Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans: 2002 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-22, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Tennessee Titans, pulling away with a 31–28 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +8.90 total EPA.

On the individual side, A. Davis (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.21 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+24.4% win probability) landed in overtime when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (12:10) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis ran ob at TEN 22 for 31 yards. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.

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 A. Davis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +10.21 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Couch · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +8.90 total EPA · 60 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Simon · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
5. 5 S. McNair · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +1.89 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Dyson · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +1.67 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Heiden · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Couch · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +1.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.57 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 — A. Davis (T. Couch pass) (Q1 56:00)
• Tennessee Titans — E. George (Q1 46:44)
• Tennessee Titans — J. Simon (S. McNair pass) (Q2 38:59)
• Tennessee Titans — A. Dyson (Q2 33:03)
• Cleveland Browns — D. Northcutt (Q3 16:41)
• Tennessee Titans — K. Dyson (S. McNair pass) (Q4 5:11)
• Cleveland Browns — A. Davis (T. Couch pass) (Q4 2:41)
• Cleveland Browns — D. Northcutt (T. Couch pass) (Q4 0:18)

Field goals

• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (OT 10:51)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the TEN 14 (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q1 55:55) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q1 46:44) — (1:44) 27-E.George right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 46:40) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

The second quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 14–0. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the CLE 12 (Q2 38:59) — (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass to 45-J.Simon for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 38:55); Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the TEN 89 (Q2 33:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass intended for 85-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Dyson at CLE 16. 22-A.Dyson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 32:56) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CLE 63 (Q3 16:41) — (1:41) 15-C.Hentrich punts 37 yards to CLE 26, Center-60-A.Graham. 86-D.Northcutt for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 16:25) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 14–7. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the CLE 7 (Q4 5:11) — (5:11) 9-S.McNair pass to 87-K.Dyson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 5:06) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the TEN 12 (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q4 2:35) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the TEN 8 (Q4 0:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q4 0:12) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Overtime: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the TEN 15 (OT 10:51) — (10:51) 4-P.Dawson 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Turning points

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

• Cleveland Browns (OT 12:10) — (12:10) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis ran ob at TEN 22 for 31 yards. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld. [WPA +24.4% · EPA +2.18]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.3% · EPA +3.59]
• Cleveland Browns (OT 13:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan to CLE 35 for 10 yards (36-M.Echols). [WPA +13.1% · EPA +1.47]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 2:35) — (Onside Kick formation) 4-P.Dawson kicks onside 28 yards from CLE 30 to TEN 42. RECOVERED by CLE-86-D.Northcutt. Play Challenged by TEN and Upheld. (Timeout #2.) [WPA -12.8% · EPA -2.57]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 16:41) — (1:41) 15-C.Hentrich punts 37 yards to CLE 26, Center-60-A.Graham. 86-D.Northcutt for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -11.1% · EPA -6.90]

Impact plays

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

• Tennessee Titans (Q3 16:41) — (1:41) 15-C.Hentrich punts 37 yards to CLE 26, Center-60-A.Graham. 86-D.Northcutt for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -11.1% · EPA -6.90]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 33:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass intended for 85-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Dyson at CLE 16. 22-A.Dyson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -9.1% · EPA -6.08]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 15-C.Hentrich punts 28 yards to CLE 9, Center-60-A.Graham. 86-D.Northcutt MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by TEN-20-M.Green at CLE 9. 20-M.Green to CLE 9 for no gain (86-D.Northcutt). [WPA +4.2% · EPA +4.98]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 27:07) — (12:07) 31-W.Green left guard to TEN 49 for no gain (53-K.Bulluck). FUMBLES (53-K.Bulluck), RECOVERED by TEN-31-L.Schulters at CLE 49. Play Challenged by CLE and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 11:59.) [WPA -5.3% · EPA -4.84]

Quarterback report card

T.Couch led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Couch (Cleveland Browns) · 60 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +0.15 EPA/play · +8.90 total EPA
• S.McNair (Tennessee Titans) · 25 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +0.08 EPA/play · +1.89 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 (-0.01 vs -0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cleveland Browns: 14 drives, -1.00 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 15 drives, -5.99 total EPA, 4 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.
• A. Davis (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 TD (+6) — Q1 56:00 · TEN 14 · Score 6-0
   (11:00) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 55:55 · TEN 2 · Score 7-0
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
3. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 46:44 · CLE 2 · Score 7-6
   (1:44) 27-E.George right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 46:40 · CLE 2 · Score 7-7
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
5. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 38:59 · CLE 12 · Score 7-13
   (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass to 45-J.Simon for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 38:55 · CLE 2 · Score 7-14
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich. PENALTY on CLE-58-B.Taylor, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
7. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 33:03 · TEN 89 · Score 7-20
   (3:03) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass intended for 85-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Dyson at CLE 16. 22-A.Dyson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 32:56 · CLE 2 · Score 7-21
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
9. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 16:41 · CLE 63 · Score 13-21
   (1:41) 15-C.Hentrich punts 37 yards to CLE 26, Center-60-A.Graham. 86-D.Northcutt for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 16:25 · TEN 2 · Score 14-21
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
11. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 5:11 · CLE 7 · Score 14-27
    (5:11) 9-S.McNair pass to 87-K.Dyson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 5:06 · CLE 2 · Score 14-28
    6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
13. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 2:41 · TEN 12 · Score 20-28
    (2:41) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 2:35 · TEN 2 · Score 21-28
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
15. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 0:18 · TEN 8 · Score 27-28
    (:18) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 0:12 · TEN 2 · Score 28-28
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
17. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — OT 10:51 · TEN 15 · Score 31-28
    (10:51) 4-P.Dawson 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.