Game story
In Week 16 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-28, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 20–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +6.96 total EPA, and +5.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.77 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-48.8% win probability) landed in overtime when Denver Broncos changed the game: (10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. McCarron · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +10.77 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 2 B. Osweiler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.96 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
- 3 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.72 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 4 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.13 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 5 O. Daniels · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.14 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 6 M. Sanu · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
- 7 G. Bernard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 8 M. Sanu · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +2.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. McCarron — CIN · Passing
A. McCarron posted the highest total EPA (+10.77) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cincinnati Bengals's efficiency. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.26 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.35 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (4:12) 22-C.Anderson up the middle to CIN 27 for 5 yards (90-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (90-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-20-R.Nelson at CIN 26. 20-R.Nelson to CIN 26 for no gain (85-V.Green).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — A. Green (A. McCarron pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — M. Sanu
- Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (B. Osweiler pass)
- Denver Broncos — C. Anderson
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — B. McManus
- Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent
- Denver Broncos — B. McManus
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 DEN 5 (Q1 52:31) — (7:31) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass short right to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 52:26) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 6 (Q2 40:56) — (10:56) (Shotgun) 12-M.Sanu left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 40:51) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 5 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 8 (Q3 25:20) — (10:20) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 25:14) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 39 (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 11:17) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 34 (Q4 6:51) — (6:51) 2-M.Nugent 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
Overtime: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 19 (OT 10:05) — (10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (OT 10:05) — (10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- Cincinnati Bengals (OT 9:48) — (9:48) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron FUMBLES (Aborted) at CIN 23, RECOVERED by DEN-94-D.Ware at CIN 23.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- Denver Broncos (OT 13:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short right to 85-V.Green pushed ob at DEN 41 for 8 yards (55-V.Burfict). PENALTY on CIN-55-V.Burfict, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at DEN 41.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 4:12) — (4:12) 22-C.Anderson up the middle to CIN 27 for 5 yards (90-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (90-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-20-R.Nelson at CIN 26. 20-R.Nelson to CIN 26 for no gain (85-V.Green).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 32:31) — (2:31) 2-M.Nugent 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 9:58) — (9:58) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass deep middle to 12-M.Sanu to CIN 34 for 20 yards (29-B.Roby) [58-V.Miller].
Quarterback report card
B.Osweiler led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Osweiler (Denver Broncos) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.96 total EPA
- A.McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) · 41 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · +4.6% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +10.77 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.022 | +0.026 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.0% | 52.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.263 | +0.155 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.198 | -0.157 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.026 | -0.022 |
| Defensive success rate | 47.6% | 60.0% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cincinnati Bengals +0.02, Denver Broncos +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +1.97 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +2.10 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos 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. McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Osweiler (DEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- A. McCarron (CIN) 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.
- Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 52:31 · DEN 5 · Score 6-0
(7:31) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass short right to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 52:26 · DEN 15 · Score 7-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 40:56 · DEN 6 · Score 13-0
(10:56) (Shotgun) 12-M.Sanu left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 40:51 · DEN 15 · Score 14-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:18 · CIN 5 · Score 14-3
(:18) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 25:20 · CIN 8 · Score 14-9
(10:20) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 25:14 · CIN 15 · Score 14-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 11:27 · CIN 39 · Score 14-16
(11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 11:17 · CIN 15 · Score 14-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 6:51 · DEN 34 · Score 17-17
(6:51) 2-M.Nugent 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — OT 10:05 · CIN 19 · Score 17-20
(10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in Week 16, 2015 on 2015-12-28.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 17, Denver Broncos 20 (CIN 17-20 DEN) in Week 16, 2015 on 2015-12-28.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q5: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Denver Broncos 3; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 17, Denver Broncos 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — A. Green (A. McCarron pass) (Q1 52:31) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — M. Sanu (Q2 40:56) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Sanders (B. Osweiler pass) (Q3 25:20) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Anderson (Q4 11:27) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 30:18, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q4 6:51, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (OT 10:05, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?
B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos), 60.0% completion, +5.0% CPOE, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +6.96 total passing EPA. A. McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.7% completion, +4.6% CPOE, +0.26 EPA per dropback, +10.77 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?
A. McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) led the game in total EPA with +10.77 on passing plays. across 41 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.35 EPA): (4:12) 22-C.Anderson up the middle to CIN 27 for 5 yards (90-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (90-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-20-R.Nelson at CIN 26. 20-R.Nelson to CIN 26 for no gain (85-V.Gre. The biggest win-probability swing was -48.8%.
Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 11-3 Now 11-4 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W
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