Final2023 Week 7

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts, Week 7 2023

Cleveland Browns

AwayWon

39

Indianapolis Colts

Home

38

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Browns7203939
Colts14771038

CLE 39IND 38 Final

  • Passing leader

    Gardner Minshew II

    IND · QB

    28.1PPR pts

    15/23, 305 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, 2 RUSH TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Josh Downs

    IND · WR

    23.5PPR pts

    5 REC, 125 YDS, 1 TD

  • Colts leader

    Jonathan Taylor

    IND · RB

    21.0PPR pts

    18 ATT, 75 YDS, 1 TD, 3 REC, 45 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Tony Fields II

    CLE

    1 TD, 6 TKL

Browns 39, Colts 38: Cleveland holds off Indianapolis

Cleveland led 27–21 at halftime after a 20-point second quarter and won 39–38, though Indianapolis took the second half 17–12. Indianapolis outgained the Browns 456–316.

The Colts went 7-for-15 on third down and committed four turnovers.

The two teams meet again in Week 17 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +2 turnover margin CLE 2 · IND 4 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Brown or Colt on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Browns Won

Cleveland won the turnover battle.

Team stats comparison, Browns vs Colts
BrownsStatColts
2Turnovers4
Other team stats
316Total yards456
4.4Yards per play6.8
72Plays67
25%Third-down conversion47%
27:29Time of possession32:31

Scoring Summary

The Browns scored four touchdowns and four field goals; the Colts scored five touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Browns vs Colts
TimeTeamPlayCLEIND
1st quarter
14:03CLEJerome Ford 69-yard TD run Takes leadDustin Hopkins XP70
11:38INDGardner Minshew → Josh Downs, 59-yard TD Ties gameMatt Gay XP77
4:28INDGardner Minshew 17-yard TD run Takes leadMatt Gay XP714
2nd quarter
14:22CLEKareem Hunt 2-yard TD run Ties gameDustin Hopkins XP1414
8:38CLEDustin Hopkins 44-yard FG Takes lead1714
3:51INDGardner Minshew 4-yard TD run Takes leadMatt Gay XP1721
1:42CLEBrowns TD Takes leadDustin Hopkins XP2421
0:00CLEDustin Hopkins 54-yard FG Extends lead2721
3rd quarter
9:23CLEDustin Hopkins 54-yard FG Extends lead3021
5:11INDJonathan Taylor 5-yard TD runMatt Gay XP3028
4th quarter
14:09INDMatt Gay 27-yard FG Takes lead3031
6:33CLEDustin Hopkins 58-yard FG Takes lead3331
5:38INDGardner Minshew → Michael Pittman Jr., 75-yard TD Takes leadMatt Gay XP3338
0:15CLEKareem Hunt 1-yard TD run Game winner2-pt try failed3938

Fantasy Points: Browns vs Colts, Week 7 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Gardner MinshewINDQB28.1 PTSQB3
  2. Josh DownsINDWR23.5 PTSWR4
  3. Jonathan TaylorINDRB21.0 PTSRB7
  4. Jerome FordCLERB17.4 PTSRB10

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Gardner MinshewINDQB28.1QB315/23305213292119.4
P.J. WalkerCLEQB6.4QB2515/321780133051.3
Deshaun WatsonCLEQB-0.8—1/5501———0.0Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Josh DownsINDWR23.5WR4WR———651251Start/Sit →
Jonathan TaylorINDRB21.0RB7RB1875143450Start/Sit →
Jerome FordCLERB17.4RB10RB1174142200
Michael PittmanINDWR16.3WR16WR———52831
Kareem HuntCLERB15.1RB14RB103121000
David NjokuCLETE10.4TE11TE———95540
Elijah MooreCLEWR9.9WR39WR———74590Start/Sit →
Alec PierceINDWR8.3WR45WR———33530
Zack MossINDRB7.2RB30RB185702150
Amari CooperCLEWR4.2WR63WR———82220
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR4.2WR64WR———32220
Pierre StrongCLERB3.5RB48RB8250————
Marquise GoodwinCLEWR3.3WR73WR11702160
Isaiah McKenzieINDWR0.7WR99WR170————
Mo Alie-CoxINDTE0.4TE43TE———11-60Start/Sit →
Harrison BryantCLETE0.0—TE———1000
Will MalloryINDTE0.0—TE———1000

