Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns: 2020 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-17, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 35–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +17.13 total EPA, and -0.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (10:25) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 83-T.Boyd pushed ob at CLE 26 for 7 yards (20-T.Thomas).

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 · +17.13 total EPA · 71 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Boyd · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +15.15 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.89 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Mayfield · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +12.60 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Hunt · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +6.76 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.52 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Hunt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.91 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.95 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Thomas · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Uzomah · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.45 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

• Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb (Q1 46:55)
• Cleveland Browns — O. Beckham (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 42:02)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Uzomah (J. Burrow pass) (Q2 39:06)
• Cleveland Browns — K. Hunt (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 31:36)
• Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb (Q3 20:49)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Thomas (J. Burrow pass) (Q4 5:59)
• Cleveland Browns — K. Hunt (Q4 3:59)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Boyd (J. Burrow pass) (Q4 0:48)

Field goals

• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Bullock (Q1 52:17)
• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Bullock (Q2 30:06)
• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Bullock (Q3 15:23)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 20 (Q1 52:17) — (7:17) 4-R.Bullock 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 11 (Q1 46:55) — (1:55) 24-N.Chubb right guard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 46:48) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..

The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 14–10. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 43 (Q2 42:02); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 41:54) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 23 (Q2 39:06) — (9:06) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 87-C.Uzomah for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 39:00) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 6 (Q2 31:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 27-K.Hunt for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 31:31) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 25 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q3 20:49) — (5:49) 24-N.Chubb right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 20:45) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 9 (Q3 15:23) — (:23) 4-R.Bullock 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–7. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q4 5:59) — (5:59) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 80-M.Thomas for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 5:55) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 3:59) — (3:59) 27-K.Hunt right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 3:55) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 9 (Q4 0:48) — (:48) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 83-T.Boyd for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 0:43) — 4-R.Bullock 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 (Q1 55:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 83-T.Boyd pushed ob at CLE 26 for 7 yards (20-T.Thomas). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +2.95]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 52:58) — (7:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow sacked at CLE 20 for -11 yards (94-A.Clayborn). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -1.65]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 5:11) — (5:11) 24-N.Chubb left guard to CIN 45 for 26 yards (23-D.Phillips). [WPA +7.0% · EPA +2.02]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 57:56) — (12:56) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow scrambles up the middle to CLE 39 for 7 yards (93-B.Goodson). [WPA +6.9% · EPA +1.64]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 23:07) — (8:07) 24-N.Chubb right guard to CIN 1 for 1 yard (92-F.Akinmoladun; 98-D.Reader). [WPA -6.4% · EPA -2.56]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 21:02) — (6:02) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow sacked at CIN 4 for -8 yards (95-M.Garrett). FUMBLES (95-M.Garrett) [97-P.Gustin], RECOVERED by CLE-91-J.Jackson at CIN 1. 91-J.Jackson to CIN 1 for no gain (74-F.Johnson). [WPA -5.8% · EPA -5.46]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 11:33) — (11:33) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 88-H.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 22-W.Jackson III at CIN 2. 22-W.Jackson III ran ob at CIN 32 for 30 yards (12-K.Hodge). PENALTY on CIN-90-K.Kareem, Unnece [WPA -1.7% · EPA -4.69]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 42:02) — (12:02) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-O.Beckham for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was not down by contact ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field st [WPA +6.0% · EPA +3.99]
• Cleveland Browns (Q3 25:15) — (10:15) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 80-J.Landry pushed ob at CIN 23 for 21 yards (30-J.Bates III). [WPA +6.1% · EPA +3.92]

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) · 71 dropbacks · 52.1% completion · -0.6% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +17.13 total EPA
• B.Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 24 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +12.4% CPOE · +0.53 EPA/play · +12.60 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Cleveland Browns held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 9 drives, +13.38 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Cleveland Browns: 10 drives, +18.42 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Cleveland Browns 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. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Mayfield (CLE) 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 52:17 · CLE 20 · Score 3-0
   (7:17) 4-R.Bullock 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
2. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 46:55 · CIN 11 · Score 3-6
   (1:55) 24-N.Chubb right guard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 46:48 · CIN 15 · Score 3-7
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
4. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 42:02 · CIN 43 · Score 3-13
   (12:02) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-O.Beckham for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was not down by contact ruling, and the pla
5. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 41:54 · CIN 15 · Score 3-14
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
6. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 39:06 · CLE 23 · Score 9-14
   (9:06) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 87-C.Uzomah for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 39:00 · CLE 15 · Score 10-14
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
8. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 31:36 · CIN 6 · Score 10-20
   (1:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 27-K.Hunt for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 31:31 · CIN 15 · Score 10-21
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
10. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · CLE 25 · Score 13-21
    (:06) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
11. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 20:49 · CIN 1 · Score 13-27
    (5:49) 24-N.Chubb right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 20:45 · CIN 15 · Score 13-28
    2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
13. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 15:23 · CLE 9 · Score 16-28
    (:23) 4-R.Bullock 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
14. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 5:59 · CLE 4 · Score 22-28
    (5:59) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 80-M.Thomas for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 5:55 · CLE 15 · Score 23-28
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
16. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 3:59 · CIN 1 · Score 23-34
    (3:59) 27-K.Hunt right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 3:55 · CIN 15 · Score 23-35
    2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
18. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 0:48 · CLE 9 · Score 29-35
    (:48) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 83-T.Boyd for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 0:43 · CLE 15 · Score 30-35
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.