Game story
In Week 5 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-10-11, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 6–3 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 3 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Edwards (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -6.75 total EPA, and -7.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Cribbs (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +2.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+31.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (3:10) 15-D.Zastudil punts 57 yards to BUF 16, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 16 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CLE-54-B.Costanzo at BUF 16.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Cribbs · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +2.76 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.76 EPA/play
- 2 M. Lynch · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.34 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 3 S. Heiden · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +0.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 4 D. Anderson · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +0.41 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
- 5 T. Owens · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +0.23 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 6 M. Lynch · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · -0.19 total EPA · 17 snaps · -0.01 EPA/play
- 7 T. Edwards · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · -0.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.30 EPA/play
- 8 F. Jackson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · -0.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · -0.12 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Cribbs — CLE · Rushing
J. Cribbs posted the highest total EPA (+2.76) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 1 counted snaps, they averaged +2.76 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.17 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (3:10) 15-D.Zastudil punts 57 yards to BUF 16, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 16 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CLE-54-B.Costanzo at BUF 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — B. Cundiff
- Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell
- Cleveland Browns — B. Cundiff
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the BUF 7 (Q2 37:31) — (7:31) 8-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-15-D.Zastudil..
The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the CLE 18 (Q3 25:15) — (10:15) 9-R.Lindell 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-8-B.Moorman..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the BUF 1 (Q4 0:26) — (:26) 8-B.Cundiff 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-15-D.Zastudil..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) 15-D.Zastudil punts 57 yards to BUF 16, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 16 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CLE-54-B.Costanzo at BUF 16.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 5-T.Edwards pass short right to 23-M.Lynch to BUF 45 for 1 yard. Lateral to 83-L.Evans to BUF 45 for no gain. Pass back to 11-R.Parrish to CLE 35 for 20 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CLE-50-E.Bar
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 27:23) — (12:23) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short middle to 23-M.Lynch to CLE 26 for 35 yards (21-B.Pool, 23-H.Poteat). Caught at BUF 45, slanting from right.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 30:00) — (:00) (Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson sacked ob at CLE 45 for -1 yards (95-K.Williams).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 2:08) — (2:08) 31-J.Lewis left end pushed ob at BUF 5 for 10 yards (59-A.Palmer).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) 15-D.Zastudil punts 57 yards to BUF 16, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 16 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CLE-54-B.Costanzo at BUF 16.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 27:23) — (12:23) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short middle to 23-M.Lynch to CLE 26 for 35 yards (21-B.Pool, 23-H.Poteat). Caught at BUF 45, slanting from right.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 18:55) — (3:55) 3-D.Anderson pass deep left intended for 11-M.Massaquoi INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd at BUF 36. 31-J.Byrd to 50 for 14 yards (80-B.Robiskie). Receiver overthrown.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 39:41) — (9:41) 16-J.Cribbs left end to BUF 15 for 31 yards (31-J.Byrd, 27-R.Corner). End-around.
Quarterback report card
T.Edwards led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Edwards (Buffalo Bills) · 38 dropbacks · 42.1% completion · -7.0% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -6.75 total EPA
- D.Anderson (Cleveland Browns) · 19 dropbacks · 10.5% completion · -45.8% CPOE · -0.86 EPA/play · -16.33 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.150 | -0.161 |
| Offensive success rate | 35.5% | 31.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.859 | -0.178 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.071 | -0.168 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.161 | +0.150 |
| Defensive success rate | 68.8% | 64.5% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns -0.15, Buffalo Bills -0.16) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Buffalo Bills: 13 drives, -14.96 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 13 drives, -11.40 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Cleveland Browns 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. Cribbs (Cleveland Browns) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Edwards (BUF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- D. Anderson (CLE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 37:31 · BUF 7 · Score 3-0
(7:31) 8-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-15-D.Zastudil. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 25:15 · CLE 18 · Score 3-3
(10:15) 9-R.Lindell 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 0:26 · BUF 1 · Score 6-3
(:26) 8-B.Cundiff 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-15-D.Zastudil.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Buffalo Bills 6-3 in Week 5, 2009 on 2009-10-11.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 6, Buffalo Bills 3 (CLE 6-3 BUF) in Week 5, 2009 on 2009-10-11.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills?
Q2: Cleveland Browns 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Q3: Cleveland Browns 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q4: Cleveland Browns 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: Cleveland Browns 6, Buffalo Bills 3.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills?
Cleveland Browns field goal — B. Cundiff (Q2 37:31, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — R. Lindell (Q3 25:15, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — B. Cundiff (Q4 0:26, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills?
T. Edwards (Buffalo Bills), 42.1% completion, -7.0% CPOE, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -6.75 total passing EPA. D. Anderson (Cleveland Browns), 10.5% completion, -45.8% CPOE, -0.86 EPA per dropback, -16.33 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills?
J. Cribbs (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +2.76 on rushing plays. across 1 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.17 EPA): (3:10) 15-D.Zastudil punts 57 yards to BUF 16, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 16 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CLE-54-B.Costanzo at BUF 16.. The biggest win-probability swing was +31.7%.
Was Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Cleveland Browns won 6-3 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 0-4 Now 1-4 W
Buffalo Bills
Entered 1-3 Now 1-4 L
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