Fantasy Usage

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. David NjokuTE72 snaps96%
  2. Amari CooperWR66 snaps88%
  3. Elijah MooreWR59 snaps79%
  4. Donovan Peoples-JonesWR46 snaps61%
  5. Jerome FordRB32 snaps43%

Target Share35 targets

  1. David Njoku26%, 9 targets
  2. Amari Cooper23%, 8 targets
  3. Elijah Moore20%, 7 targets
  4. Jerome Ford11%, 4 targets
  5. Donovan Peoples-Jones9%, 3 targets
  6. Other11%, 4 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. Jerome Ford33%, 11 carries
  2. Kareem Hunt30%, 10 carries
  3. Pierre Strong24%, 8 carries
  4. P.J. Walker9%, 3 carries
  5. Marquise Goodwin3%, 1 carries

Indianapolis Colts

Snap Share

  1. Alec PierceWR70 snaps100%
  2. Michael PittmanWR68 snaps97%
  3. Josh DownsWR50 snaps71%
  4. Drew OgletreeTE42 snaps60%
  5. Jonathan TaylorRB35 snaps50%

Target Share22 targets

  1. Josh Downs27%, 6 targets
  2. Michael Pittman23%, 5 targets
  3. Jonathan Taylor18%, 4 targets
  4. Alec Pierce14%, 3 targets
  5. Zack Moss9%, 2 targets
  6. Other9%, 2 targets

Carry Share40 carries

  1. Jonathan Taylor45%, 18 carries
  2. Zack Moss45%, 18 carries
  3. Gardner Minshew8%, 3 carries
  4. Isaiah McKenzie3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Alec PierceINDWR70100%314%0
Michael PittmanINDWR6897%523%0
David NjokuCLETE7296%926%0
Amari CooperCLEWR6688%823%0
Elijah MooreCLEWR5979%720%0
Josh DownsINDWR5071%627%0
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR4661%39%0
Drew OgletreeINDTE4260%00%0
Jonathan TaylorINDRB3550%418%18
Zack MossINDRB3550%29%18
Mo Alie-CoxINDTE3246%15%0
Jerome FordCLERB3243%411%11
Pierre StrongCLERB2331%00%8
Kareem HuntCLERB1925%13%10
Marquise GoodwinCLEWR1824%26%1
Harrison BryantCLETE1723%13%0
Isaiah McKenzieINDWR913%00%1
Will MalloryINDTE913%15%0
Jordan AkinsCLETE57%00%0
David BellCLEWR34%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+16.6Gardner Minshew II28.1 PTS vs 11.5 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−9.2Amari Cooper4.2 PTS vs 13.4 xFP
  • Highest expected volume17.7 xFPJonathan Taylor21.0 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Jonathan TaylorIND · RB21.017.7+3.350%45% car—01845%418%
PJ WalkerCLE · —6.415.3−8.9—32 att—3239%00%
David NjokuCLE · TE10.415.0−4.696%26% tgt—000%926%
Zack MossIND · RB7.214.4−7.250%45% car—01845%29%
Amari CooperCLE · WR4.213.4−9.288%23% tgt—000%823%
Jerome FordCLE · RB17.413.4+4.043%33% car—01133%411%
Elijah MooreCLE · WR9.911.7−1.879%20% tgt—000%720%
Gardner Minshew IIIND · QB28.111.5+16.6100%23 att—2338%00%
Josh DownsIND · WR23.510.0+13.571%27% tgt—000%627%
Michael Pittman Jr.IND · WR16.38.3+8.097%23% tgt—000%523%
Kareem HuntCLE · RB15.17.8+7.325%30% car—01030%13%
Alec PierceIND · WR8.35.0+3.3100%14% tgt—000%314%
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLE · WR4.25.0−0.861%9% tgt—000%39%
Pierre Strong Jr.CLE · RB2.54.9−2.431%24% car—0824%00%
Marquise GoodwinCLE · WR3.34.0−0.724%6% tgt—013%26%
Deshaun WatsonCLE · QB-0.82.1−2.916%5 att—500%00%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE0.01.7−1.723%3% tgt—000%13%
Mo Alie-CoxIND · TE0.41.7−1.346%5% tgt—000%15%
Will MalloryIND · TE0.01.7−1.713%5% tgt—000%15%
Isaiah McKenzieIND · WR0.70.6+0.113%3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Browns 35 targets and 33 carries; Colts 22 targets and 40 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

PJ Walker Unlucky

CLE · — · 6.4 pts on 15.3 expected

15 of 32 passing for 178 yards, 1 interception; 3 carries for 3 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Gardner Minshew II Ran hot

IND · QB · 28.1 pts on 11.5 expected

15 of 23 passing for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 3 carries for 29 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

David Njoku

CLE · TE · 10.4 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (26% of the team's), 5 catches for 54 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.0 expected.

