Quick answer
- Winner
- Cleveland Browns
- Final score
- Cleveland Browns 26–18 Cincinnati Bengals
- Halftime
- Cincinnati Bengals 0–16 Cleveland Browns at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Baker Mayfield
- Top passer
- Baker Mayfield
- Biggest EPA play
- (2:01) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 85-D.Njoku pushed ob at CIN 3 for 66 yar…
- Game date
- 2018-12-23
Game summary
The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26–18 on 2018-12-23. Baker Mayfield posted a game-high +15.50 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
 Cleveland Browns | 16 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
CINCincinnati Bengals
(10:23) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 85-D.Njoku for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(7:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 88-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
(:14) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(4:59) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(15:00) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
(7:29) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(4:56) (Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short right to 87-C.Uzomah for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
(3:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short left to 15-J.Ross for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-J.Driskel pass to 16-C.Core is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
CLECleveland BrownsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q2 10:23TD David NjokuPoints+6
- Yard line
- CIN 3
- Score
- 0-6
(10:23) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 85-D.Njoku for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q2 10:20XP Greg JosephPoints+1
- Yard line
- CIN 15
- Score
- 0-7
17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q2 7:18TD DFD. FellsPoints+6
- Yard line
- CIN 1
- Score
- 0-13
(7:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 88-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q2 0:14FG Greg JosephPoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 19
- Score
- 0-16
(:14) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q3 4:59TD Points+6
- Yard line
- CIN 17
- Score
- 0-22
(4:59) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q3 4:53XP Greg JosephPoints+1
- Yard line
- CIN 15
- Score
- 0-23
17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 15:00FG Points+3
- Yard line
- CLE 33
- Score
- 3-23
(15:00) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
- CLECleveland Browns
Q4 7:29FG Greg JosephPoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 13
- Score
- 3-26
(7:29) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 4:56TD C.J. UzomahPoints+6
- Yard line
- CLE 14
- Score
- 9-26
(4:56) (Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short right to 87-C.Uzomah for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 4:56XP Points+1
- Yard line
- CLE 15
- Score
- 10-26
4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 3:00TD Josh RossPoints+6
- Yard line
- CLE 3
- Score
- 16-26
(3:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short left to 15-J.Ross for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 2:56Safety Jeff DriskelPoints+2
- Yard line
- CLE 2
- Score
- 18-26
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-J.Driskel pass to 16-C.Core is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Baker Mayfield · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +15.50 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play - 2David Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
- 3Rashard Higgins · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.53 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 4C.J. Uzomah · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.21 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
- 5C. Core · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 6J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +4.00 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.00 EPA/play
- 7Breshad Perriman · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.52 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
- 8Jeff Driskel · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +3.13 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Baker Mayfield — CLE · Passing
Baker Mayfield posted the highest total EPA (+15.50) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cleveland Browns. Across 42 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.
Baker Mayfield's top snap (+4.75 EPA): (2:01) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 85-D.Njoku pushed ob at CIN 3 for 66 yards (56-H.Nickerson).
