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Bills shock Bears in OT

Sep 7, 2014 - 10:56 PM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Fred Jackson still has plenty of burst left in those 33-year-old legs.

Jackson's 38-yard run in overtime set up Dan Carpenter's game-winning 27-yard field goal as the Chicago Bears shocked the Buffalo Bills, 23-20, in the season opener of both teams on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears overcame a 17-7 second-half deficit and tied the game with 30 seconds left in regulation on Robbie Gould's 37-yard field goal. Chicago, however, picked up just one first down before punting on its lone possession in the extra session.

Buffalo took over at its own 22-yard line. E.J. Manuel fired a 20-yard completion to Mike Williams and Jackson bulldozed through the Chicago secondary all the way down to the 1-yard line two plays later.

The oldest running back in the NFL took a handoff along the left side of the line and darted through a huge hole before stiff arming safety Chris Conte twice inside the 10-yard line.

"I am old, but I can still play," Jackson said.

Carpenter's boot came two snaps later.

It was an inspiring start for the Bills as they enter a new era following the death of Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson during the offseason, attempting to end a 14-year playoff drought.

Jackson finished with 61 yards rushing on seven attempts, while C.J. Spiller added 53 yards on the ground on 15 carries for the Bills (1-0), who ran for 193 yards.

E.J. Manuel was 16-of-22 for 173 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and Robert Woods caught four passes for 78 yards in the triumph.

Buffalo went 6-10 a year ago.

"It's so difficult to win on the road in this league, especially on opening day I think it's even tougher," Bills head coach Doug Marrone said.

Jay Cutler completed 34-of-49 passes for 349 yards with a pair of touchdowns and interceptions for Chicago (0-1), which went 8-8 in 2013.

"Turnovers hurt us, penalties hurt us. We just kept stubbing our toe on certain things throughout the game," Cutler said.

Brandon Marshall had eight receptions for 71 yards and a score, Alshon Jeffery caught five passes for 71 yards while being limited by a hamstring injury and Martellus Bennett hauled in eight throws for 70 yards and a score. Matt Forte carried the ball 17 times for 82 yards and added 87 yards receiving on eight catches in the triumph.

Gould split the uprights from 41 yards out on Chicago's opening possession of the second half to get it within 17-10 and Conte intercepted Manuel on Buffalo's ensuing touch.

The Bears quickly took advantage as Marshall hauled in an 11-yard score in the back left corner of the end zone to cap off the brisk 5-play, 56-yard drive and knot the contest with 4:28 left in the third.

Midway through the fourth, Chicago faced a 3rd-and-1 at the Buffalo 34. The Bears elected to pass for it and Cutler had all day to throw as he rolled right. He attempted to throw it across his body to his tight end Bennett, but tossed it right to Bills defensive end Kyle Williams instead as the hefty lineman recorded his first career interception.

The Bills took over at their own 48 and Woods' leaping 25-yard reception down the right seam set up a Carpenter 33-yard field goal to put them up 20-17 with 4:07 to go in regulation.

Chicago answered back. Marshall moved the chains on a 3rd-and-10 with a 15- yard reception, which led to Gould's 27-yard kick.

Earlier, Cutler flipped a 12-yard TD pass to Bennett on Chicago's opening drive, but the Bills responded with 17 unanswered points.

Manuel hit Woods for a 32-yard completion on a 3rd-and-2 and finished off Buffalo's ensuing 9-play, 71-yard sequence with a 2-yard TD run.

Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin stripped Marshall following a 14-yard completion early in the second and Preston Brown recovered the ball. The turnover led to a Carpenter 50-yard field goal to give Buffalo a 10-7 edge midway through the second.

Cutler tossed an interception to former Bear Corey Graham on the fifth play of Chicago's next series and Graham returned the pick 45 yards to the Bears' 7- yard line. Manuel hit Spiller for a 7-yard touchdown in the right flat to make it 17-7.

Game Notes

Buffalo's Anthony Dixon had a career-long 47-yard run ... Chicago held a 29-15 advantage in first downs and outgained Buffalo, 427-360 ... The Bills were 4- of-12 on third down, while Chicago finished 5-of-12.