Quick answer
- Winner
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Final score
- Cincinnati Bengals 27–17 Cleveland Browns
- Halftime
- Cincinnati Bengals 13–14 Cleveland Browns at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- C. Benson
- Top passer
- Colt McCoy
- Biggest EPA play
- (1:56) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Game date
- 2011-09-11
Game summary
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 27–17 on 2011-09-11, overcoming Cleveland Browns's 14–13 halftime lead. C. Benson posted a game-high +4.76 total EPA in the rushing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 27 | |
| 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
C. Benson · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +4.76 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play - 2
J. Gresham · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.71 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play - 3

Elijah Moore · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play - 4

Art Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play - 5
B. Leonard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play - 6
M. Massaquoi · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play - 7
Colt McCoy · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +0.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play - 8

Blake Watson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +0.21 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
C. Benson — CIN · Rushing
C. Benson posted the highest total EPA (+4.76) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cincinnati Bengals. Across 25 counted snaps, they averaged +0.19 EPA per play.
C. Benson's top snap (+6.11 EPA): (1:56) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
Colt McCoy led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Colt McCoy (Cleveland Browns) · 44 dropbacks · 43.2% completion · -7.9% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -6.05 total EPA
Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 21 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · +7.6% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.49 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.020 | -0.132 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.9% | 36.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.009 | -0.138 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.128 | -0.105 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.132 | -0.020 |
| Defensive success rate | 63.7% | 59.1% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Cincinnati Bengals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Cincinnati Bengals: +0.02 EPA/play (57th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
- Cleveland Browns: -0.13 EPA/play (20th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 14 drives, +1.75 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 14 drives, -12.02 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Cincinnati Bengals — J. Gresham (Andy Dalton pass) 
Cleveland Browns — Blake Watson (Colt McCoy pass) 
Cleveland Browns — Elijah Moore (Colt McCoy pass) 
Cincinnati Bengals — Art Green (B. Gradkowski pass)
Cincinnati Bengals — C. Benson
Field goals
Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent
Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent
Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 6 (Q1 8:22) — (8:22) 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 CLE 2 (Q1 2:29) — (2:29) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 84-J.Gresham for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 2:22) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 14–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 29 (Q2 11:34) — (11:34) 2-M.Nugent 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 34 (Q2 9:25) — (9:25) 12-C.McCoy pass deep middle to 82-B.Watson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 9:17) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-8-R.McGee.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 2 (Q2 4:19) — (4:19) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass short middle to 89-E.Moore for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 4:14) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-8-R.McGee..
The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 3 (Q3 8:38) — (8:38) 4-P.Dawson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-8-R.McGee..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 41 (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Gradkowski pass deep right to 18-A.Green for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 4:28) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 39 (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 1:49) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Gradkowski pass deep right to 18-A.Green for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 2:12) — (2:12) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass incomplete short middle to 55-A.Mack. Penalty on CLE-55-A.Mack, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 3:00) — (3:00) 10-K.Huber punts 37 yards to CLE 23, Center-46-C.Harris. 16-J.Cribbs to CLE 44 for 21 yards (46-C.Harris).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 5:29) — (5:29) 12-C.McCoy pass deep right to 11-M.Massaquoi to CIN 5 for 56 yards (20-R.Nelson) [53-T.Howard].
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 0:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 7-B.Gradkowski sacked at 50 for -7 yards (52-D.Jackson).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Gradkowski pass deep right to 18-A.Green for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 5:29) — (5:29) 12-C.McCoy pass deep right to 11-M.Massaquoi to CIN 5 for 56 yards (20-R.Nelson) [53-T.Howard].
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 9:25) — (9:25) 12-C.McCoy pass deep middle to 82-B.Watson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 8:22 · CLE 6 · Score 3-0
(8:22) 2-M.Nugent 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 2:29 · CLE 2 · Score 9-0
(2:29) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 84-J.Gresham for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 2:22 · CLE 2 · Score 10-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 11:34 · CLE 29 · Score 13-0
(11:34) 2-M.Nugent 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 9:25 · CIN 34 · Score 13-6
(9:25) 12-C.McCoy pass deep middle to 82-B.Watson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 9:17 · CIN 2 · Score 13-7
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-8-R.McGee.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 4:19 · CIN 2 · Score 13-13
(4:19) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass short middle to 89-E.Moore for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 4:14 · CIN 2 · Score 13-14
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-8-R.McGee.
Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q3 8:38 · CIN 3 · Score 13-17
(8:38) 4-P.Dawson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-8-R.McGee.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 4:31 · CLE 41 · Score 19-17
(4:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Gradkowski pass deep right to 18-A.Green for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 4:28 · CLE 2 · Score 20-17
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 1:56 · CLE 39 · Score 26-17
(1:56) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 1:49 · CLE 2 · Score 27-17
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Cincinnati Bengals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- C. Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Colt McCoy (CLE) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
- Andy Dalton (CIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns on 2011-09-11?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 27-17 in Week 1, 2011.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 10, Cleveland Browns 0; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Cleveland Browns 14; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Cleveland Browns 3; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 14, Cleveland Browns 0; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 27, Cleveland Browns 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Gresham (A. Dalton pass) (Q1 2:29) Cleveland Browns touchdown — B. Watson (C. McCoy pass) (Q2 9:25) Cleveland Browns touchdown — E. Moore (C. McCoy pass) (Q2 4:19) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — A. Green (B. Gradkowski pass) (Q4 4:31) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Benson (Q4 1:56) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q1 8:22, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q2 11:34, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q3 8:38, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Colt McCoy (Cleveland Browns), 43.2% completion, -7.9% CPOE, -0.14 EPA per dropback, -6.05 total passing EPA. Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals), 47.6% completion, +7.6% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.49 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
C. Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.76 total EPA on Rushing plays. across 25 snaps. Their top snap (+6.11 EPA): (1:56) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Now 1-0 W
Cleveland Browns
Now 0-1 L