Game story
In Week 15 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-14, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +2.52 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+23.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.)
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | OT | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Denver Broncos | 10 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Couch · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +13.09 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 2 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +8.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.68 EPA/play
- 3 S. Sharpe · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.61 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 4 An. Davis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.43 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.43 EPA/play
- 5 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
- 6 K. Heinrich · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.64 EPA/play
- 7 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 8 E. McCaffrey · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Couch — CLE · Passing
T. Couch posted the highest total EPA (+13.09) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 23 counted snaps, they averaged +0.57 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.43 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.)
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — C. Portis
- Cleveland Browns — K. Heinrich (T. Couch pass)
- Denver Broncos — C. Portis
- Cleveland Browns — T. Couch
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
- Cleveland Browns — B. Conway
- Cleveland Browns — B. Conway
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q1 55:10) — (10:10) 26-C.Portis left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 55:06) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CLE 33 (Q1 46:38) — (1:38) 1-J.Elam 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 10–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the DEN 21 (Q2 36:05) — (6:05) 5-B.Conway 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q2 30:01); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 30:00) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CLE 13 (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) 26-C.Portis left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 10:43) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the DEN 35 (Q4 7:55) — (7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 7:48) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the DEN 30 (Q4 1:16) — (1:16) 5-B.Conway 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CLE 17 (Q4 0:11) — (:11) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
Overtime: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CLE 7 (OT 9:56) — (9:56) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 7:55) — (7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.)
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 2:40) — (2:40) 2-T.Couch pass incomplete to 81-Q.Morgan (35-L.Walls). PENALTY on DEN-35-L.Walls, Defensive Pass Interference, 33 yards, enforced at CLE 38 - No Play.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie to CLE 17 for 46 yards (39-M.Lehan).
- Denver Broncos (OT 14:00) — (14:00) 16-J.Plummer left end to CLE 30 for 23 yards (27-R.Williams).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 30:01) — (:01) 2-T.Couch pass to 49-K.Heinrich for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DEN-56-A.Wilson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 0 yards, enforced between downs.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 7:55) — (7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.)
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 52:50) — (7:50) 5-B.Conway 38 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 30:01) — (:01) 2-T.Couch pass to 49-K.Heinrich for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DEN-56-A.Wilson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 0 yards, enforced between downs.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 84-S.Sharpe INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Griffith at CLE 0. Touchback.
Quarterback report card
J.Plummer led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Plummer (Denver Broncos) · 40 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +2.52 total EPA
- T.Couch (Cleveland Browns) · 23 dropbacks · 34.8% completion · +0.57 EPA/play · +13.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.044 | +0.039 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.9% | 51.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.438 | +0.093 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.297 | +0.015 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.039 | -0.044 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.5% | 61.1% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns +0.04, Denver Broncos +0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, +3.17 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +3.89 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos 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.
- T. Couch (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.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 55:10 · CLE 1 · Score 0-6
(10:10) 26-C.Portis left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 55:06 · CLE 2 · Score 0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 46:38 · CLE 33 · Score 0-10
(1:38) 1-J.Elam 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 36:05 · DEN 21 · Score 3-10
(6:05) 5-B.Conway 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 30:01 · DEN 1 · Score 9-10
(:01) 2-T.Couch pass to 49-K.Heinrich for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DEN-56-A.Wilson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 0 yards, enforced between downs. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · DEN 2 · Score 10-10
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 10:47 · CLE 13 · Score 10-16
(10:47) 26-C.Portis left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 10:43 · CLE 2 · Score 10-17
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 7:55 · DEN 35 · Score 16-17
(7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.) - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 7:48 · DEN 2 · Score 17-17
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 1:16 · DEN 30 · Score 20-17
(1:16) 5-B.Conway 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:11 · CLE 17 · Score 20-20
(:11) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — OT 9:56 · CLE 7 · Score 20-23
(9:56) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns 23-20 in Week 15, 2003 on 2003-12-14.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 20, Denver Broncos 23 (CLE 20-23 DEN) in Week 15, 2003 on 2003-12-14.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 0, Denver Broncos 10; Q2: Cleveland Browns 10, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Cleveland Browns 10, Denver Broncos 10; Q5: Cleveland Browns 0, Denver Broncos 3; Final: Cleveland Browns 20, Denver Broncos 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Portis (Q1 55:10) Cleveland Browns touchdown — K. Heinrich (T. Couch pass) (Q2 30:01) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Portis (Q4 10:47) Cleveland Browns touchdown — T. Couch (Q4 7:55) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q1 46:38, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — B. Conway (Q2 36:05, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — B. Conway (Q4 1:16, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q4 0:11, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (OT 9:56, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos?
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos), 55.0% completion, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +2.52 total passing EPA. T. Couch (Cleveland Browns), 34.8% completion, +0.57 EPA per dropback, +13.09 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos?
T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +13.09 on passing plays. across 23 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.43 EPA): (7:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-An. Davis for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by DEN at 07:48.). The biggest win-probability swing was +23.6%.
Was Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 4-9 Now 4-10 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W
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