengals’ 27. Cutler then found Marshall in the front corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown, giving Chicago a 24-21 lead with 7:58 remaining.
Rams 27, Cardinals 24: Greg Zuerlein kicked a 48-yard field goal with 40 seconds left to lift host St. Louis. … It was Zuerlein’s fourth field goal of the game for the Rams, who trailed 24-13 after three quarters. … Larry Fitzgerald caught two TD passes from new quarterback Carson Palmer and Arizona’s defense had a TD.
Seahawks 12, Panthers 7: Russell Wilson threw for 320 yards for visiting Seattle, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse in the fourth quarter. … The Seahawks managed all of two field goals before Kearse beat cornerback Josh Thomas down the right sideline for the go-ahead score with 10:13 left. … The Panthers held Marshawn Lynch to 43 yards rushing, but Wilson completed 25 of 33 passes. … Carolina’s Cam Newton was held to 125 yards passing and one TD.
Jets 18, Buccaneers 17: Nick Folk kicked a 48-yard field goal with two seconds remaining after Lavonte David’s personal-foul penalty put host New York in field-goal range. … Rian Lindell’s 37-yard field goal had put Tampa Bay ahead with 34 seconds left.
Patriots 23, Bills 21: Stephen Gostkowski hit a 35-yard field goal with five seconds left to send visiting New England to the win. … Tom Brady set up the decisive score by leading a 49-yard, 12-play drive during which he twice completed passes to convert third downs. It was Brady’s 36th career victory in which the Patriots were tied or trailed in the fourth quarter. … Brady finished 29-for-52 for 288 yards passing and two touchdowns in helping the Patriots win their opener for the 10th straight season. … The new-look Bills nearly pulled off a stunning upset in the first game under head coach Doug Marrone and rookie quarterback EJ Manuel.
Titans 16, Steelers 9: Tennessee’s revamped defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times, and visiting Tennessee shut down Pittsburgh. … Chris Johnson ran for 70 clock-chewing yards, Jackie Battle bulled his way to a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for the Titans. Tennessee’s new-look defense did the rest. … Pittsburgh managed just 195 total yards and lost several players to injury, including Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey left in the first quarter with a right knee injury.
Dolphins 23, Browns 10: Ryan Tannehill passed for 272 yards and a touchdown, leading visiting Miami over Cleveland, which fell to 1-14 in Week 1 since 1999. … Tannehill threw a 34yard TD pass to Brian Hartline in the third quarter and drove the Dolphins to a gameclinching TD in the fourth. … Miami’s Cameron Wake had 2½ sacks and the Dolphins’ defensive line sacked Brandon Weeden six times.