Game story
In Week 1 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-09-11, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 27–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Dilfer (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -7.22 total EPA.
On the individual side, F. Jackson (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.70 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+18.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 17 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 F. Jackson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +8.70 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 2 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.09 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 3 K. Walter · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.37 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
- 4 T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.31 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
- 5 C. Palmer · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +5.10 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 6 A. Bryant · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 7 R. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +3.39 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 8 S. Heiden · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
F. Jackson — CLE · Receiving
F. Jackson posted the highest total EPA (+8.70) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.09 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.68 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — R. Johnson
- Cleveland Browns — F. Jackson (T. Dilfer pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — K. Walter (C. Palmer pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — J. Johnson (C. Palmer pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 11 (Q1 49:41) — (4:41) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson..
The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 17–7. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 43:47) — (13:47) 32-R.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 43:44) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 13 (Q2 38:50) — (8:50) 17-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 68 (Q2 35:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 17 (Q2 35:03) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 20 (Q2 30:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass to 83-K.Walter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 30:45) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 18 (Q3 24:55) — (9:55) 9-C.Palmer pass to 31-J.Johnson for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 24:48) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 6 (Q3 23:26) — (8:26) 17-S.Graham 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 17 (Q4 9:52) — (9:52) 4-P.Dawson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 35:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:27) — (1:27) 9-C.Palmer pass to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to CLE 35 for 35 yards (21-B.Pool).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 42:14) — (12:14) 8-T.Dilfer up the middle to CIN 49 for 2 yards (97-J.Thornton). FUMBLES (97-J.Thornton), RECOVERED by CIN-25-K.Ratliff at CIN 49.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 30:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass to 83-K.Walter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 49:59) — (4:59) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 50-J.Faine to CIN 11 for -1 yards (97-J.Thornton, 51-O.Thurman). Penalty on CLE, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 35:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 5:24) — (5:24) 9-C.Palmer pass intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 28-L.Bodden at CLE 0. Touchback (82-R.Kelly). Penalty on CIN-85-C.Johnson, Illegal Shift, declined.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 24:40) — (9:40) 8-T.Dilfer pass intended for 42-T.Smith INTERCEPTED by 51-O.Thurman at CLE 27. 51-O.Thurman ran ob at CLE 13 for 14 yards (8-T.Dilfer).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 13:09) — (13:09) 9-C.Palmer sacked at CLE 42 for -3 yards (51-C.Thompson). FUMBLES (51-C.Thompson), RECOVERED by CLE-94-O.Ruff at CLE 36. 94-O.Ruff to CLE 42 for 6 yards (9-C.Palmer). Penalty on CIN-71-W.Ander
Quarterback report card
T.Dilfer led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Dilfer (Cleveland Browns) · 43 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · -0.17 EPA/play · -7.22 total EPA
- C.Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 39 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.13 EPA/play · +5.10 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.092 | -0.129 |
| Offensive success rate | 62.1% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.131 | -0.168 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.057 | -0.218 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.129 | -0.092 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 37.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Cincinnati Bengals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 12 drives, +8.03 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, -9.82 total EPA, 3 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.
- F. Jackson (Cleveland Browns) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 49:41 · CIN 11 · Score 0-3
(4:41) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 43:47 · CLE 1 · Score 6-3
(13:47) 32-R.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 43:44 · CLE 2 · Score 7-3
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 38:50 · CLE 13 · Score 10-3
(8:50) 17-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 35:15 · CIN 68 · Score 10-9
(5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 35:03 · CIN 17 · Score 10-10
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 30:52 · CLE 20 · Score 16-10
(:52) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass to 83-K.Walter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 30:45 · CLE 2 · Score 17-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 24:55 · CLE 18 · Score 23-10
(9:55) 9-C.Palmer pass to 31-J.Johnson for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 24:48 · CLE 2 · Score 24-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 23:26 · CLE 6 · Score 27-10
(8:26) 17-S.Graham 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 9:52 · CIN 17 · Score 27-13
(9:52) 4-P.Dawson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 27-13 in Week 1, 2005 on 2005-09-11.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 27, Cleveland Browns 13 (CIN 27-13 CLE) in Week 1, 2005 on 2005-09-11.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Cleveland Browns 3; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 17, Cleveland Browns 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 10, Cleveland Browns 0; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Cleveland Browns 3; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 27, Cleveland Browns 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — R. Johnson (Q2 43:47) Cleveland Browns touchdown — F. Jackson (T. Dilfer pass) (Q2 35:15) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — K. Walter (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 30:52) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Johnson (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 24:55) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q1 49:41, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q2 38:50, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q3 23:26, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q4 9:52, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
T. Dilfer (Cleveland Browns), 60.5% completion, -0.17 EPA per dropback, -7.22 total passing EPA. C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals), 66.7% completion, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +5.10 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
F. Jackson (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +8.70 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.68 EPA): (5:15) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 88-F.Jackson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +18.9%.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Now 1-0 W
Cleveland Browns
Now 0-1 L
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