Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Amari Cooper's improbable sideline TD keys Browns comeback

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Dec 17, 2023 5:01 PM ET

On a second-and-4 play from his own 49-yard line, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco dropped back and scanned the field for about four seconds.

His decision to launch a pass down the right sideline appeared to be a bad one as his intended target, Amari Cooper, was in triple coverage.

However, Flacco placed the ball perfectly in Cooper’s hands as Chicago Bears cornerback Terrell Smith fell off to the side after failing to knock the ball loose, allowing Cooper to race another 28 yards to the end zone for a 51-yard touchdown.

JOE FLACC OH MY GOD

: #CHIvsCLE on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/xG3nUwq6Sb
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

"Joe Flacco, are you kidding me?!"

: #CHIvsCLE on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/6qPKVV4YHA
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

Cooper’s touchdown tied the game at 17 and capped off a 10-point Cleveland comeback. The Browns forced a Bears punt on the ensuing drive and added a Dustin Hopkins 34-yard field goal on their next drive to seal a 20-17 win after intercepting Justin Fields in the end zone on a Hail Mary pass that was incredibly close to being completed.

It was just the third touchdown of the season for Cooper, who finished with 109 yards on four receptions — his fourth 100-yard game of 2023. It also marked Flacco’s second straight win as Cleveland’s starting QB, and his second consecutive 300-yard passing game as well.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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