Game story
In Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season on 2022-01-09, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 21–16 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Allen (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -8.99 total EPA, and -16.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D. Felton (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.70 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+12.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (2:31) 8-B.Allen pass short right to 25-C.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Felton · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
- 2 J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.34 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 3 T. Taylor · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 4 D. Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +2.59 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 5 C. Evans · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
- 6 T. Williams · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +1.30 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 7 D. Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +0.44 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 8 B. Allen · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +0.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Felton — CLE · Receiving
D. Felton posted the highest total EPA (+3.70) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +1.85 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.44 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (3:40) 5-C.Keenum sacked at CLE 23 for -11 yards (93-W.Ray). FUMBLES (93-W.Ray) [93-W.Ray], RECOVERED by CIN-41-T.Henderson at CLE 29. 41-T.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — J. Landry (C. Keenum pass)
- Cleveland Browns — D. Johnson
- Cincinnati Bengals — T. Henderson
- Cleveland Browns — D. Felton (C. Keenum pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. Evans (B. Allen pass)
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — E. Fry
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 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 26 (Q1 46:03) — (1:03) (No Huddle) 5-C.Keenum pass deep left to 80-J.Landry for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 45:56) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q2 41:27) — (11:27) (No Huddle) 30-D.Johnson right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 41:22) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CIN 66 (Q2 33:40); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 33:28) — 3-E.Fry 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 CLE 18 (Q3 20:05) — (5:05) 3-E.Fry 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–6. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 10 (Q4 7:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass short right to 25-D.Felton for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 7:14) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) 8-B.Allen pass short right to 25-C.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) 8-B.Allen pass short right to 25-C.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 33:40) — (3:40) 5-C.Keenum sacked at CLE 23 for -11 yards (93-W.Ray). FUMBLES (93-W.Ray) [93-W.Ray], RECOVERED by CIN-41-T.Henderson at CLE 29. 41-T.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 14:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass incomplete short left to 11-D.Peoples-Jones.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 7:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass short right to 25-D.Felton for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass short middle intended for 88-H.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Hilton (51-M.Bailey) at CIN -3. 21-M.Hilton to CIN 32 for 35 yards (85-D.Njoku). PENALTY on CLE-77-W.Teller, U
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 33:40) — (3:40) 5-C.Keenum sacked at CLE 23 for -11 yards (93-W.Ray). FUMBLES (93-W.Ray) [93-W.Ray], RECOVERED by CIN-41-T.Henderson at CLE 29. 41-T.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) 8-B.Allen sacked at CLE 48 for -13 yards (90-J.Clowney). FUMBLES (90-J.Clowney) [90-J.Clowney], touched at CLE 48, recovered by CIN-89-D.Sample at CIN 37. Cincinnati challenged the fumble rulin
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) 8-B.Allen pass short right to 25-C.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 7:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass short right to 25-D.Felton for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Allen led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Allen (Cincinnati Bengals) · 35 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -16.5% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -8.99 total EPA
- C.Keenum (Cleveland Browns) · 27 dropbacks · 63.0% completion · +2.9% CPOE · -0.11 EPA/play · -3.06 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.124 | -0.062 |
| Offensive success rate | 32.4% | 51.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.257 | -0.113 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.042 | +0.067 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.062 | +0.124 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.7% | 67.6% |
By the numbers
Cleveland Browns held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 10 drives, -8.79 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, -4.80 total EPA, 4 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.
- D. Felton (Cleveland Browns) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Allen (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.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 46:03 · CIN 26 · Score 0-6
(1:03) (No Huddle) 5-C.Keenum pass deep left to 80-J.Landry for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 45:56 · CIN 15 · Score 0-7
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 41:27 · CIN 4 · Score 0-13
(11:27) (No Huddle) 30-D.Johnson right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 41:22 · CIN 15 · Score 0-14
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 33:40 · CIN 66 · Score 6-14
(3:40) 5-C.Keenum sacked at CLE 23 for -11 yards (93-W.Ray). FUMBLES (93-W.Ray) [93-W.Ray], RECOVERED by CIN-41-T.Henderson at CLE 29. 41-T.Henderson for 29 yar - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 33:28 · CLE 15 · Score 7-14
3-E.Fry extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 20:05 · CLE 18 · Score 10-14
(5:05) 3-E.Fry 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 7:20 · CIN 10 · Score 10-20
(7:20) (Shotgun) 5-C.Keenum pass short right to 25-D.Felton for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 7:14 · CIN 15 · Score 10-21
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 2:31 · CLE 4 · Score 16-21
(2:31) 8-B.Allen pass short right to 25-C.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals 21-16 in Week 18, 2021 on 2022-01-09.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 16, Cleveland Browns 21 (CIN 16-21 CLE) in Week 18, 2021 on 2022-01-09.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Cleveland Browns 7; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Cleveland Browns 0; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 6, Cleveland Browns 7; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 16, Cleveland Browns 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — J. Landry (C. Keenum pass) (Q1 46:03) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Johnson (Q2 41:27) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Henderson (Q2 33:40) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Felton (C. Keenum pass) (Q4 7:20) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Evans (B. Allen pass) (Q4 2:31) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. Fry (Q3 20:05, 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?
B. Allen (Cincinnati Bengals), 42.9% completion, -16.5% CPOE, -0.26 EPA per dropback, -8.99 total passing EPA. C. Keenum (Cleveland Browns), 63.0% completion, +2.9% CPOE, -0.11 EPA per dropback, -3.06 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?
D. Felton (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +3.70 on receiving plays. across 2 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.44 EPA): (3:40) 5-C.Keenum sacked at CLE 23 for -11 yards (93-W.Ray). FUMBLES (93-W.Ray) [93-W.Ray], RECOVERED by CIN-41-T.Henderson at CLE 29. 41-T.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +12.2%.
Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Cleveland Browns won 21-16 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 10-6 Now 10-7 L
Cleveland Browns
Entered 7-9 Now 8-9 W
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