Last-Second Field Goal Does Trick

After the ball cut through the stiff wind, sailed over the crossbar and through the uprights, Seattle’s Rian Lindell went a little numb.

The Cleveland Browns did, too.

Lindell kicked a 52-yard field goal with three seconds remaining Sunday to give Seattle a 9-6 win over Cleveland, spoiling Butch Davis’ head coaching debut with the Browns.

“We never win the close ones,” Browns wide receiver Kevin Johnson said. “A guy kicks a 52-yarder into the wind, and he nails it? Come on. When you get that close, it’s tough.”

Lindell, the NFL’s most accurate rookie kicker a year ago, matched his career best with the game-winner that was set up by Charlie Rogers’ 49-yard kickoff return.

Lindell missed his first attempt, ending a streak of 11 straight, but redeemed himself with kicks from 49 and 23 yards before connecting after the Browns tried to ice him by calling a late timeout.

“I didn’t mind it too much,” Lindell said of Cleveland’s strategy. “I kind of liked the extra time to size up the spot and gauge the wind.”

Phil Dawson kicked two field goals and missed one for the Browns, who had a first-and-goal at the Seattle seven-yard line late in the fourth but couldn’t score a touchdown.

Cleveland couldn’t get much going on offense, but held their own defensively and looked like they’ll be much better under Davis.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, making his first NFL start, finished 20 of 34 for 178 yards, and Ricky Watters rushed for 97 yards on 16 carries. The Seahawk defense recorded three sacks, flustered quarterback Tim Couch and held Cleveland to 239 total yards.