Game story
In Week 3 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-09-25, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 13–6 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Dilfer (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -1.92 total EPA.
On the individual side, P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-10.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (8:46) 8-T.Dilfer sacked at CLE 46 for -10 yards (93-D.Freeney).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +11.62 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 2 R. Wayne · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +6.83 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 3 A. Bryant · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.83 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 4 M. Harrison · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 5 E. James · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
- 6 R. Droughns · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +2.05 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 7 B. Edwards · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 8 D. Clark · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.65 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Manning — IND · Passing
P. Manning posted the highest total EPA (+11.62) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Indianapolis Colts's efficiency. Across 25 counted snaps, they averaged +0.46 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.53 EPA) came from Indianapolis Colts: (7:02) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne ran ob at CLE 23 for 51 yards (33-D.McCutcheon).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Indianapolis Colts — E. James
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Indianapolis Colts — M. Vanderjagt
- Indianapolis Colts — M. Vanderjagt
- 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: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q1 49:14) — (4:14) 32-E.James up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 49:11) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the IND 22 (Q2 43:17) — (13:17) 4-P.Dawson 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CLE 3 (Q2 33:17) — (3:17) 13-M.Vanderjagt 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..
The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 3–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CLE 5 (Q3 22:11) — (7:11) 13-M.Vanderjagt 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the IND 5 (Q4 14:13) — (14:13) 4-P.Dawson 22 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 38:46) — (8:46) 8-T.Dilfer sacked at CLE 46 for -10 yards (93-D.Freeney).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q2 37:02) — (7:02) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne ran ob at CLE 23 for 51 yards (33-D.McCutcheon).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 17:12) — (2:12) 34-R.Droughns right end to IND 35 for 1 yard (21-B.Sanders, 79-R.Brock).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 51:58) — (6:58) 18-P.Manning pass to 32-E.James to CLE 36 for 20 yards (27-B.Russell, 58-B.Taylor).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 14:18) — (14:18) 8-T.Dilfer pass incomplete to 81-A.Bryant (25-N.Harper, 21-B.Sanders).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q2 37:02) — (7:02) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne ran ob at CLE 23 for 51 yards (33-D.McCutcheon).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 0:32) — (:32) 18-P.Manning kneels to CLE 9 for -1 yards.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 38:46) — (8:46) 8-T.Dilfer sacked at CLE 46 for -10 yards (93-D.Freeney).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 19:10) — (4:10) (Shotgun) 8-T.Dilfer pass to 17-B.Edwards to IND 45 for 20 yards (28-M.Jackson).
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) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · -0.06 EPA/play · -1.92 total EPA
- P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 25 dropbacks · 76.0% completion · +0.46 EPA/play · +11.62 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Indianapolis Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.037 | +0.030 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.3% | 51.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.056 | +0.465 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.015 | -0.129 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.030 | +0.037 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.5% | 59.7% |
By the numbers
Indianapolis Colts held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cleveland Browns: 8 drives, -2.68 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 8 drives, +2.07 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Indianapolis Colts 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.
- P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) 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.
- Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 49:14 · CLE 2 · Score 0-6
(4:14) 32-E.James up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 49:11 · CLE 2 · Score 0-7
13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 43:17 · IND 22 · Score 3-7
(13:17) 4-P.Dawson 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 33:17 · CLE 3 · Score 3-10
(3:17) 13-M.Vanderjagt 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q3 22:11 · CLE 5 · Score 3-13
(7:11) 13-M.Vanderjagt 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 14:13 · IND 5 · Score 6-13
(14:13) 4-P.Dawson 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts beat the Cleveland Browns 13-6 in Week 3, 2005 on 2005-09-25.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 6, Indianapolis Colts 13 (CLE 6-13 IND) in Week 3, 2005 on 2005-09-25.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 0, Indianapolis Colts 7; Q2: Cleveland Browns 3, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q3: Cleveland Browns 0, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q4: Cleveland Browns 3, Indianapolis Colts 0; Final: Cleveland Browns 6, Indianapolis Colts 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts?
Indianapolis Colts touchdown — E. James (Q1 49:14) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 43:17, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Vanderjagt (Q2 33:17, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Vanderjagt (Q3 22:11, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q4 14:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts?
T. Dilfer (Cleveland Browns), 64.7% completion, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -1.92 total passing EPA. P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts), 76.0% completion, +0.46 EPA per dropback, +11.62 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts?
P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) led the game in total EPA with +11.62 on passing plays. across 25 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.53 EPA): (7:02) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne ran ob at CLE 23 for 51 yards (33-D.McCutcheon).. The biggest win-probability swing was -10.1%.
Was Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Indianapolis Colts won 13-6 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W
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