Game story
In Week 4 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-28, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 21–14 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +7.67 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.25 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+15.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (14:20) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Kitna · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +19.25 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 2 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +9.62 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.21 EPA/play
- 3 Q. Morgan · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +8.78 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.93 EPA/play
- 4 T. Couch · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +7.67 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 5 K. Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.47 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
- 6 T. Stewart · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 7 K. Washington · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.15 EPA/play
- 8 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Kitna — CIN · Passing
J. Kitna posted the highest total EPA (+19.25) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cincinnati Bengals's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.58 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.19 EPA) came from Cincinnati Bengals: (:29) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — Q. Morgan (T. Couch pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass)
- Cleveland Browns — J. White (T. Couch pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — R. Kelly (J. Kitna pass)
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 71 (Q1 59:20) — (14:20) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 59:06) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q1 52:19) — (7:19) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 52:14) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q2 39:36) — (9:36) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 30-J.White for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 39:31) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 55 (Q2 30:29) — (:29) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 30:20) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q3 24:05) — (9:05) 3-J.Kitna pass to 82-R.Kelly for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 24:01) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 59:20) — (14:20) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 30:29) — (:29) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 25:30) — (10:30) 3-J.Kitna pass to 87-K.Washington to CLE 37 for 17 yards (24-R.Griffith).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass intended for 85-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Burris at CIN 28. 21-J.Burris ran ob at CIN 45 for 17 yards.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 4:43) — (4:43) 8-N.Harris punts 34 yards to CLE 18, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 86-D.Northcutt to CLE 32 for 14 yards (48-B.St. Louis).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 30:29) — (:29) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 59:20) — (14:20) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 24:48) — (9:48) 3-J.Kitna pass incomplete to 80-P.Warrick (33-D.McCutcheon). PENALTY on CLE-33-D.McCutcheon, Defensive Pass Interference, 36 yards, enforced at CLE 37 - No Play.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 40:51) — (10:51) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan to CIN 1 for 14 yards (30-T.Roberts).
Quarterback report card
T.Couch led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Couch (Cleveland Browns) · 41 dropbacks · 56.1% completion · +0.19 EPA/play · +7.67 total EPA
- J.Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 33 dropbacks · 69.7% completion · +0.58 EPA/play · +19.25 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.140 | +0.019 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.2% | 46.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.541 | +0.176 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.115 | -0.173 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.019 | -0.140 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.5% | 53.8% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Cincinnati Bengals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 10 drives, +10.91 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 10 drives, +1.62 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Cincinnati Bengals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 59:20 · CIN 71 · Score 0-6
(14:20) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 59:06 · CIN 2 · Score 0-7
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 52:19 · CLE 3 · Score 6-7
(7:19) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 52:14 · CLE 2 · Score 7-7
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 39:36 · CIN 4 · Score 7-13
(9:36) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 30-J.White for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 39:31 · CIN 2 · Score 7-14
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 30:29 · CLE 55 · Score 13-14
(:29) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 30:20 · CLE 2 · Score 14-14
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 24:05 · CLE 1 · Score 20-14
(9:05) 3-J.Kitna pass to 82-R.Kelly for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 24:01 · CLE 2 · Score 21-14
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 21-14 in Week 4, 2003 on 2003-09-28.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 21, Cleveland Browns 14 (CIN 21-14 CLE) in Week 4, 2003 on 2003-09-28.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 7; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 21, Cleveland Browns 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — Q. Morgan (T. Couch pass) (Q1 59:20) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q1 52:19) Cleveland Browns touchdown — J. White (T. Couch pass) (Q2 39:36) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 30:29) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — R. Kelly (J. Kitna pass) (Q3 24:05) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
T. Couch (Cleveland Browns), 56.1% completion, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +7.67 total passing EPA. J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals), 69.7% completion, +0.58 EPA per dropback, +19.25 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) led the game in total EPA with +19.25 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.19 EPA): (:29) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +15.9%.
Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Cincinnati Bengals won 21-14 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 0-3 Now 1-3 W
Cleveland Browns
Entered 1-2 Now 1-3 L
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