Game story
In Week 16 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-12-24, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 20–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Kizer (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -19.07 total EPA, and -10.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D.Johnson Jr. (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.65 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-9.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (2:04) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass deep right intended for 12-J.Gordon INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Fuller at CHI -5. Touchback.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Chicago Bears | 6 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D.Johnson Jr. · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +7.65 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 2 B. Cunningham · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.53 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.77 EPA/play
- 3 M. Trubisky · Chicago Bears · Passing · +2.46 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 4 R. Louis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.71 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
- 5 J. Bellamy · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.49 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 6 K. Wright · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +0.62 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 7 T. Cohen · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +0.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 8 M. Dayes · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +0.16 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D.Johnson Jr. — CLE · Receiving
D.Johnson Jr. posted the highest total EPA (+7.65) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.09 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.51 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 81-R.Higgins to CHI 3 for 17 yards (59-D.Trevathan, 91-E.Goldman) [93-S.Acho]. FUMBLES (59-D.Trevathan), RECOVERED by CHI-20-P.Amukamara at CHI -4. Touchback (81-R.Higgins).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Chicago Bears — B. Massie
- Chicago Bears — unlisted player
- Chicago Bears — M. Trubisky
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — Z. Gonzalez
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 6–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 24-Jo.Howard right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CHI-70-B.Massie was injured during the play..
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CHI 30 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CLE 16 (Q3 27:30) — (12:30) 24-Jo.Howard left guard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 27:23) — 1-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q3 18:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 18:27).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 32:04) — (2:04) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass deep right intended for 12-J.Gordon INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Fuller at CHI -5. Touchback.
- Chicago Bears (Q3 28:23) — (13:23) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short right to 30-B.Cunningham to CLE 16 for 40 yards (43-K.Nacua).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 30:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass deep left to 80-R.Louis to CHI 30 for 35 yards (20-P.Amukamara).
- Chicago Bears (Q2 30:01) — 5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 42 yards from CLE 35 to CHI 23. 95-R.Robertson-Harris to CHI 30 for 7 yards.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 51:31) — (6:31) 10-M.Trubisky pass deep right to 88-D.Sims ran ob at CLE 33 for 24 yards.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 15:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 81-R.Higgins to CHI 3 for 17 yards (59-D.Trevathan, 91-E.Goldman) [93-S.Acho]. FUMBLES (59-D.Trevathan), RECOVERED by CHI-20-P.Amukamara at CHI -4. Touchba
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 32:04) — (2:04) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass deep right intended for 12-J.Gordon INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Fuller at CHI -5. Touchback.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 4:21) — (4:21) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left intended for 81-R.Higgins INTERCEPTED by 37-B.Callahan [93-S.Acho] at CHI 37. 37-B.Callahan to CLE 42 for 21 yards (34-I.Crowell).
- Chicago Bears (Q3 28:23) — (13:23) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short right to 30-B.Cunningham to CLE 16 for 40 yards (43-K.Nacua).
Quarterback report card
D.Kizer led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Kizer (Cleveland Browns) · 40 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · -10.6% CPOE · -0.48 EPA/play · -19.07 total EPA
- M.Trubisky (Chicago Bears) · 34 dropbacks · 41.2% completion · -7.0% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.46 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.291 | -0.028 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.9% | 38.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.477 | +0.072 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.125 | -0.091 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.028 | +0.291 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.3% | 61.1% |
By the numbers
Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.29), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Chicago Bears: 12 drives, -2.25 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, -20.94 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Chicago Bears leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- D.Johnson Jr. (Cleveland Browns) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Kizer (CLE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- M. Trubisky (CHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 46:23 · CLE 2 · Score 0-6
(1:23) 24-Jo.Howard right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CHI-70-B.Massie was injured during the play. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · CHI 30 · Score 3-6
(:06) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 27:30 · CLE 16 · Score 3-12
(12:30) 24-Jo.Howard left guard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 27:23 · CLE 15 · Score 3-13
1-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 18:33 · CLE 4 · Score 3-19
(3:33) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 18:27 · CLE 15 · Score 3-20
1-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. PENALTY on CLE-94-C.Nassib, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears?
The Chicago Bears beat the Cleveland Browns 20-3 in Week 16, 2017 on 2017-12-24.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 3, Chicago Bears 20 (CLE 3-20 CHI) in Week 16, 2017 on 2017-12-24.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 0, Chicago Bears 6; Q2: Cleveland Browns 3, Chicago Bears 0; Q3: Cleveland Browns 0, Chicago Bears 14; Final: Cleveland Browns 3, Chicago Bears 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears?
Chicago Bears touchdown — B. Massie (Q1 46:23) Chicago Bears touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 27:30) Chicago Bears touchdown — M. Trubisky (Q3 18:33) Cleveland Browns field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q2 30:06, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears?
D. Kizer (Cleveland Browns), 45.0% completion, -10.6% CPOE, -0.48 EPA per dropback, -19.07 total passing EPA. M. Trubisky (Chicago Bears), 41.2% completion, -7.0% CPOE, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +2.46 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears?
D.Johnson Jr. (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +7.65 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.51 EPA): (:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 81-R.Higgins to CHI 3 for 17 yards (59-D.Trevathan, 91-E.Goldman) [93-S.Acho]. FUMBLES (59-D.Trevathan), RECOVERED by CHI-20-P.Amukamar. The biggest win-probability swing was -9.1%.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 0-14 Now 0-15 L
Chicago Bears
Entered 4-10 Now 5-10 W
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