Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns game recap: Joe Flacco's late heroics stymie Bears, 20-17

Browns 20, Bears 17 − Final score

Bears player stats, game leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Justin Fields: 19-of-40 passing for 166 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions; 7 carries for 30 yards.

• Rocshon Johnson: 5 carries for 36 yards; 4 reception for 24 yards.

• Velus Jones: 2 carries for 23 yards.

• Khalil Herbert: 6 carries for 8 yards; 1 reception for 4 yards.

• Tyler Scott: 1 carry for -3 yards; 3 receptions for 49 yards.

• D'Onta Foreman: 4 carries for -6 yards.

• D.J. Moore: 4 receptions for 52 yards.

• Cole Kmet: 5 reception for 23 yards and a touchdown.

• Darnell Mooney: 2 receptions for 14 yards.

Browns player stats, game leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Joe Flacco: 28-of-44 passing for 347 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions; 1 carry for -1 yard.

• Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 1-of-1 passing for 5 yards.

• Jerome Ford: 8 carries for 20 yards; 4 receptions for 11 yards.

• Kareem Hunt: 7 carries for 8 yard; 1 reception for 12 yards.

• Pierre Strong: 2 carries for 2 yards; 2 receptions for 9 yards.

• Amari Cooper: 4 receptions for 109 yards an a touchdown.

• David Njoku: 10 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.

• Marquise Goodwin: 1 reception for 57 yards.

• Cedric Tillman: 4 receptions for 52 yards.

• Elijh Moore: 2 receptions for 17 yards.

• Jordan Akins: 1 reception for 8 yards.

Browns 20, Bears 17 − End of fourth quarter

:05 left, fourth quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields throws a hail-mary pass into the endzone that riccochets off Darnell Mooney's hands in the endzone and into the hands of Cleveland S De'Anthony Bell for an interception to end the game.

:25 left, fourth quarter

Bears WR Tyler Scott grabs a 30-yard pass from Justin Fields for a first down at the Cleveland 45 yard line.

:32 left, fourth quarter

Bears start at their own 25 yard line. Bears WR Tyler Scott drops a pass deep right from Justin Fields. Za'Darius Smith is injured on the play for Cleveland.

:35 left, fourth quarter

Browns K Dustin Hopkins connects on a 34-yard field goal.

:37 left, fourth quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco runs for -1 yard.

:42 left, fourth quarter

Browns RB Kareem Hunt runs off the left guard for 2 yards.

:45 left, fourth quarter

Browns RB Kareem Hunt runs off the right guard for 2 yards.

:56 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-15, Browns QB Joe Flacco throws off his back foot to TE David Njoku for 34 yards and a first down at the Chicago 19 yard line.

1:38 left, fourth quarter

After a 5-yard offensive offsides penalty against David Njoku, Browns QB Joe Flacco nearly throws an interception trying to find Amari Cooper.

1:50 left, fourth quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco finds a wide open David Njoku for 31 yards and a first down at the Chicago 48 yard line..

2:00 left, fourth quarter

The Bears are forced to punt. Cleveland takes over at its own 21 yard line.

2:28 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-15, Bears QB Justin Fields passes short to Roshon Johnson for 3 yards. The play brings out the 2-minute warning.

3:08 left, fourth quarter

Chicago starts the drive from its own 25 yard line. Khalil Herbert is dropped for a 5-yard loss on a run toard the left tackle.

3:17 left, fourth quarter

On 2nd-and-4, Browns QB Joe Flacco throws deep right for a 51-yard touchdown to WR Amari Cooper.

3:44 left, fourth quarter

Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt takes a short pass from Joe Flaccos for 12 yards and a first down.

4:33 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-2, Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt runs off the left end for 3 yards and a first down.

5:25 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-18, Bears QB Justin Fields finds RB Rocshon Johnson for 12 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. The Browns atke over at their own 20 yard line.

6:56 left, fourth quarter

On 2nd-and-7, Bears QB Justin Fields is sakced for an 11-yard loss by Cleveland DE Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

7:57 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-9, Bears QB Justin Fields scrambles to the right for 9 yards and a first down.

8:39 left, fourth quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields' pass deep right for D.J. Moore falls incomplete.

8:49 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-17, Browns QB Joe Flacco completes a 7-yard pass to TE David Njoku. The Browns are forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 33 yard line.

10:00 left, fourth quarter

On 2nd-and-9, Bears DE Montez Sweat collects his third sack of Joe Flacco for an 8-yard loss.