Amari Cooper Unlucky

CLE · WR · 4.2 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (23% of the team's), 2 catches for 22 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Jonathan Taylor

IND · RB · 21.0 pts on 17.7 expected

4 targets (18% of the team's), 3 catches for 45 yards; 18 carries (45% of the team's) for 75 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.7 expected.

Trend: Season high in carries (18).

Start/Sit: Jonathan Taylor →

Zack Moss Unlucky

IND · RB · 7.2 pts on 14.4 expected

2 targets (9% of the team's), 1 catch for 5 yards; 18 carries (45% of the team's) for 57 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 14.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Josh Downs Ran hot

IND · WR · 23.5 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (27% of the team's), 5 catches for 125 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Josh Downs →

Michael Pittman Jr. Ran hot

IND · WR · 16.3 pts on 8.3 expected

5 targets (23% of the team's), 2 catches for 83 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 8.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: David Njoku played 96% of the snaps, up from a 77% season average.
  • Stock up: Pierre Strong Jr. played 31% of the snaps, up from a 10% season average.
  • Stock down: Donovan Peoples-Jones played 61% of the snaps, down from a 87% season average.

Indianapolis Colts

  • Stock up: Jonathan Taylor led the backfield with 50% of the snaps after trailing Zack Moss before this game.
  • Stock up: Mo Alie-Cox played 46% of the snaps, up from a 28% season average.
  • Stock down: Zack Moss lost the backfield lead: 50% of the snaps to Jonathan Taylor's 50%.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Browns defense and Colts defense
Points allowed toBrowns DColts D
QBs14.315.9
RBs19.726.1
WRs27.031.6
TEs9.212.9

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Indianapolis opened at 50% win probability, climbed as high as >99%, then lost.

Colts win probability

Colts win probability by game minuteColts started at 50%, stood at 26% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 14 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +27Minshew 4-yd TD run38% → 65%Q2 3:51
  2. −28Browns TD66% → 38%Q2 1:42
  3. +27Taylor 5-yd TD run13% → 40%Q3 5:11
  4. +57Minshew → Pittman, 75-yd TD31% → 89%Q4 5:38
  5. −87Hunt 1-yd TD run>99% → 13%Q4 0:15

Swing in Colts win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Browns vs Colts
Cleveland BrownsMeasureIndianapolis Colts
72Plays67
54%Pass rate40%
4.3Yds / dropback10.7
4.5Yds / carry4.2
4/16Third downs7/15

Efficiency edge Cleveland ran 5 more plays than Indianapolis.

  • Top targets
  • CLE Njoku 26% · Cooper 23% · Moore 20%
  • IND Downs 27% · Pittman 23% · Taylor 18%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Browns vs Colts
ResultCLEIND
Touchdowns35
Field goals41
Punts55
Turnovers24
Turnovers on downs10
Missed field goals01

CLE turnover edge: +2

  • The Browns opened the scoring on their first possession, a 3-play, 77-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 32 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CLEQ1 15:003770:57Touchdown
INDQ1 14:036752:25Touchdown
CLEQ1 11:38320:44Interception
INDQ1 10:54361:51Punt
CLEQ1 9:03342:10Punt
INDQ1 6:536572:25Touchdown
CLEQ1 4:28331:37Punt
INDQ1 2:51361:28Fumble
CLEQ1 1:235362:01Touchdown
INDQ2 14:227334:13Missed FG
CLEQ2 10:09401:31Field goal
INDQ2 8:388754:47Touchdown
CLEQ2 3:515321:57Punt
INDQ2 1:542-110:12Fumble
INDQ2 1:42320:25Punt
CLEQ2 1:177341:17Field goal
INDQ3 15:00321:38Punt
CLEQ3 13:223-91:36Punt
INDQ3 11:46381:30Interception
CLEQ3 10:16460:53Field goal
INDQ3 9:238754:12Touchdown
CLEQ3 5:117252:53Downs
INDQ3 2:187413:09Field goal
CLEQ4 14:097283:03Interception
INDQ4 11:06352:04Punt
CLEQ4 9:026172:29Field goal
INDQ4 6:332750:55Touchdown
CLEQ4 5:383-51:59Punt
INDQ4 3:39321:04Punt
CLEQ4 2:3512802:20Touchdown
INDQ4 0:15200:13Fumble
CLEQ4 0:021-10:02End of game
About these numbers

