CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears seemed intent on giving the game away Sunday. But in the end, they still found a way to hang on for the win.
Jay Cutler threw for 372 yards and hit Matt Forte with a late 28-yard touchdown pass as the Bears beat the Detroit Lions 19-14 after Calvin Johnson’s apparent touchdown catch was ruled an incompletion.
The controversial call came with 25 seconds left, after Johnson outjumped Chicago’s Zackary Bowman for what looked like a 25-yard TD. Johnson appeared to have gotten both feet down inbounds before letting the ball go, but what looked like a potential game-winner was ruled an incomplete pass by the officials. The call was upheld by replay, and, after two more incompletions, the Lions walked off the field with their 21st straight road loss.
Bears coach Lovie Smith said he didn’t even see the need for the review, saying, “I thought it was cut and dry.”
Titans 38, Raiders 13
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chris Johnson ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns, Vince Young threw for two TDs and Javon Ringer had a TD as Tennessee avoided any comparisons to last year’s 0-6 start with a season-opening rout.
Oakland led 3-0 early after a Young fumble, but Tennessee answered with 24 straight points to take control. The Titans also sacked new Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell four times and forced two turnovers they turned into 10 points.
“You can’t sit around and feel bad about it,” Oakland coach Tom Cable said. “You really have to deal with it.”
Patriots 38, Bengals 24
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady threw two of his three touchdown passes to Wes Welker, who caught eight passes for 64 yards less than eight months after surgery for a torn knee ligament.
The Patriots’ dominance was complete as they also scored on defense with Gary Guyton’s 59-yard interception return and on special teams on Brandon Tate’s 97-yard runback of the second-half kickoff.
Dolphins 15, Bills 10
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Karlos Dansby, Miami’s top offseason free-agent addition, had a sack and eight tackles in helping the Dolphins limit Buffalo to 166 yards on offense.
Ronnie Brown scored on a 1-yard plunge and Dan Carpenter hit field goals from 32 and 43 yards in allowing Miami to open the season with a win for the first time in five years. Quarterback Chad Henne completed 21-of-34 passes for 182 yards.
Giants 31, Panthers 18
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Trailing 16-14 at halftime, New York surged ahead behind second-year receiver Hakeem Nicks, who caught his third touchdown pass from Eli Manning.
Ahmad Bradshaw set up his own 4-yard TD run in the fourth quarter with a 39-yard romp that provided New York with an additional cushion.
Cardinals 17, Rams 13
ST. LOUIS — Larry Fitzgerald caught a 21-yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter, helping Arizona spoil a solid debut by No. 1 pick Sam Bradford.
Buccaneers 17, Browns 14
TAMPA, Fla. — Josh Freeman returned from a broken thumb on his throwing hand and had two touchdown passes to lead Tampa Bay.
The Associated Press