10:42 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-1, Chicago WR Tyler Scott is swallowed up in the backfield for a3-yard loss. The Bears are forced to punt. Cleveland takes over at its own 25 yard line.

12:27 left, fourth quarter

Chicago starts from its own 25 yard line. Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs for 7 yards off the right guard.

12:31 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-13, Browns QB Joe Flacco completes a 3-yard pass to TE David Njoku. Browns K Dustin Hopkins drills a 33-yard field goal.

14:55 left, fourth quarter

After a 5-yard false start penalty by Cleveland, Browns QB Joe Flacco throws depp over the middle to WR Marquise Goodwin for 57 yards and a first down at Chicago's 15 yard line.

15:00 left, fourth quarter

On 4th-and-1, Bears QB Justin Fields is tripped up as he dives for the first-down marker, but comes up short for no gain. Cleveland takes over on downs at its own 33 yard line.

Bears 17, Browns 7 − End of third quarter

:12 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs for 7 yards off the right guard to close out the third quarter.

1:34 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-2, Bears QB Justin Fields scampers 15 yards off the left end for a first down.

2:31 left, third quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco's pass thrown toward the endzone intended for TE David Njoku is intercepted by Bears DB Tyrique Stevenson. Stevenson returns the ball to the Chicago 35 yard line.

3:22 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Browns QB Joe Flacco is dropped for an 8-yard loss when sacked by Chicago DE DeMarcus Walker. Cleveland is forced to punt. The Bears PR Trent Taylor muffs the punt and the Browns recover at the Chicago 20 yard line.

4:38 left, third quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco finds WR Cedric Tillman for 19 yards and a first down.

4:44 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-16, Bears QB Justin Fields completes a pass to D.J. Moore for -3 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. The Browns atke over at their own 30 yard line.

6:00 left, third quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields loses 6 yards on a run to the right end.

6:05 left, third quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields' pass intended for Rocshon Johnson is incomplete.

6:15 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-10, Browns QB Joe Flacco is sacked for a 10-yard loss by Bears DE Montez Sweat. Cleveland is forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 42 yard line.

7:07 left, third quarter

Cleveland start at its own 25 yard line. Browns QB Joe Flacco opens with an incomplete pass to TE David Njoku.

7:11 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Bears QB Justin Fields' pass deep right to D.J. Moore is incomplete. Cairo Santos buries a 41-yard field goal.

9:11 left, third quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields tosses a short pass to Tyler Scott for 15 yards and a first down at the Cleveland 26.

9:48 left, third quarter

On 2nd-and-6, Bears WR Velus Jones runs off the left end for 8 yards and a first down.

11:09 left, third quarter

Bears WR Velus Jones runs for 15 yards off the left end and a first down.

11:45 left, third quarter

Bears QB runs for 2 yards off the right guard.

13:50 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-4, Browns QB Joe Flacco finds TE David Njoku for a 1-yard gain. Cleveland is forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 30 yard line.

13:50 left, third quarter

Cleveland start at its own 25 yard line. Browns RB Jerome Ford runs for 6 yards.

14:01 left, third quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco throws a pass intended for Cedric Tillman that is intercepted by Chicago LB Tremaine Edmunds and returned 45 yards for a Bears touchdown.

14:09 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-14, Bears QB Justin Fields throws an incomplete pass intended for Rocshon Johnson. Chicago is forced to punt. Cleveland takes over at its own 40 yard line.

15:00 left, third quarter

Bears start the second half from their own 25 yard line. D'Onta Foreman losses 4 yards on a run up the middle.

Bears 7, Browns 7 − Halftime

Bears player stats, halftime leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Justin Fields: 12-of-21 passing for 101 yards, a touchdown and an interception; 2 carries for 2 yards.

• Rocshon Johnson: 2 carries for 25 yards; 2 reception for 9 yards.

• Khalil Herbert: 2 carries for 5 yards.

• D'Onta Foreman: 4 carries for -4 yards.

• D.J. Moore: 3 receptions for 55 yards.

• Cole Kmet: 5 reception for 23 yards and a touchdown.

• Darnell Mooney: 2 receptions for 14 yards.

Browns player stats, halftime leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Joe Flacco: 14-of-23 passing for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

• Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 1-of-1 passing for 5 yards.

• Jerome Ford: 4 carries for 11 yards; 3 receptions for 11 yards.

• Kareem Hunt: 4 carries for 1 yard.

• Pierre Strong: 1 carry for 0 yards; 1 reception for 7 yards.

• Amari Cooper: 3 receptions for 58 yards.

• Cedric Tillman: 3 receptions for 33 yards.

