Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2015 Week 11 Recap

Game story

In Week 11 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-22, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +14.97 total EPA, and -4.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (11:32) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 14-J.Nelson for 64 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 A. Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +14.97 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +14.67 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
3. 3 G. Bernard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +8.30 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Nelson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.72 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
5. 5 Jo. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.18 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.39 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Eifert · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +6.08 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.00 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Sanu · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.96 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 — T. Eifert (A. Dalton pass) (Q1 45:26)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Fells (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 39:52)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Hill (Q2 31:12)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Nelson (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 26:32)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer (Q3 20:37)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 16:32)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Hill (Q4 12:03)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Eifert (A. Dalton pass) (Q4 3:49)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 6:31)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q4 1:08)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 0:06)

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 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q1 45:26) — (:26) (Shotgun) 74-J.Fisher reported in as eligible. 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 85-T.Eifert for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 45:22) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 85-D.Fells for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 20 (Q2 39:44) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) 32-J.Hill up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 31:07) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 21–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 64 (Q3 26:32) — (11:32) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 14-J.Nelson for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 26:21) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q3 20:37) — (5:37) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 12-Jo.Brown for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 20:32) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler. CIN-36-S.Williams was injured during the play.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 16 (Q3 16:32) — (1:32) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 31-D.Johnson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 16:26) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 17–6. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 12:03) — (12:03) 74-J.Fisher reported in as eligible. 32-J.Hill up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 11:26) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CIN 6 (Q4 6:31) — (6:31) 7-C.Catanzaro 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q4 3:49) — (3:49) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 85-T.Eifert for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 3:44) — 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 25 (Q4 1:08) — (1:08) 2-M.Nugent 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CIN 14 (Q4 0:06) — (:06) 7-C.Catanzaro 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 26:32) — (11:32) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 14-J.Nelson for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.1% · EPA +4.80]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete deep right to 18-A.Green (28-J.Bethel). [WPA -14.3% · EPA +0.38]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 25-G.Bernard to ARI 33 for 30 yards (32-T.Mathieu). [WPA +13.6% · EPA +1.23]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:57) — (1:57) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 25-G.Bernard to ARI 2 for 41 yards (26-R.Johnson). [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.79]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:06) — (:06) (Run formation) PENALTY on CIN-94-D.Peko, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 14 yards, enforced at CIN 28 - No Play. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +1.25]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 26:32) — (11:32) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 14-J.Nelson for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.1% · EPA +4.80]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 8:49) — (8:49) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton sacked at CIN 10 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-20-D.Bucannon at CIN 10. 20-D.Bucannon to CIN 10 for no gain (65-C.Bolin [WPA -6.7% · EPA -4.40]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 17:55) — (2:55) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 14-J.Nelson to CIN 17 for 36 yards (90-M.Johnson). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +3.83]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:57) — (1:57) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 25-G.Bernard to ARI 2 for 41 yards (26-R.Johnson). [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.79]

Quarterback report card

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

• A.Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 52 dropbacks · 42.3% completion · -4.3% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +14.97 total EPA
• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 33 dropbacks · 60.6% completion · +2.8% CPOE · +0.44 EPA/play · +14.67 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cincinnati Bengals +0.10, Arizona Cardinals +0.13) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +10.70 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Cincinnati Bengals: 13 drives, +9.52 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Arizona Cardinals 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.
• A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Dalton (CIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 45:26 · ARI 3 · Score 6-0
   (:26) (Shotgun) 74-J.Fisher reported in as eligible. 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 85-T.Eifert for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 45:22 · ARI 15 · Score 7-0
   2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 39:52 · CIN 18 · Score 7-6
   (9:52) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 85-D.Fells for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 39:44 · CIN 20 · Score 7-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
5. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 31:12 · ARI 2 · Score 13-7
   (1:12) 32-J.Hill up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 31:07 · ARI 15 · Score 14-7
   2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 26:32 · CIN 64 · Score 14-13
   (11:32) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 14-J.Nelson for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 26:21 · CIN 15 · Score 14-14
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 20:37 · CIN 18 · Score 14-20
   (5:37) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 12-Jo.Brown for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 20:32 · CIN 15 · Score 14-21
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler. CIN-36-S.Williams was injured during the play.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 16:32 · CIN 16 · Score 14-27
    (1:32) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 31-D.Johnson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 16:26 · CIN 15 · Score 14-28
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
13. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 12:03 · ARI 1 · Score 20-28
    (12:03) 74-J.Fisher reported in as eligible. 32-J.Hill up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 11:26 · ARI 15 · Score 21-28
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
15. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 6:31 · CIN 6 · Score 21-31
    (6:31) 7-C.Catanzaro 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
16. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 3:49 · ARI 10 · Score 27-31
    (3:49) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 85-T.Eifert for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 3:44 · ARI 15 · Score 28-31
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
18. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 1:08 · ARI 25 · Score 31-31
    (1:08) 2-M.Nugent 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
19. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:06 · CIN 14 · Score 31-34
    (:06) 7-C.Catanzaro 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.