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NFL · Week 15 · December 15, 2002 · 12 min read

Indianapolis Colts vs. Cleveland Browns: 2002 Week 15 Recap

Colts defeat Browns 28–23 in Week 15

Malik Harrison led Fantasy Impact as Colts prevailed in a 28–23 Week 15 finish.

Indianapolis Colts 28 9–5 Winner
Final 28–23
Cleveland Browns 23 7–7
Winner
Indianapolis Colts
Final score
28–23
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 0–16 Cleveland Browns
Top passer
Te'Cory Couch
FantasyHQ MVP
Malik Harrison
Game date
December 15, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Colts

  • Malik Harrison
    Malik Harrison 9 REC · 172 YDS · 2 TD +19.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Paul Manning 20/35 · 274 YDS · 2 TD +12.6 Fantasy Impact
  • E.James 3 REC · 20 YDS +1.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Browns

  • Jordan White
    Jordan White 6 REC · 73 YDS +7.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Q.Morgan 3 REC · 90 YDS · 1 TD +4.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Te'Cory Couch
    Te'Cory Couch 21/42 · 253 YDS · 2 TD +3.0 Fantasy Impact
View Colts vs Browns box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Indianapolis Colts
Final score
Indianapolis Colts 28–23 Cleveland Browns
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 0–16 Cleveland Browns at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Malik Harrison
Top passer
Te'Cory Couch
Biggest EPA play
(14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2002-12-15

Game summary

The Indianapolis Colts beat the Cleveland Browns 28–23 on 2002-12-15, overcoming Cleveland Browns's 16–0 halftime lead. Malik Harrison posted a game-high +19.04 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Indianapolis Colts001414028
Cleveland Browns13307023

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

INDIndianapolis Colts
CLECleveland Browns

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CLECleveland Browns
    Q1 14:54TD
    QMQ. Morgan

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 78
    Score
    0-6

    (14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. CLECleveland Browns
    Q1 1:10TD
    Kisean Johnson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 30
    Score
    0-12

    (1:10) 2-T.Couch pass to 85-K.Johnson for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. CLECleveland Browns
    Q1 1:10XP
    PDP. Dawson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-13

    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  4. CLECleveland Browns
    Q2 0:14FG
    PDP. Dawson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    IND 11
    Score
    0-16

    (:14) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  5. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 12:23TD
    JMJ. Mungro

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CLE 29
    Score
    6-16

    (12:23) 23-J.Mungro right tackle for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 12:16XP
    MVM. Vanderjagt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CLE 2
    Score
    7-16

    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.

  7. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 2:57TD
    Malik Harrison

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CLE 25
    Score
    13-16

    (2:57) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 2:51XP
    MVM. Vanderjagt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CLE 2
    Score
    14-16

    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.

  9. CLECleveland Browns
    Q4 14:33TD
    WGW. Green

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    14-22

    (14:33) 31-W.Green left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. CLECleveland Browns
    Q4 14:28XP
    PDP. Dawson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    14-23

    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  11. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 11:34TD
    Malik Harrison

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CLE 3
    Score
    20-23

    (11:34) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 11:30XP
    MVM. Vanderjagt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CLE 2
    Score
    21-23

    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.

  13. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 6:49TD
    JMJ. Mungro

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CLE 3
    Score
    27-23

    (6:49) 23-J.Mungro right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 6:46XP
    MVM. Vanderjagt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CLE 2
    Score
    28-23

    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Malik HarrisonMalik Harrison · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +19.04 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
  2. 2Paul Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +12.57 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
  3. 3Jordan WhiteJordan White · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +7.10 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
  4. 4Q. Morgan · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
  5. 5Te'Cory CouchTe'Cory Couch · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +3.03 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
  6. 6Kisean JohnsonKisean Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.00 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
  7. 7Jordan WhiteJordan White · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +1.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
  8. 8E. James · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Malik Harrison

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Malik Harrison — IND · Receiving

Malik Harrison posted the highest total EPA (+19.04) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Indianapolis Colts. Across 12 counted snaps, they averaged +1.59 EPA per play.

Malik Harrison's top snap (+3.09 EPA): (8:40) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison ran ob at CLE 10 for 46 yards (25-C.Fuller).

