Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2009 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-12-20, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 41–34 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +5.16 total EPA, and +2.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Harrison (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.18 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+25.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (2:26) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short middle to 83-M.Bradley for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Harrison · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +19.18 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Chambers · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +9.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.83 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +6.05 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Cassel · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +5.16 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Stuckey · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.18 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Quinn · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +3.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Cottam · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Bradley · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Cleveland Browns — J. Cribbs (Q1 49:12)
• Kansas City Chiefs — C. Chambers (M. Cassel pass) (Q2 40:09)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Charles (Q2 34:19)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Hodges (Q2 32:49)
• Cleveland Browns — J. Cribbs (Q2 32:44)
• Cleveland Browns — J. Harrison (Q3 28:27)
• Cleveland Browns — J. Harrison (Q4 12:14)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Bradley (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 2:26)
• Cleveland Browns — J. Harrison (Q4 0:52)

Field goals

• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q1 55:18)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Succop (Q1 49:15)
• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q2 42:36)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Succop (Q4 8:12)

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 10–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 29 (Q1 55:18) — (10:18) 4-P.Dawson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 12 (Q1 49:15) — (4:15) 6-R.Succop 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 30 (Q1 49:12) — 6-R.Succop kicks 70 yards from KC 30 to CLE 0. 16-J.Cribbs for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 48:56) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 21–10. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 13 (Q2 42:36) — (12:36) 4-P.Dawson 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 9 (Q2 40:09) — (10:09) (No Huddle) 7-M.Cassel pass short left to 11-C.Chambers for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 40:04) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 47 (Q2 34:19) — (4:19) 25-J.Charles left end for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 34:10); Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the KC 80 (Q2 32:49); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 32:44) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 30 (Q2 32:44) — 6-R.Succop kicks 73 yards from KC 30 to CLE -3. 16-J.Cribbs for 103 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 32:31) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges..

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 71 (Q3 28:27) — (13:27) 35-J.Harrison up the middle for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 28:16) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges..

The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 14–10. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 8 (Q4 12:14) — (12:14) (No Huddle) 35-J.Harrison up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 12:09) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 9 (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) 6-R.Succop 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 12 (Q4 2:26) — (2:26) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short middle to 83-M.Bradley for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 2:20) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 28 (Q4 0:52) — (:52) 35-J.Harrison right end for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 0:44) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 2:26) — (2:26) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short middle to 83-M.Bradley for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.4% · EPA +4.36]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 28:27) — (13:27) 35-J.Harrison up the middle for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.4% · EPA +6.21]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:52) — (:52) 35-J.Harrison right end for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.7% · EPA +4.22]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 49:12) — 6-R.Succop kicks 70 yards from KC 30 to CLE 0. 16-J.Cribbs for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.6% · EPA +6.70]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 52:49) — (7:49) (No Huddle) 46-T.Castille up the middle to CLE 35 for 1 yard (99-C.Williams, 96-D.Bowens). FUMBLES (99-C.Williams), RECOVERED by CLE-53-M.Roth at CLE 35. 53-M.Roth to CLE 42 for 7 yards (74-W.S [WPA -17.9% · EPA -5.30]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Cleveland Browns (Q1 49:12) — 6-R.Succop kicks 70 yards from KC 30 to CLE 0. 16-J.Cribbs for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.6% · EPA +6.70]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 32:44) — 6-R.Succop kicks 73 yards from KC 30 to CLE -3. 16-J.Cribbs for 103 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.0% · EPA +6.42]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 28:27) — (13:27) 35-J.Harrison up the middle for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.4% · EPA +6.21]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 32:49) — (2:49) 2-R.Hodges Aborted. 64-R.Pontbriand FUMBLES at CLE -1, RECOVERED by KC-96-A.Studebaker at CLE -1. TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CLE, Illegal Motion, declined. Snap deflected off the leg of N.Sorensen w [WPA -11.4% · EPA -6.02]

Quarterback report card

M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) · 42 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · +2.5% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +5.16 total EPA
• B.Quinn (Cleveland Browns) · 17 dropbacks · 58.8% completion · +1.2% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -4.12 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Cleveland Browns generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cleveland Browns: 14 drives, +20.01 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, +10.46 total EPA, 5 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. Harrison (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.

1. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q1 55:18 · KC 29 · Score 3-0
   (10:18) 4-P.Dawson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.
2. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 49:15 · CLE 12 · Score 3-3
   (4:15) 6-R.Succop 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 49:12 · KC 30 · Score 9-3
   6-R.Succop kicks 70 yards from KC 30 to CLE 0. 16-J.Cribbs for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 48:56 · KC 2 · Score 10-3
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.
5. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 42:36 · KC 13 · Score 13-3
   (12:36) 4-P.Dawson 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.
6. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 40:09 · CLE 9 · Score 13-9
   (10:09) (No Huddle) 7-M.Cassel pass short left to 11-C.Chambers for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 40:04 · CLE 2 · Score 13-10
   6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
8. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 34:19 · CLE 47 · Score 13-16
   (4:19) 25-J.Charles left end for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 34:10 · CLE 2 · Score 13-17
   (Kick formation) 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. PENALTY on CLE-99-C.Williams, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced between
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 32:49 · KC 80 · Score 13-23
    (2:49) 2-R.Hodges Aborted. 64-R.Pontbriand FUMBLES at CLE -1, RECOVERED by KC-96-A.Studebaker at CLE -1. TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CLE, Illegal Motion, declined. Sn
11. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 32:44 · CLE 2 · Score 13-24
    6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
12. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 32:44 · KC 30 · Score 19-24
    6-R.Succop kicks 73 yards from KC 30 to CLE -3. 16-J.Cribbs for 103 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 32:31 · KC 2 · Score 20-24
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.
14. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 28:27 · KC 71 · Score 26-24
    (13:27) 35-J.Harrison up the middle for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 28:16 · KC 2 · Score 27-24
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.
16. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 12:14 · KC 8 · Score 33-24
    (12:14) (No Huddle) 35-J.Harrison up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 12:09 · KC 2 · Score 34-24
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.
18. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 8:12 · CLE 9 · Score 34-27
    (8:12) 6-R.Succop 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
19. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 2:26 · CLE 12 · Score 34-33
    (2:26) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short middle to 83-M.Bradley for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 2:20 · CLE 2 · Score 34-34
    6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
21. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 0:52 · KC 28 · Score 40-34
    (:52) 35-J.Harrison right end for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 0:44 · KC 2 · Score 41-34
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.