The Browns' fumble touchdown is counted as a Colts lost fumble, not as a Browns possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Browns vs Colts Head-to-Head

The Browns and Colts first met in 1956 and have played 35 times since.

All-time series
18–17Browns lead, 35 meetings since 1956
Postseason
2–2Split 2–2
Largest Browns win
31–01991
Largest Colts win
34–01968

Since 2021

1–0 Browns lead

1 meeting since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Browns win, C = Colts win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 17 Colts at Browns Upcoming

Recent Meetings

  • 2023 Wk 7 Browns at Colts CLE 39 IND 38 CLE W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Browns vs Colts
BrownsStatColts
11-6Record9-8
23.3Points per game23.3
335.9Yards per game336.8
4.8Yards per play5.2
21.3Points allowed per game24.4
270.2Yards allowed per game349.8

Browns vs Colts Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 17 in Cleveland. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Browns vs Colts Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Browns vs Colts Week 7 game?

The Cleveland Browns beat the Indianapolis Colts 39–38 in Week 7 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, on October 22, 2023. See the Browns' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Browns vs Colts?

The final score was Browns 39, Colts 38. The Browns led 27–21 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 12, Colts 17.

What happened in the Browns vs Colts game?

Cleveland led 27–21 at halftime after a 20-point second quarter and won 39–38, though Indianapolis took the second half 17–12. Indianapolis outgained the Browns 456–316. Gardner Minshew led all players with 15 of 23 passing for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 29 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Colts committed 4 turnovers, the Browns 2.

What was the game-winning score in Browns vs Colts?

Kareem Hunt's 1-yard touchdown run with 0:15 left in the fourth quarter gave the Browns a 39–38 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Colts?

Gardner Minshew led the game with 28.1 PPR fantasy points, the QB3 of Week 7, on 15 of 23 passing for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 29 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Josh Downs was next with 23.5 (WR4). See Gardner Minshew's 2023 game log.

Who led Browns vs Colts in passing, rushing and receiving?

Gardner Minshew (IND) led all passers with 15 of 23 for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Jonathan Taylor (IND) led in rushing with 18 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. Josh Downs (IND) led in receiving with 5 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Gardner Minshew score against the Browns?

Gardner Minshew scored 28.1 fantasy points against the Browns in Week 7 of the 2023 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 15 of 23 passing for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 29 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Browns vs Colts?

Gardner Minshew II outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 28.1 PPR points on 11.5 xFP (+16.6). Amari Cooper fell furthest short, with 4.2 points on 13.4 xFP (−9.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Browns vs Colts?

Jonathan Taylor had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 17.7 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 21.0. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Browns come back to beat the Colts?

The Browns' chances of winning fell as low as <1% in the fourth quarter. Kareem Hunt's 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Kareem Hunt's 1-yard touchdown run then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Browns vs Colts?

The Browns won the turnover battle 4–2: the Colts gave the ball away 4 times and the Browns 2 times. The Browns won the game.

What was the turning point of Browns vs Colts?

Kareem Hunt's 1-yard touchdown run with 0:15 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Colts' win probability from >99% to 13%.

What is the all-time Browns vs Colts record?

The Browns lead the all-time series 18–17 across 35 meetings since 1956, including a 2–2 record in the postseason.

When did the Browns and Colts last play before this game?

Before Week 7 of 2023, they last met in the 2020 season on October 11, 2020, when the Browns beat the Colts 32–23.

Have the Browns and Colts met in the playoffs?

Yes, 4 times, most recently in the 1987 playoffs. The Browns are 2–2 against the Colts in the postseason.