Game story
In Week 15 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-12-19, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 21–0 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
L. McCown (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -21.69 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Gates (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.14 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+15.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (10:02) 8-D.Frost punts 34 yards to LAC 6, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 29-D.Florence MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CLE-35-D.Carter at LAC 5.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.14 EPA/play
- 2 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +6.01 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 3 D. Brees · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +4.00 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 4 L. Suggs · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +3.48 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 5 E. Parker · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
- 6 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 7 L. Neal · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +1.42 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 8 S. Heiden · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · -0.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.05 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Gates — LAC · Receiving
A. Gates posted the highest total EPA (+6.14) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 1 counted snaps, they averaged +6.14 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.14 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (D. Brees pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q1 47:13) — (2:13) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 47:09) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the CLE 72 (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 32:11) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q3 23:36) — (8:36) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 23:32) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 55:02) — (10:02) 8-D.Frost punts 34 yards to LAC 6, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 29-D.Florence MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CLE-35-D.Carter at LAC 5.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 54:51) — (9:51) 12-L.McCown pass intended for 42-T.Smith INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 0. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 52:16) — (7:16) 5-M.Scifres punts 40 yards to CLE 27, Center-50-D.Binn. 86-D.Northcutt to CLE 32 for 5 yards (45-R.Butler). PENALTY on CLE-48-S.Coates, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at LAC 33 - No Pl
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 57:08) — (12:08) 86-D.Northcutt right end to LAC 45 for 1 yard (59-D.Edwards).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 54:51) — (9:51) 12-L.McCown pass intended for 42-T.Smith INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 0. Touchback.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 55:02) — (10:02) 8-D.Frost punts 34 yards to LAC 6, Center-64-R.Pontbriand. 29-D.Florence MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CLE-35-D.Carter at LAC 5.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 52:16) — (7:16) 5-M.Scifres punts 40 yards to CLE 27, Center-50-D.Binn. 86-D.Northcutt to CLE 32 for 5 yards (45-R.Butler). PENALTY on CLE-48-S.Coates, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at LAC 33 - No Pl
Quarterback report card
L.McCown led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- L.McCown (Cleveland Browns) · 29 dropbacks · 37.9% completion · -0.75 EPA/play · -21.69 total EPA
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 7 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +0.57 EPA/play · +4.00 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.101 | -0.247 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.6% | 27.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.571 | -0.725 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.089 | +0.106 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.247 | -0.101 |
| Defensive success rate | 72.2% | 54.4% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.25), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, -17.79 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +6.87 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- A. Gates (Los Angeles Chargers) 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.
- Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 47:13 · CLE 1 · Score 6-0
(2:13) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 47:09 · CLE 2 · Score 7-0
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 32:24 · CLE 72 · Score 13-0
(2:24) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 32:11 · CLE 2 · Score 14-0
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 23:36 · CLE 1 · Score 20-0
(8:36) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 23:32 · CLE 2 · Score 21-0
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Cleveland Browns 21-0 in Week 15, 2004 on 2004-12-19.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 21, Cleveland Browns 0 (LAC 21-0 CLE) in Week 15, 2004 on 2004-12-19.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 21, Cleveland Browns 0.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q1 47:13) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Gates (D. Brees pass) (Q2 32:24) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q3 23:36) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns?
L. McCown (Cleveland Browns), 37.9% completion, -0.75 EPA per dropback, -21.69 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 57.1% completion, +0.57 EPA per dropback, +4.00 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns?
A. Gates (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +6.14 on receiving plays. across 1 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.14 EPA): (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +15.9%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 10-3 Now 11-3 W
Cleveland Browns
Entered 3-10 Now 3-11 L
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
