Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2011 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-12-24, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 23–16 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -13.03 total EPA, and -5.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Gresham (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-20.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (3:16) 32-C.Benson left guard to CIN 22 for 2 yards (93-C.Campbell). FUMBLES (93-C.Campbell), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at CIN 23. 25-K.Rhodes to CIN 22 for 1 yard (84-J.Gresham).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Gresham · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.04 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Simpson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.56 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Wells · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.47 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +1.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +1.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
7. 7 J. King · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.94 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Heap · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Gresham (A. Dalton pass) (Q1 51:31)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Simpson (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 32:54)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (J. Skelton pass) (Q4 11:34)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. King (J. Skelton pass) (Q4 7:45)

Field goals

• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q1 55:58)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q2 30:04)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q3 18:19)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 3:20)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the ARI 6 (Q1 55:58) — (10:58) 2-M.Nugent 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 11 (Q1 51:31) — (6:31) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 84-J.Gresham for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 51:24) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 19 (Q2 32:54) — (2:54) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left to 89-J.Simpson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 32:46) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the ARI 23 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 2-M.Nugent 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 3–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the ARI 14 (Q3 18:19) — (3:19) 2-M.Nugent 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 16–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 30 (Q4 11:34) — (11:34) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN [68-J.Fanene].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 11:25) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 2 (Q4 7:45) — (7:45) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle to 87-J.King for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CIN 11 (Q4 3:20) — (3:20) 3-J.Feely 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 3:16) — (3:16) 32-C.Benson left guard to CIN 22 for 2 yards (93-C.Campbell). FUMBLES (93-C.Campbell), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at CIN 23. 25-K.Rhodes to CIN 22 for 1 yard (84-J.Gresham). [WPA -20.7% · EPA -4.54]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:18) — (1:18) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass incomplete deep right to 85-E.Doucet. [WPA -13.8% · EPA -2.91]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:00) — (13:00) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Maualuga at ARI 25. 58-R.Maualuga to ARI 23 for 2 yards (12-A.Roberts). [WPA -11.4% · EPA -3.83]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 12-A.Roberts to CIN 15 for 19 yards (53-T.Howard). [WPA -9.9% · EPA -1.51]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 5:02) — (5:02) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to CIN 1 for 39 yards (24-A.Jones). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +3.56]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 3:16) — (3:16) 32-C.Benson left guard to CIN 22 for 2 yards (93-C.Campbell). FUMBLES (93-C.Campbell), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at CIN 23. 25-K.Rhodes to CIN 22 for 1 yard (84-J.Gresham). [WPA -20.7% · EPA -4.54]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 25:34) — (10:34) 19-J.Skelton pass deep right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Nelson at CIN 35. 20-R.Nelson to ARI 48 for 17 yards (35-A.Sherman). [WPA -3.3% · EPA -4.50]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:00) — (13:00) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Maualuga at ARI 25. 58-R.Maualuga to ARI 23 for 2 yards (12-A.Roberts). [WPA -11.4% · EPA -3.83]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:34) — (11:34) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN [68-J.Fanene]. [WPA +1.0% · EPA +3.83]

Quarterback report card

J.Skelton led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) · 49 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · -5.7% CPOE · -0.27 EPA/play · -13.03 total EPA
• A.Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 40 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Cincinnati Bengals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.12 vs -0.18), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -15.38 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Cincinnati Bengals: 14 drives, -10.43 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Cincinnati Bengals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Gresham (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Skelton (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• A. Dalton (CIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 55:58 · ARI 6 · Score 0-3
   (10:58) 2-M.Nugent 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
2. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 51:31 · ARI 11 · Score 0-9
   (6:31) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 84-J.Gresham for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 51:24 · ARI 2 · Score 0-10
   2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
4. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 32:54 · ARI 19 · Score 0-16
   (2:54) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left to 89-J.Simpson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 32:46 · ARI 2 · Score 0-17
   2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
6. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · ARI 23 · Score 0-20
   (:04) 2-M.Nugent 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
7. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 18:19 · ARI 14 · Score 0-23
   (3:19) 2-M.Nugent 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 11:34 · CIN 30 · Score 6-23
   (11:34) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN [68-J.Fanene].
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 11:25 · CIN 2 · Score 7-23
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
10. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:45 · CIN 2 · Score 13-23
    (7:45) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle to 87-J.King for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 3:20 · CIN 11 · Score 16-23
    (3:20) 3-J.Feely 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.