Biggest single play (+6.14 EPA): Te'Cory Couch — (14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

  • Te'Cory CouchTe'Cory Couch (Cleveland Browns) · 42 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.07 EPA/play · +3.03 total EPA
  • Paul Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +0.36 EPA/play · +12.57 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatIndianapolis ColtsCleveland Browns
Offensive EPA/play+0.140+0.045
Offensive success rate43.8%44.0%
Pass EPA/play+0.322+0.065
Rush EPA/play+0.014-0.009
Defensive EPA/play-0.045-0.140
Defensive success rate56.0%56.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Indianapolis Colts generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Indianapolis Colts: +0.14 EPA/play (82nd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Cleveland Browns: +0.04 EPA/play (61st percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Cleveland Browns: 13 drives, +4.06 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Indianapolis Colts: 14 drives, +12.43 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Cleveland Browns — Q. Morgan (Te'Cory Couch pass) (Q1 14:54)
  • Kisean JohnsonCleveland Browns — Kisean Johnson (Te'Cory Couch pass) (Q1 1:10)
  • Indianapolis Colts — J. Mungro (Q3 12:23)
  • Malik HarrisonIndianapolis Colts — Malik Harrison (Paul Manning pass) (Q3 2:57)
  • Cleveland Browns — W. Green (Q4 14:33)
  • Malik HarrisonIndianapolis Colts — Malik Harrison (Paul Manning pass) (Q4 11:34)
  • Indianapolis Colts — J. Mungro (Q4 6:49)

Field goals

  • Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson (Q2 0:14)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 13–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the IND 78 (Q1 14:54) — (14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the IND 30 (Q1 1:10) — (1:10) 2-T.Couch pass to 85-K.Johnson for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 1:10) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the IND 11 (Q2 0:14) — (:14) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CLE 29 (Q3 12:23) — (12:23) 23-J.Mungro right tackle for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 12:16) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CLE 25 (Q3 2:57) — (2:57) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 2:51) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the IND 2 (Q4 14:33) — (14:33) 31-W.Green left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 14:28) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q4 11:34) — (11:34) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 11:30) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q4 6:49) — (6:49) 23-J.Mungro right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 6:46) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass incomplete to 87-Andre' Davis. [WPA -34.9% · EPA -2.46]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q1 14:54) — (14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.0% · EPA +6.14]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 8:40) — (8:40) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison ran ob at CLE 10 for 46 yards (25-C.Fuller). [WPA +17.0% · EPA +3.09]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 30-J.White to IND 2 for 33 yards (26-D.Gibson). [WPA +16.3% · EPA +4.89]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 6:49) — (6:49) 23-J.Mungro right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +2.55]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Cleveland Browns (Q1 14:54) — (14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.0% · EPA +6.14]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 12:23) — (12:23) 23-J.Mungro right tackle for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.1% · EPA +5.45]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 30-J.White to IND 2 for 33 yards (26-D.Gibson). [WPA +16.3% · EPA +4.89]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q1 3:10) — (3:10) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 80-J.Davenport INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Hambrick at CLE 46. 56-D.Hambrick to IND 48 for 6 yards (80-J.Davenport). [WPA -8.9% · EPA -4.30]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 14:54 · IND 78 · Score 0-6
    (14:54) 2-T.Couch pass to 81-Q.Morgan for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 1:10 · IND 30 · Score 0-12
    (1:10) 2-T.Couch pass to 85-K.Johnson for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 1:10 · IND 2 · Score 0-13
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  4. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 0:14 · IND 11 · Score 0-16
    (:14) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  5. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 12:23 · CLE 29 · Score 6-16
    (12:23) 23-J.Mungro right tackle for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 12:16 · CLE 2 · Score 7-16
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
  7. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 2:57 · CLE 25 · Score 13-16
    (2:57) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 2:51 · CLE 2 · Score 14-16
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
  9. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 14:33 · IND 2 · Score 14-22
    (14:33) 31-W.Green left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 14:28 · IND 2 · Score 14-23
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  11. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 11:34 · CLE 3 · Score 20-23
    (11:34) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 11:30 · CLE 2 · Score 21-23
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
  13. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 6:49 · CLE 3 · Score 27-23
    (6:49) 23-J.Mungro right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 6:46 · CLE 2 · Score 28-23
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.

Key takeaways

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

  • Indianapolis Colts earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Malik Harrison (Indianapolis Colts) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns on 2002-12-15?

The Indianapolis Colts beat the Cleveland Browns 28-23 in Week 15, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns?

Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Cleveland Browns 13; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 0, Cleveland Browns 3; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 14, Cleveland Browns 0; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 14, Cleveland Browns 7; Final: Indianapolis Colts 28, Cleveland Browns 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns?

Cleveland Browns touchdown — Q. Morgan (T. Couch pass) (Q1 14:54) Cleveland Browns touchdown — K. Johnson (T. Couch pass) (Q1 1:10) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Mungro (Q3 12:23) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q3 2:57) Cleveland Browns touchdown — W. Green (Q4 14:33) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q4 11:34) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Mungro (Q4 6:49) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 0:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns?

Te'Cory Couch (Cleveland Browns), 50.0% completion, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +3.03 total passing EPA. Paul Manning (Indianapolis Colts), 57.1% completion, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +12.57 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns?

Malik Harrison (Indianapolis Colts) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +19.04 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 12 snaps. Their top snap (+3.09 EPA): (8:40) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison ran ob at CLE 10 for 46 yards (25-C.Fuller)..

Was Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. Indianapolis Colts won 28-23 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Indianapolis Colts

Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W

Cleveland Browns

Entered 7-6 Now 7-7 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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