Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns: 2002 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-08, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 40–39 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +12.53 total EPA.

On the individual side, K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.53 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+41.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (:02) 76-J.Tait up the middle to CLE 25 for 28 yards. PENALTY on CLE-57-D.Rudd, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 13 yards, enforced at CLE 25. Tate received lateral from Green

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 K. Holcomb · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +12.53 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Green · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +11.13 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
3. 3 Q. Morgan · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +8.84 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Kennison · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +7.92 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Holmes · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +6.47 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Gonzalez · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +5.16 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.13 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.11 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

• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Gonzalez (T. Green pass) (Q1 53:30)
• Cleveland Browns — D. Northcutt (K. Holcomb pass) (Q2 42:27)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q2 38:48)
• Cleveland Browns — Q. Morgan (K. Johnson pass) (Q2 35:46)
• Cleveland Browns — A. Davis (K. Holcomb pass) (Q3 22:14)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 9:18)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 8:12)
• Cleveland Browns — Q. Morgan (K. Holcomb pass) (Q4 6:01)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 3:11)

Field goals

• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q1 57:37)
• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q1 48:19)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Andersen (Q3 17:07)
• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q4 11:59)
• Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q4 0:29)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Andersen (Q4 0:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–6. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 3 (Q1 57:37) — (12:37) 4-P.Dawson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 17 (Q1 53:30) — (8:30) 10-T.Green pass to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 53:21) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 15 (Q1 48:19) — (3:19) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 14–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 43 (Q2 42:27) — (12:27) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 42:19) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 5 (Q2 38:48) — (8:48) 31-P.Holmes left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 38:41) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 33 (Q2 35:46) — (5:46) 85-K.Johnson pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 10 hands ball off to 30 who hands off to 85 who throws to 81 for TD; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 35:38) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q3 22:14) — (7:14) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 87-A.Davis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 22:09) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 15 (Q3 17:07) — (2:07) 8-M.Andersen 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 23–12. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 16 (Q4 11:59) — (11:59) 4-P.Dawson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 26 (Q4 9:18) — (9:18) 31-P.Holmes left guard for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 9:06) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 15 (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) 31-P.Holmes left guard for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 8:05) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the KC 44 (Q4 6:01) — (6:01) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on KC-24-W.Bartee, Illegal Contact, declined.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CLE 7 (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) 31-P.Holmes right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the KC 23 (Q4 0:29); Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CLE 12 (Q4 0:00) — (:00) 8-M.Andersen 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 76-J.Tait up the middle to CLE 25 for 28 yards. PENALTY on CLE-57-D.Rudd, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 13 yards, enforced at CLE 25. Tate received lateral from Green [WPA +41.4% · EPA +2.55]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:00) — (:00) 8-M.Andersen 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski. [WPA +33.5% · EPA +0.33]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:01) — (6:01) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on KC-24-W.Bartee, Illegal Contact, declined. [WPA +18.6% · EPA +4.29]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 8:18) — (8:18) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb sacked at CLE 15 for -7 yards (99-D.Clemons). FUMBLES (99-D.Clemons), touched at CLE 15, RECOVERED by KC-93-J.Browning at CLE 15. [WPA -16.7% · EPA -4.27]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:29) — (:29) 4-P.Dawson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. PENALTY on CLE-17-C.Gardocki, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +15.9% · EPA +0.79]

Impact plays

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 40:13) — (10:13) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison to CLE 7 for 64 yards (37-A.Henry). [WPA +10.3% · EPA +4.56]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:01) — (6:01) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on KC-24-W.Bartee, Illegal Contact, declined. [WPA +18.6% · EPA +4.29]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 58:39) — (13:39) 10-T.Green pass intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 33-D.McCutcheon at KC 30. 33-D.McCutcheon ran ob at KC 6 for 24 yards (54-B.Waters). [WPA -11.8% · EPA -4.29]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 8:18) — (8:18) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb sacked at CLE 15 for -7 yards (99-D.Clemons). FUMBLES (99-D.Clemons), touched at CLE 15, RECOVERED by KC-93-J.Browning at CLE 15. [WPA -16.7% · EPA -4.27]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) · 44 dropbacks · 61.4% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +12.53 total EPA
• T.Green (Kansas City Chiefs) · 32 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +0.35 EPA/play · +11.13 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Kansas City Chiefs +0.27, Cleveland Browns +0.22) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, +17.69 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 12 drives, +22.86 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs 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.
• K. Holcomb (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 57:37 · KC 3 · Score 0-3
   (12:37) 4-P.Dawson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
2. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 53:30 · CLE 17 · Score 6-3
   (8:30) 10-T.Green pass to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 53:21 · CLE 2 · Score 7-3
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
4. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q1 48:19 · KC 15 · Score 7-6
   (3:19) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
5. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 42:27 · KC 43 · Score 7-12
   (12:27) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 42:19 · KC 2 · Score 7-13
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 38:48 · CLE 5 · Score 13-13
   (8:48) 31-P.Holmes left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 38:41 · CLE 2 · Score 14-13
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
9. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 35:46 · KC 33 · Score 14-19
   (5:46) 85-K.Johnson pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 10 hands ball off to 30 who hands off to 85 who throws to 81 for TD
10. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 35:38 · KC 2 · Score 14-20
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
11. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 22:14 · KC 4 · Score 14-26
    (7:14) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 87-A.Davis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 22:09 · KC 2 · Score 14-27
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
13. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 17:07 · CLE 15 · Score 17-27
    (2:07) 8-M.Andersen 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
14. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 11:59 · KC 16 · Score 17-30
    (11:59) 4-P.Dawson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 9:18 · CLE 26 · Score 23-30
    (9:18) 31-P.Holmes left guard for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 9:06 · CLE 2 · Score 24-30
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
17. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 8:12 · CLE 15 · Score 30-30
    (8:12) 31-P.Holmes left guard for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 8:05 · CLE 2 · Score 31-30
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
19. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 6:01 · KC 44 · Score 31-36
    (6:01) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on KC-24-W.Bartee, Illegal Contact, declined.
20. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 3:11 · CLE 7 · Score 37-36
    (3:11) 31-P.Holmes right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 0:29 · KC 23 · Score 37-39
    (:29) 4-P.Dawson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. PENALTY on CLE-17-C.Gardocki, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
22. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · CLE 12 · Score 40-39
    (:00) 8-M.Andersen 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.