3. Browns 6, Chiefs 3, Sept. 4, 1988 at Kansas City
Cleveland was the trendy favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but this season-opening win proved quite costly, as Bernie Kosar injured his right (throwing) elbow when he ws hit on a blitz by Chiefs safety Lloyd Burruss early in the second quarter. Fourth-year pro Kosar missed the next six games, and though he had some more solid seasons, his throwing arm was never quite the same again.
Veteran Gary Danielson replaced Kosar and completed 18 of 29 passes for 170 yards. He led the Browns on a 13-play, 73-yard drive that set up Matt Bahr’s game-winning field goal with 25 seconds left in the game. Bahr’s 19-yard field goal on the final play of the first half followed a Browns’ march of 81 yards and tied the game 3-3.
Cleveland’s Tim Manoa had 70 yards on 14 carries and 25 more on four receptions. Webster Slaughter caught five passes for 61 yards. Cornerbacks Hanford Dixon and Mark Harper intercepted Kansas City passes and linebacker David Grayson had two quarterback sacks. Lee Johnson pinned the Chiefs inside their 20 on five of his seven punts.
The Browns finished 10-6 to earn a wild card, but lost a playoff game in Cleveland to the Houston Oilers, 24-23, with Kosar sidelined by a knee injury. It was the final game as Browns coach for Marty Schottenheimer, who departed over disagreements with owner Art Modell. The Chiefs hired Schottenheimer shortly after they finished this season 4-11-1.
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