Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2021 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-12-26, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Baltimore Ravens, pulling away with a 41–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +35.04 total EPA, and +14.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +35.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+13.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (13:28) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 83-T.Boyd for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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. Burrow · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +35.04 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +21.31 total EPA · 13 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Johnson · Baltimore Ravens · Passing · +14.09 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Andrews · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +9.25 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Chase · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +6.91 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Boyd · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Mixon · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Proche · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +3.68 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.46 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

• Baltimore Ravens — R. Bateman (J. Johnson pass) (Q1 51:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon (Q1 45:30)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Boyd (J. Burrow pass) (Q2 43:28)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon (J. Burrow pass) (Q2 37:08)
• Baltimore Ravens — D. Freeman (Q2 31:44)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Higgins (J. Burrow pass) (Q2 30:24)
• Baltimore Ravens — M. Andrews (J. Johnson pass) (Q4 15:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Higgins (J. Burrow pass) (Q4 10:08)

Field goals

• Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson (Q1 56:10)
• Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson (Q3 15:44)

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 10–7. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the BAL 12 (Q1 56:10) — (11:10) 2-E.McPherson 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 15-J.Johnson pass short middle to 12-R.Bateman for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 50:56) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-N.Moore, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the BAL 1 (Q1 45:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 28-J.Mixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the BAL 15 (Q1 45:27) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 21–7. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the BAL 68 (Q2 43:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 83-T.Boyd for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the BAL 15 (Q2 43:18) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the BAL 9 (Q2 37:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 28-J.Mixon for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the BAL 15 (Q2 37:03) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 2 (Q2 31:44) — (1:44) (Shotgun) 33-D.Freeman left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 31:38) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-N.Moore, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the BAL 1 (Q2 30:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 85-T.Higgins for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the BAL 15 (Q2 30:21) — 2-E.McPherson extra point 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 BAL 18 (Q3 15:44) — (:44) 2-E.McPherson 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q4 15:00); Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 14:55) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-N.Moore, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the BAL 10 (Q4 10:08) — (10:08) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 85-T.Higgins for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the BAL 15 (Q4 10:05) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Turning points

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 43:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 83-T.Boyd for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.0% · EPA +5.77]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins to BAL 3 for 52 yards (21-B.Stephens; 38-K.Seymour). The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ru [WPA +9.7% · EPA +5.00]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 45:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 28-J.Mixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +2.23]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 53:47) — (8:47) (Shotgun) 15-J.Johnson pass short middle to 5-M.Brown to CIN 17 for 15 yards (22-C.Awuzie). [WPA +7.4% · EPA +2.13]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 15-J.Johnson pass short middle to 12-R.Bateman for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.3% · EPA +2.54]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 43:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 83-T.Boyd for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.0% · EPA +5.77]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:38) — (:38) 9-J.Burrow kneels to BAL 5 for -1 yards. [EPA -5.19]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins to BAL 3 for 52 yards (21-B.Stephens; 38-K.Seymour). The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ru [WPA +9.7% · EPA +5.00]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q4 3:31) — (3:31) (Shotgun) 15-J.Johnson pass short middle intended for 11-J.Proche INTERCEPTED by 24-V.Bell at CIN 21. 24-V.Bell to CIN 36 for 15 yards (15-J.Johnson). [WPA -0.0% · EPA -4.27]

Quarterback report card

J.Burrow led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) · 55 dropbacks · 67.3% completion · +14.2% CPOE · +0.64 EPA/play · +35.04 total EPA
• J.Johnson (Baltimore Ravens) · 44 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +7.3% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +14.09 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 (+0.28 vs +0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Baltimore Ravens: 9 drives, +3.10 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Cincinnati Bengals: 9 drives, +25.13 total EPA, 7 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.
• J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Burrow (CIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Johnson (BAL) 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 56:10 · BAL 12 · Score 0-3
   (11:10) 2-E.McPherson 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
2. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q1 51:00 · CIN 4 · Score 6-3
   (6:00) (Shotgun) 15-J.Johnson pass short middle to 12-R.Bateman for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q1 50:56 · CIN 15 · Score 7-3
   9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-N.Moore, Holder-4-S.Koch.
4. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 45:30 · BAL 1 · Score 7-9
   (:30) (Shotgun) 28-J.Mixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 45:27 · BAL 15 · Score 7-10
   2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
6. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 43:28 · BAL 68 · Score 7-16
   (13:28) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 83-T.Boyd for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 43:18 · BAL 15 · Score 7-17
   2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
8. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 37:08 · BAL 9 · Score 7-23
   (7:08) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 28-J.Mixon for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 37:03 · BAL 15 · Score 7-24
   2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
10. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q2 31:44 · CIN 2 · Score 13-24
    (1:44) (Shotgun) 33-D.Freeman left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q2 31:38 · CIN 15 · Score 14-24
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-N.Moore, Holder-4-S.Koch.
12. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 30:24 · BAL 1 · Score 14-30
    (:24) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 85-T.Higgins for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 30:21 · BAL 15 · Score 14-31
    2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
14. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 15:44 · BAL 18 · Score 14-34
    (:44) 2-E.McPherson 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
15. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · CIN 18 · Score 20-34
    (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-J.Johnson pass short left to 89-M.Andrews for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CIN-57-G.Pratt, Defensive Holding, declined. The Replay Offic
16. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q4 14:55 · CIN 15 · Score 21-34
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-N.Moore, Holder-4-S.Koch.
17. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 10:08 · BAL 10 · Score 21-40
    (10:08) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 85-T.Higgins for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 10:05 · BAL 15 · Score 21-41
    2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.