Game story
In Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-21, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 17–14 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Keenum (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +7.02 total EPA, and -1.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Keenum (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.02 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+10.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (5:23) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 33-J.Williams for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Cleveland Browns | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Keenum · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +7.02 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 2 T. Bridgewater · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.07 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 3 D. Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +5.09 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 4 C. Sutton · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.70 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 5 J. Williams · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.23 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 6 M. Gordon · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 7 A. Hooper · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 8 D. Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Keenum — CLE · Passing
C. Keenum posted the highest total EPA (+7.02) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.19 EPA per play.
The signature play (-3.56 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (:23) 5-C.Keenum kneels to DEN 13 for -1 yards.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — D. Johnson
- Denver Broncos — M. Gordon (T. Bridgewater pass)
- Cleveland Browns — J. Stanton (C. Keenum pass)
- Denver Broncos — J. Williams (T. Bridgewater pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — C. McLaughlin
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 10–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q1 57:29) — (12:29) 30-D.Johnson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 57:20) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the DEN 34 (Q1 48:14) — (3:14) 3-C.McLaughlin 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CLE 8 (Q3 22:53) — (7:53) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 25-M.Gordon for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 22:48) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q3 15:31) — (:31) 5-C.Keenum pass short left to 40-J.Stanton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 15:27) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CLE 10 (Q4 5:23) — (5:23) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 33-J.Williams for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 5:17) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 5:23) — (5:23) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 33-J.Williams for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 22:53) — (7:53) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 25-M.Gordon for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 59:31) — (14:31) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass short middle to 81-A.Hooper pushed ob at DEN 34 for 34 yards (43-M.Kiser).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 15:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum scrambles up the middle to DEN 1 for 5 yards (29-B.Callahan; 40-J.Strnad).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 3-C.McLaughlin 41 yard field goal is BLOCKED (96-S.Harris), Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:23) — (:23) 5-C.Keenum kneels to DEN 13 for -1 yards.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 15:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum scrambles up the middle to DEN 1 for 5 yards (29-B.Callahan; 40-J.Strnad).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 3-C.McLaughlin 41 yard field goal is BLOCKED (96-S.Harris), Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep middle intended for 17-J.Brown INTERCEPTED by 43-J.Johnson at CLE -4. Touchback.
Quarterback report card
C.Keenum led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Keenum (Cleveland Browns) · 36 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · -1.4% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +7.02 total EPA
- T.Bridgewater (Denver Broncos) · 36 dropbacks · 63.9% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +6.07 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.061 | +0.082 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.8% | 54.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.169 | +0.195 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.066 | +0.153 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.082 | -0.061 |
| Defensive success rate | 45.8% | 56.2% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Denver Broncos +0.06, Cleveland Browns +0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cleveland Browns: 8 drives, +6.83 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 8 drives, +3.90 total EPA, 2 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.
- C. Keenum (Cleveland Browns) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Bridgewater (DEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 57:29 · DEN 4 · Score 0-6
(12:29) 30-D.Johnson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 57:20 · DEN 15 · Score 0-7
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q1 48:14 · DEN 34 · Score 0-10
(3:14) 3-C.McLaughlin 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 22:53 · CLE 8 · Score 6-10
(7:53) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 25-M.Gordon for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 22:48 · CLE 15 · Score 7-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 15:31 · DEN 1 · Score 7-16
(:31) 5-C.Keenum pass short left to 40-J.Stanton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 15:27 · DEN 15 · Score 7-17
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 5:23 · CLE 10 · Score 13-17
(5:23) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 33-J.Williams for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 5:17 · CLE 15 · Score 14-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Denver Broncos 17-14 in Week 7, 2021 on 2021-10-21.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Denver Broncos 14, Cleveland Browns 17 (DEN 14-17 CLE) in Week 7, 2021 on 2021-10-21.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Denver Broncos 0, Cleveland Browns 10; Q3: Denver Broncos 7, Cleveland Browns 7; Q4: Denver Broncos 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Final: Denver Broncos 14, Cleveland Browns 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Johnson (Q1 57:29) Denver Broncos touchdown — M. Gordon (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q3 22:53) Cleveland Browns touchdown — J. Stanton (C. Keenum pass) (Q3 15:31) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Williams (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 5:23) Cleveland Browns field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q1 48:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns?
C. Keenum (Cleveland Browns), 58.3% completion, -1.4% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +7.02 total passing EPA. T. Bridgewater (Denver Broncos), 63.9% completion, +5.0% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +6.07 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns?
C. Keenum (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +7.02 on passing plays. across 36 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-3.56 EPA): (:23) 5-C.Keenum kneels to DEN 13 for -1 yards.. The biggest win-probability swing was +10.0%.
Was Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Cleveland Browns won 17-14 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Entered 3-3 Now 3-4 L
Cleveland Browns
Entered 3-3 Now 4-3 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