Quarterback report card
Baker Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 42 dropbacks · 64.3% completion · +4.8% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +15.50 total EPA
- Jeff Driskel (Cincinnati Bengals) · 27 dropbacks · 48.1% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +3.13 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.049 | +0.143 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.6% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.116 | +0.453 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.068 | +0.078 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.143 | -0.049 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 59.4% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Cleveland Browns held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Cincinnati Bengals: +0.05 EPA/play (62nd percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Cleveland Browns: +0.14 EPA/play (83rd percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 9 drives, +3.11 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 9 drives, +11.75 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — David Njoku (Baker Mayfield pass)
- Cleveland Browns — D. Fells (Baker Mayfield pass)
- Cleveland Browns — Rashard Higgins (Baker Mayfield pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — C.J. Uzomah (Jeff Driskel pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — Josh Ross (Jeff Driskel pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — Greg Joseph
- Cincinnati Bengals — Randy Bullock
- Cleveland Browns — Greg Joseph
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 16–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 3 (Q2 10:23) — (10:23) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 85-D.Njoku for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 10:20) — 17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q2 7:18) — (7:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 88-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 19 (Q2 0:14) — (:14) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 17 (Q3 4:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 4:53) — 17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 18–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 33 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 13 (Q4 7:29) — (7:29) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 14 (Q4 4:56) — (4:56) (Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short right to 87-C.Uzomah for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 4:56) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q4 3:00) — (3:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short left to 15-J.Ross for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals registered a safety from the CLE 2 (Q4 2:56) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-J.Driskel pass to 16-C.Core is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 8:45) — (8:45) 80-J.Landry pass deep right to 19-B.Perriman to CIN 7 for 63 yards (36-S.Williams, 30-J.Bates). 6 B Mayfield handed off to 11 A Calloway who pitched to 80 J Landry
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 12:23) — (12:23) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 80-J.Landry to CIN 9 for 6 yards (21-D.Dennard).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 9:46) — (9:46) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 42-C.Fejedelem. 42-C.Fejedelem up the middle to CLE 48 for 6 yards (35-J.Whitehead; 25-D.Hilliard).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 3:46) — (3:46) 28-J.Mixon right tackle to CIN 31 for -6 yards (55-G.Avery; 50-C.Smith).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 2:40) — (2:40) 24-N.Chubb left tackle pushed ob at CLE 48 for 22 yards (36-S.Williams).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 2:01) — (2:01) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 85-D.Njoku pushed ob at CIN 3 for 66 yards (56-H.Nickerson).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 8:45) — (8:45) 80-J.Landry pass deep right to 19-B.Perriman to CIN 7 for 63 yards (36-S.Williams, 30-J.Bates). 6 B Mayfield handed off to 11 A Calloway who pitched to 80 J Landry
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 13:34) — (13:34) (Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass deep middle to 16-C.Core to CIN 45 for 27 yards (23-D.Randall; 22-J.Peppers).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:34) — (:34) 6-B.Mayfield kneels to CIN 6 for -1 yards.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 10:23 · CIN 3 · Score 0-6
(10:23) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 85-D.Njoku for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 10:20 · CIN 15 · Score 0-7
17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 7:18 · CIN 1 · Score 0-13
(7:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 88-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 0:14 · CIN 19 · Score 0-16
(:14) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 4:59 · CIN 17 · Score 0-22
(4:59) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 4:53 · CIN 15 · Score 0-23
17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · CLE 33 · Score 3-23
(15:00) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 7:29 · CIN 13 · Score 3-26
(7:29) (Field Goal formation) 17-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 4:56 · CLE 14 · Score 9-26
(4:56) (Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short right to 87-C.Uzomah for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 4:56 · CLE 15 · Score 10-26
4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 3:00 · CLE 3 · Score 16-26
(3:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Driskel pass short left to 15-J.Ross for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals Safety (+2) — Q4 2:56 · CLE 2 · Score 18-26
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-J.Driskel pass to 16-C.Core is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Cleveland Browns earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Baker Mayfield (CLE) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns on 2018-12-23?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-18 in Week 16, 2018.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Cleveland Browns 16; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Cleveland Browns 7; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 18, Cleveland Browns 3; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 18, Cleveland Browns 26.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Njoku (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 10:23) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Fells (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 7:18) Cleveland Browns touchdown — R. Higgins (B. Mayfield pass) (Q3 4:59) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Uzomah (J. Driskel pass) (Q4 4:56) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Ross (J. Driskel pass) (Q4 3:00) Cleveland Browns field goal — G. Joseph (Q2 0:14, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — R. Bullock (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — G. Joseph (Q4 7:29, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns), 64.3% completion, +4.8% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +15.50 total passing EPA. Jeff Driskel (Cincinnati Bengals), 48.1% completion, +2.6% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +3.13 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +15.50 total EPA on Passing plays. across 42 snaps. Their top snap (+4.75 EPA): (2:01) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 85-D.Njoku pushed ob at CIN 3 for 66 yards (56-H.Nickerson)..
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 6-8 Now 6-9 L
Cleveland Browns
Entered 6-7 Now 7-7 W
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