Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens: 2012 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-10, the Baltimore Ravens took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 44–13 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -15.62 total EPA, and -6.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.21 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+10.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Baltimore Ravens changed the game: (14:55) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith to CIN 27 for 52 yards (29-L.Hall).

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. Flacco · Baltimore Ravens · Passing · +16.21 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Green-Ellis · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +8.44 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Pitta · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +5.47 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Rice · Baltimore Ravens · Rushing · +4.90 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Hawkins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.67 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Boldin · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +4.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Jones · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +4.19 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.40 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Smith · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.98 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. Rice (Q1 51:08)
• Baltimore Ravens — A. Boldin (J. Flacco pass) (Q2 42:34)
• Cincinnati Bengals — B. Green-Ellis (Q2 30:27)
• Baltimore Ravens — D. Pitta (J. Flacco pass) (Q3 20:25)
• Baltimore Ravens — E. Reed (Q3 15:22)
• Baltimore Ravens — R. Rice (Q4 14:09)

Field goals

• Baltimore Ravens — J. Tucker (Q1 57:59)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q2 44:56)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q3 24:47)
• Baltimore Ravens — J. Tucker (Q3 16:18)
• Baltimore Ravens — J. Tucker (Q4 3:06)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 10–0. Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the CIN 28 (Q1 57:59) — (12:59) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 7 (Q1 51:08) — (6:08) (No Huddle) 27-R.Rice right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 51:03) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch..

The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–7. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the BAL 16 (Q2 44:56) — (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Nugent 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 34 (Q2 42:34); Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the BAL 35 (Q2 42:25) — 9-J.Tucker kicks 73 yards from BAL 35 to CIN -8. 19-B.Tate, Touchback.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the BAL 6 (Q2 30:27) — (:27) 42-B.Green-Ellis left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q2 30:18) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The third quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 17–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the BAL 1 (Q3 24:47) — (9:47) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Nugent 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 10 (Q3 20:25) — (5:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short middle to 88-D.Pitta for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 20:18) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the CIN 21 (Q3 16:18) — (1:18) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the BAL 79 (Q3 15:22); Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 15:13) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch..

The fourth quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 10–0. Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 14:09) — (14:09) 27-R.Rice left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 14:04) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the CIN 20 (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch..

Turning points

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

• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 59:55) — (14:55) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith to CIN 27 for 52 yards (29-L.Hall). [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.39]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 30:27) — (:27) 42-B.Green-Ellis left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.6% · EPA +4.40]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco sacked at CIN 28 for -7 yards (97-G.Atkins). [WPA -8.9% · EPA -2.36]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 54:46) — (9:46) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 12-J.Jones to CIN 29 for 16 yards (23-T.Newman). [WPA +6.6% · EPA +2.71]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q2 42:34) — (12:34) (No Huddle) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 81-A.Boldin for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.67]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 15:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 19-B.Tate INTERCEPTED by 20-E.Reed at CIN 34. 20-E.Reed for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ed Reed is now NFL's all-time leader with 1,497 interception r [WPA -3.2% · EPA -5.97]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 30:27) — (:27) 42-B.Green-Ellis left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.6% · EPA +4.40]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 14:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton sacked at CIN 28 for 0 yards (52-R.Lewis). FUMBLES (52-R.Lewis), RECOVERED by BAL-21-L.Webb at CIN 28. 21-L.Webb to CIN 28 for no gain (71-A.Smith). [WPA -1.0% · EPA -4.06]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q2 42:34) — (12:34) (No Huddle) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 81-A.Boldin for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.67]

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) · 42 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · -6.3% CPOE · -0.37 EPA/play · -15.62 total EPA
• J.Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) · 35 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +11.8% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +16.21 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Baltimore Ravens held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs -0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Baltimore Ravens: 11 drives, +22.54 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, -8.42 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Baltimore Ravens leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) 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.
• J. Flacco (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. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q1 57:59 · CIN 28 · Score 0-3
   (12:59) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
2. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q1 51:08 · CIN 7 · Score 0-9
   (6:08) (No Huddle) 27-R.Rice right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q1 51:03 · CIN 2 · Score 0-10
   9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
4. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 44:56 · BAL 16 · Score 3-10
   (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Nugent 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
5. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q2 42:34 · CIN 34 · Score 3-16
   (12:34) (No Huddle) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 81-A.Boldin for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play
6. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q2 42:25 · BAL 35 · Score 3-17
   9-J.Tucker kicks 73 yards from BAL 35 to CIN -8. 19-B.Tate, Touchback.
7. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 30:27 · BAL 6 · Score 9-17
   (:27) 42-B.Green-Ellis left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 30:18 · BAL 2 · Score 10-17
   2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
9. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 24:47 · BAL 1 · Score 13-17
   (9:47) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Nugent 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
10. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q3 20:25 · CIN 10 · Score 13-23
    (5:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short middle to 88-D.Pitta for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q3 20:18 · CIN 2 · Score 13-24
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
12. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q3 16:18 · CIN 21 · Score 13-27
    (1:18) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
13. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q3 15:22 · BAL 79 · Score 13-33
    (:22) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 19-B.Tate INTERCEPTED by 20-E.Reed at CIN 34. 20-E.Reed for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ed Reed is now NFL's a
14. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q3 15:13 · CIN 2 · Score 13-34
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
15. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q4 14:09 · CIN 1 · Score 13-40
    (14:09) 27-R.Rice left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q4 14:04 · CIN 2 · Score 13-41
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
17. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q4 3:06 · CIN 20 · Score 13-44
    (3:06) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.