• David Njoku: 3 receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown.

• Elijh Moore: 1 reception for 11 yards.

• Jordan Akins: 1 reception for 8 yards.

Bears 7, Browns 7 − End of second quarter

:07 left, second quarter

After an incomplete pass from Justin Fields to Darnell Mooney, the Bears decline to take a long field goal on 4th-and-2 as Justin Fields' hail-mary pass is intercepted by Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the endzone.

:09 left, second quarter

On 2nd-and-9, Bears QB Justin Field hits WR Darnell Mooney for 5 yards.

:25 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields hits TE Cole Kmet for 5 yards on 2nd-and-4 for a first down at the Cleveland 48.

:40 left, second quarter

On 2nd-and-11, Bears QB Justin Fields connects with D.J. Moore for 20-yard first down at the Chicago 46.

:54 left, second quarter

Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs off the left guard for 22 yards and a first down at the Chicago 27.

:59 left, second quarter

Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs off the right guard for 3 yards.

1:08 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-4, Browns QB Joe Flacco's throw to Cedric Tillma is incomplete. Cleveland is forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 2 yard line.

1:36 left, second quarter

On 2nd-and-15, Cleveland QB Joe Flacco connects with Cedric Tillman for 11 yards.

2:00 left, second quarter

Cleveland QB Joe Flacco finds Amari Cooper for a 5-yard gain.

2:18 left, second quarter

Cleveland QB Joe Flacco hits WR Elijah Moore over the middle for 11 yards and a first down to take the game into the 2-minute warning.

2:26 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-4, Bears QB Justin Fileds' pass intended for Darnell Mooney is incomplete. Bears OL Tevin Jenkins is injured on the play. Chicago is forced to punt. The Browns take over at their own 28.

3:07 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields finds Darnell Mooney for 9 yards.

3:54 left, second quarter

The Bears start at their own 25 yard line. Chicago QB Justin Fields runs off the left tackle for a 3-yard loss.

3:47 left, second quarter

On 2nd-and-2, Browns QB Joe Flacco hits TE David Njoku in the back of the endzone for a 2-yard touchdown.

5:14 left, second quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco finds WR Cedric Tillman for 13 yards and a first down.

5:56 left, second quarter

On 4th-and-2, Browns QB Joe Flacco hits RB Jerome Ford for 5 yards on a short pass. First down at the Chicago 14..

6:33 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-3, Browns RB Kareem Hunt runs for 1 yard.

8:49 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Browns QB Joe Flacco throws deep for Amari Cooper along the right side for 42 yards and a first down at the Chicago 27 yard line.

10:11 left, second quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco hits WR Cedric Tillman over the middle for 9 yards and a first down.

10:49 left, second quarter

Cleveland starts at its own 16 yard line. Browns QB Joe Flacco hits a short pass for 3 yards to RB Jerome Ford.

11:03 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields avoids a sack attempt by Cleveland DE Myles Garrett and finds TE Cole Kmet for 5 yards in the endzone for a touchdown.

11:07 left, second quarter

After a 5-yard false start on Cole Kmet, Bears QB Justin Fields throws an incomplete pass over the head of Darnell Mooney.

12:09 left, second quarter

Bears RB D'Onta Foreman runs up the middle for no gain.

12:28 left, second quarter

On 2nd-and-2 from the Cleveland 2, pass interference is called on the Browns. Bears have 1st-and-goal from the 1 yard line.

13:26 left, second quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco's pass intended for Cedric Tillman is intercepted by Bears DB Eddie Jackson runs off the right guard for 2 yards.

14:04 left, second quarter

Browns RB Kareem Hunt runs off the right guard for 2 yards.

14:12 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-10, Bears QB Justin Fields passes short right to RB Rocshon Johnson for 8 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. The Browns take over at their own 9 yard line.

Bears 0, Browns 0 − End of first quarter

:31 left, first quarter

On 2nd-and-15, Bears QB Justin Fields run around the right end for 5 yards to close the first quarter.

:45 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Browns QB Joe Flacco throws an incomplet pass toward Cedric Tillman. Cleveland is forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 40 yard line.

1:26 left, first quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco is sacked by Bears DE Montez Sweat for a 5-yard loss.

2:05 left, first quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco finds TE David Njoku for 7 yards.

2:14 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Bears QB Justin Fields is sacked for a 7-yard loss by Cleveland DT Dalvin Tomlinson. Chicago is forced to punt. Browns take over at their own 19 yard line.

4:05 left, first quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields finds WR D.J. Moore deep for 27 yards along the left sideline. Cleveland challenges the ruling on the field. After review, the pass is complete and ruling stands.

