Buffalo Bills vs. Washington Commanders: 2015 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-20, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 35–25 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +4.13 total EPA, and +1.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Cousins (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +24.52 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+6.7% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (3:56) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 14-S.Watkins for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Cousins · Washington Commanders · Passing · +24.52 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Jackson · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +9.96 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Reed · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +7.67 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Gillislee · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +7.00 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Garcon · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +5.31 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Watkins · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.26 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Taylor · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +4.13 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
8. 8 N. O'Leary · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.57 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Washington Commanders — J. Reed (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 54:28)
• Washington Commanders — K. Cousins (Q2 42:54)
• Washington Commanders — J. Reed (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 38:52)
• Washington Commanders — D. Jackson (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 23:53)
• Buffalo Bills — M. Gillislee (Q3 21:59)
• Buffalo Bills — S. Watkins (T. Taylor pass) (Q3 18:56)
• Washington Commanders — P. Garcon (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 11:21)
• Buffalo Bills — S. Watkins (T. Taylor pass) (Q4 1:34)

Field goals

• Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter (Q3 24:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q1 54:28) — (9:28) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 86-J.Reed for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 54:22) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way..

The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 14–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the BUF 13 (Q2 42:54) — (12:54) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins scrambles right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 42:46) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the BUF 18 (Q2 38:52) — (8:52) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 86-J.Reed for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 38:47) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 17–7. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the WAS 14 (Q3 24:04) — (9:04) 2-D.Carpenter 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the BUF 77 (Q3 23:53) — (8:53) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 11-D.Jackson for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 23:39) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the WAS 60 (Q3 21:59) — (6:59) 35-M.Gillislee left end for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q3 21:48) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the WAS 48 (Q3 18:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 14-S.Watkins for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q3 18:48) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–7. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q4 11:21) — (11:21) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 88-P.Garcon for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 11:16) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the WAS 20 (Q4 1:34) — (1:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left to 14-S.Watkins for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills registered a safety from the WAS 1 (Q4 1:26) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 5-T.Taylor rushes left end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Buffalo Bills registered a safety from the BUF 44 (Q4 0:34) — (:34) 8-K.Cousins kneels to BUF 45 for -1 yards..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Buffalo Bills (Q3 18:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 14-S.Watkins for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.7% · EPA +4.43]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 57:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 11-D.Jackson ran ob at BUF 47 for 28 yards. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +2.47]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 44:28) — (14:28) (Run formation) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. PENALTY on BUF-96-S.Charles, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at BUF 37 - No Play. [WPA +5.7% · EPA +2.03]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 42:54) — (12:54) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins scrambles right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.5% · EPA +3.53]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 56:33) — (11:33) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 14-R.Grant to BUF 28 for 13 yards (28-R.Darby). [WPA +5.1% · EPA +0.89]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Washington Commanders (Q3 23:53) — (8:53) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 11-D.Jackson for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.8% · EPA +5.88]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 21:59) — (6:59) 35-M.Gillislee left end for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.6% · EPA +5.73]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 37:09) — (7:09) 6-C.Schmidt punts 34 yards to BUF 38, Center-65-G.Sanborn. 80-J.Crowder MUFFS catch, touched at BUF 38, RECOVERED by BUF-20-C.Graham at BUF 43. 20-C.Graham to BUF 43 for no gain (14-R.Grant). [WPA +3.8% · EPA +4.67]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 18:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 14-S.Watkins for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.7% · EPA +4.43]

Quarterback report card

T.Taylor led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 40 dropbacks · 40.0% completion · +1.7% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +4.13 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Washington Commanders) · 30 dropbacks · 73.3% completion · +14.0% CPOE · +0.82 EPA/play · +24.52 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Washington Commanders held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.28 vs +0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +12.81 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Washington Commanders: 10 drives, +21.38 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Washington Commanders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• K. Cousins (Washington Commanders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (WAS) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 54:28 · BUF 3 · Score 0-6
   (9:28) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 86-J.Reed for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 54:22 · BUF 15 · Score 0-7
   3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
3. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 42:54 · BUF 13 · Score 0-13
   (12:54) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins scrambles right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 42:46 · BUF 15 · Score 0-14
   3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
5. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 38:52 · BUF 18 · Score 0-20
   (8:52) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 86-J.Reed for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 38:47 · BUF 15 · Score 0-21
   3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
7. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 24:04 · WAS 14 · Score 3-21
   (9:04) 2-D.Carpenter 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
8. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 23:53 · BUF 77 · Score 3-27
   (8:53) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 11-D.Jackson for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 23:39 · BUF 15 · Score 3-28
   3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
10. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 21:59 · WAS 60 · Score 9-28
    (6:59) 35-M.Gillislee left end for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 21:48 · WAS 15 · Score 10-28
    2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
12. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 18:56 · WAS 48 · Score 16-28
    (3:56) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 14-S.Watkins for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 18:48 · WAS 15 · Score 17-28
    2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
14. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 11:21 · BUF 5 · Score 17-34
    (11:21) 68-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 88-P.Garcon for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 11:16 · BUF 15 · Score 17-35
    3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
16. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:34 · WAS 20 · Score 23-35
    (1:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left to 14-S.Watkins for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Buffalo Bills Safety (+2) — Q4 1:26 · WAS 1 · Score 25-35
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 5-T.Taylor rushes left end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. Buffalo Bills Safety (+2) — Q4 0:34 · BUF 44 · Score 25-35
    (:34) 8-K.Cousins kneels to BUF 45 for -1 yards.