Game story
In Week 15 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-16, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 38–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Cousins (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with +12.85 total EPA, and +6.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, K. Cousins (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-15.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (14:21) 3-B.Weeden pass short middle intended for 15-G.Little INTERCEPTED by 50-R.Jackson at CLE 32. 50-R.Jackson to CLE 15 for 17 yards (66-S.Lauvao).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 7 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 38 |
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 K. Cousins · Washington Commanders · Passing · +12.85 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 2 T. Benjamin · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.57 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.57 EPA/play
- 3 L. Hankerson · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.14 EPA/play
- 4 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +4.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 5 J. Morgan · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.77 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 6 L. Paulsen · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
- 7 D. Young · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +1.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 8 J. Cameron · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
K. Cousins — WAS · Passing
K. Cousins posted the highest total EPA (+12.85) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 42 counted snaps, they averaged +0.31 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.57 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (10:11) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep middle to 80-T.Benjamin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — T. Richardson
- Washington Commanders — L. Hankerson (K. Cousins pass)
- Cleveland Browns — T. Richardson
- Washington Commanders — A. Morris
- Washington Commanders — L. Hankerson (K. Cousins pass)
- Washington Commanders — E. Royster
- Cleveland Browns — T. Benjamin (B. Weeden pass)
- Washington Commanders — A. Morris
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — K. Forbath
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 WAS 6 (Q1 53:50) — (8:50) 33-T.Richardson left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Most rushing touchdowns by a Browns rookie running back; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 53:41) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CLE 54 (Q1 47:26); Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 47:16) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca..
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–3. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the CLE 26 (Q2 35:50) — (5:50) (Field Goal formation) 2-K.Forbath 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) 33-T.Richardson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 31:11) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges..
The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 14–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q3 28:20) — (13:20) 46-A.Morris left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 28:14) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q3 22:45) — (7:45) 12-K.Cousins pass short right to 85-L.Hankerson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 22:40) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca..
The fourth quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 14–7. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q4 11:23) — (11:23) 22-E.Royster left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 11:19) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the WAS 69 (Q4 10:11) — (10:11) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep middle to 80-T.Benjamin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 10:11) — (Kick formation) 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CLE 8 (Q4 5:05) — (5:05) 46-A.Morris left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 5:00) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 29:21) — (14:21) 3-B.Weeden pass short middle intended for 15-G.Little INTERCEPTED by 50-R.Jackson at CLE 32. 50-R.Jackson to CLE 15 for 17 yards (66-S.Lauvao).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 37:11) — (7:11) (Shotgun) 12-K.Cousins pass short right to 22-E.Royster to CLE 28 for 25 yards (43-T.Ward).
- Washington Commanders (Q1 47:26) — (2:26) 12-K.Cousins pass deep right to 85-L.Hankerson for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 54:02) — (9:02) (Shotgun) 12-K.Cousins pass deep left intended for 88-P.Garcon INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Ward at WAS 43. 43-T.Ward to WAS 6 for 37 yards (12-K.Cousins). Tipped ball by 24 S.Brown
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 16:10) — (1:10) 3-B.Weeden pass deep left intended for 15-G.Little INTERCEPTED by 59-L.Fletcher at WAS 25. 59-L.Fletcher to WAS 33 for 8 yards (15-G.Little).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 10:11) — (10:11) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep middle to 80-T.Benjamin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 29:21) — (14:21) 3-B.Weeden pass short middle intended for 15-G.Little INTERCEPTED by 50-R.Jackson at CLE 32. 50-R.Jackson to CLE 15 for 17 yards (66-S.Lauvao).
- Washington Commanders (Q4 1:20) — (1:20) 12-K.Cousins kneels to CLE 4 for -1 yards.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 47:26) — (2:26) 12-K.Cousins pass deep right to 85-L.Hankerson for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
Quarterback report card
K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Cousins (Washington Commanders) · 42 dropbacks · 61.9% completion · +6.0% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +12.85 total EPA
- B.Weeden (Cleveland Browns) · 39 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · -5.4% CPOE · -0.32 EPA/play · -12.44 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.122 | -0.141 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.9% | 41.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.306 | -0.319 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.091 | +0.090 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.141 | -0.122 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.9% | 52.1% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Washington Commanders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs -0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cleveland Browns: 13 drives, -10.29 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 14 drives, +11.46 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Washington Commanders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- K. Cousins (Washington Commanders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- K. Cousins (WAS) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- B. Weeden (CLE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 53:50 · WAS 6 · Score 0-6
(8:50) 33-T.Richardson left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Most rushing touchdowns by a Browns rookie running back - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 53:41 · WAS 2 · Score 0-7
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 47:26 · CLE 54 · Score 6-7
(2:26) 12-K.Cousins pass deep right to 85-L.Hankerson for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play w - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 47:16 · CLE 2 · Score 7-7
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 35:50 · CLE 26 · Score 10-7
(5:50) (Field Goal formation) 2-K.Forbath 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 31:14 · WAS 1 · Score 10-13
(1:14) 33-T.Richardson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 31:11 · WAS 2 · Score 10-14
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 28:20 · CLE 3 · Score 16-14
(13:20) 46-A.Morris left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 28:14 · CLE 2 · Score 17-14
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 22:45 · CLE 2 · Score 23-14
(7:45) 12-K.Cousins pass short right to 85-L.Hankerson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 22:40 · CLE 2 · Score 24-14
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 11:23 · CLE 4 · Score 30-14
(11:23) 22-E.Royster left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 11:19 · CLE 2 · Score 31-14
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 10:11 · WAS 69 · Score 31-20
(10:11) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep middle to 80-T.Benjamin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 10:11 · WAS 2 · Score 31-21
(Kick formation) 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 5:05 · CLE 8 · Score 37-21
(5:05) 46-A.Morris left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 5:00 · CLE 2 · Score 38-21
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs Cleveland Browns?
The Washington Commanders beat the Cleveland Browns 38-21 in Week 15, 2012 on 2012-12-16.
What was the final score of Washington Commanders vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Washington Commanders 38, Cleveland Browns 21 (WAS 38-21 CLE) in Week 15, 2012 on 2012-12-16.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Washington Commanders 7, Cleveland Browns 7; Q2: Washington Commanders 3, Cleveland Browns 7; Q3: Washington Commanders 14, Cleveland Browns 0; Q4: Washington Commanders 14, Cleveland Browns 7; Final: Washington Commanders 38, Cleveland Browns 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — T. Richardson (Q1 53:50) Washington Commanders touchdown — L. Hankerson (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 47:26) Cleveland Browns touchdown — T. Richardson (Q2 31:14) Washington Commanders touchdown — A. Morris (Q3 28:20) Washington Commanders touchdown — L. Hankerson (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 22:45) Washington Commanders touchdown — E. Royster (Q4 11:23) Cleveland Browns touchdown — T. Benjamin (B. Weeden pass) (Q4 10:11) Washington Commanders touchdown — A. Morris (Q4 5:05) Washington Commanders field goal — K. Forbath (Q2 35:50, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Washington Commanders vs Cleveland Browns?
K. Cousins (Washington Commanders), 61.9% completion, +6.0% CPOE, +0.31 EPA per dropback, +12.85 total passing EPA. B. Weeden (Cleveland Browns), 53.8% completion, -5.4% CPOE, -0.32 EPA per dropback, -12.44 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Washington Commanders vs Cleveland Browns?
K. Cousins (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +12.85 on passing plays. across 42 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.57 EPA): (10:11) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep middle to 80-T.Benjamin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -15.1%.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Entered 7-6 Now 8-6 W
Cleveland Browns
Entered 5-8 Now 5-9 L
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