4:14 left, first quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields hits TE Robert Tonyan deep in the hands but the football is bobbled and falls incomplete.

4:48 left, first quarter

Bears WR D.J. Moore reels in QB Justin Fields pass for 8 yards.

4:57 left, first quarter

A falst start by Wyatt Teller forces 3rd-and-8 for Cleveland. Browns QB Joe Flacco throws an incomplete pass intended for WR Cedric Tillman. The Browns are forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 19 yard line.

6:04 left, first quarter

On 2nd-and-5, Browns RB Pierre Strong runs for no gain off the right guard.

6:42 left, first quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco connects with TE David Njoku for 8 yards. Cleveland G Joel Bitonio is injured on the play.

7:14 left, first quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco hits RB Pierre Strong on a screen pass for 21 yards, but the play is negated by an offensive holding penalty by Nick Harris. The play accounts for a 3-yard loss, making 1st-and-13.

7:25 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-5, Bears QB Justin Fields overthrows WR Darnell Mooney deep along the left sideline. Chicago is forced to punt. Cleveland takes over at its own 37 yard line.

8:49 left, first quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the right tackle for 3 yards.

8:56 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-2, Browns RB Kareem Hunt is stuffed near the right guard for a 1-yard loss. Cleveland is forced to punt. The Bears take over at their own 17 yard line.

10:21 left, first quarter

Browns RB Jerome Ford runs off the right tackle for 8 yards.

10:30 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-13, Bears QB Justin Fields connects with TE Cole Kmet for 8 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. The Browns take over at their own 45 yard line.

12:08 left, first quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields throws deep right for D.J. Moore but the pass is incomplete.

12:14 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Joe Flacco's pass intended for TE David Njoku sails high and incomplete. Cleveland is forced to punt. Chicago takes over at its own 16 yard line.

13:19 left, first quarter

After a 5-yard encroachmment penalty by Chicago, Cleveland QB Joe Flacco's pass to TE Harrison Bryant is incomplete.

14:21 left, first quarter

Browns QB Joe Flacco finds WR Amari Cooper for 11 yards and first down.

15:00 left, first quarter

Cleveland won the coin toss and opted to receive. The Browns begin at their own 25 yard line. Jerome Ford runs off left tackle for 6 yards.

Bears-Browns Week 15 NFL Pregame

Bears-Browns weather: Rain could be factor at Cleveland Browns Stadium

Temperatures will be around 48 degrees with rain expected during the entire game, according to AccuWeather.com.

Chicago Bears inactives vs. Detroit Lions

• Ja'Tyre Carter, OL

• Quindell Johnson, DB

• Nathan Peterman, QB

• Equanimeous St. Brown, WR

• Noah Sewell, LB

Cleveland Browns inactives vs. Chicago Bears

• Kahlif Hailassie, CB

• Sam Kamara, DE

• Jordan Kunaszyk, LB

• Ogbo Okoronkwo, DE

• Ethan Pocic, C

• Juan Thornhill, S

• Anthony Walker Jr., LB

How to watch Browns-Bears football game today?

The battle between the Bears (5-8) and the Browns (8-5) at Cleveland Browns Stadium will be aired on FOX.

What time is Bears game vs. Browns today?

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions recap: Bears defense forces 3 turnovers in 28-13 win

What are Browns vs. Bears odds for Dec. 17, 2023?

Here are the odds from BetMGM Sportsbook:

• Against the spread (ATS): Browns -3 (+100) | Bears +3 (-120)

• Moneyline (ML): Browns -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Bears +125 (bet $100 to win $125)

• Over/Under (O/U): 37.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Bears-Browns predictions for NFL Week 15 on Dec. 17, 2023

Chicago may be the underdog, but the experts nearly made this game a pick'em contest. The ageless Joe Flacco continues to give Cleveland an opportunity to win every week and is keeping the Browns in the playoff hunt. Meanwhile, the Bears are having fun playing spoiler after knocking off the Detroit Lions last week. The 52 expert predictions split in favor of the Browns, 28-24.

Here is a look at expert predictions for the Bears-Browns matchup.

Chicago Bears schedule 2023

• Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24 — Arizona Cardinals, 3:25 p.m., FOX

• Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31 — Atlanta Falcons, Noon, CBS

• Week 18: TBD — at Green Bay Packers, TBD, TBD

For the Bears' complete schedule, visit chicagobears.com/schedule.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bears-Browns game recap: Joe Flacco's late heroics drops Bears, 20-17