Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2006 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-18, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 34–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +23.85 total EPA, and +12.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (9:09) 19-K.Larson punts 47 yards to IND 22, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 10-T.Wilkins MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CIN-86-T.Stewart at IND 25. 86-T.Stewart to IND 25 for no gain (10-T.Wilkins).

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 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +23.85 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Harrison · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +12.64 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Wayne · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +7.30 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Watson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.19 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.40 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.47 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Addai · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Utecht · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.51 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

• Indianapolis Colts — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q2 40:29)
• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Johnson (Q2 36:55)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q2 30:17)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q3 21:40)
• Indianapolis Colts — R. Wayne (P. Manning pass) (Q3 17:21)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q1 53:03)
• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q1 46:05)
• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q3 24:18)
• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q4 13:11)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q4 5:30)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CIN 12 (Q1 53:03) — (8:03) 4-A.Vinatieri 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the IND 9 (Q1 46:05) — (1:05) 17-S.Graham 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..

The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–7. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q2 40:29) — (10:29) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 88-M.Harrison for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 40:25) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the IND 12 (Q2 36:55) — (6:55) 32-R.Johnson right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 36:49) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CIN 3 (Q2 30:17) — (:17) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 88-M.Harrison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 30:13) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the IND 12 (Q3 24:18) — (9:18) 17-S.Graham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q3 21:40) — (6:40) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 88-M.Harrison for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 21:36) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q3 17:21) — (2:21) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 87-R.Wayne for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 17:16) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the IND 10 (Q4 13:11) — (13:11) 17-S.Graham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CIN 26 (Q4 5:30) — (5:30) 4-A.Vinatieri 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

Turning points

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 39:09) — (9:09) 19-K.Larson punts 47 yards to IND 22, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 10-T.Wilkins MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CIN-86-T.Stewart at IND 25. 86-T.Stewart to IND 25 for no gain (10-T.Wilkins). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.17]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 34:04) — (4:04) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning scrambles up the middle to CIN 37 for 12 yards (59-L.Johnson). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +1.83]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 27:11) — (12:11) 29-J.Addai up the middle to CIN 45 for no gain (90-J.Smith, 98-B.Robinson). [WPA -8.2% · EPA -3.23]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 57:51) — (12:51) 9-C.Palmer sacked at CIN 48 for -9 yards (93-D.Freeney). FUMBLES (93-D.Freeney), RECOVERED by IND-92-A.McFarland at CIN 46. 92-A.McFarland to CIN 46 for no gain (65-E.Steinbach). Credit the Co [WPA -8.2% · EPA -4.77]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 50:07) — (5:07) 9-C.Palmer pass deep right to 85-C.Johnson to IND 44 for 16 yards (25-N.Harper). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +1.69]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 39:09) — (9:09) 19-K.Larson punts 47 yards to IND 22, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 10-T.Wilkins MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CIN-86-T.Stewart at IND 25. 86-T.Stewart to IND 25 for no gain (10-T.Wilkins). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.17]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 57:51) — (12:51) 9-C.Palmer sacked at CIN 48 for -9 yards (93-D.Freeney). FUMBLES (93-D.Freeney), RECOVERED by IND-92-A.McFarland at CIN 46. 92-A.McFarland to CIN 46 for no gain (65-E.Steinbach). Credit the Co [WPA -8.2% · EPA -4.77]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 15:53) — (:53) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 33-K.Watson to IND 24 for 46 yards (26-K.Hayden). [WPA +1.2% · EPA +3.90]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 27:11) — (12:11) 29-J.Addai up the middle to CIN 45 for no gain (90-J.Smith, 98-B.Robinson). [WPA -8.2% · EPA -3.23]

Quarterback report card

P.Manning led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 40 dropbacks · 72.5% completion · +12.1% CPOE · +0.60 EPA/play · +23.85 total EPA
• C.Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 35 dropbacks · 40.0% completion · -7.5% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Indianapolis Colts held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +0.59 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 9 drives, +16.43 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Indianapolis Colts leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Manning (IND) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Palmer (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.

1. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 53:03 · CIN 12 · Score 0-3
   (8:03) 4-A.Vinatieri 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
2. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 46:05 · IND 9 · Score 3-3
   (1:05) 17-S.Graham 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
3. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 40:29 · CIN 4 · Score 3-9
   (10:29) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 88-M.Harrison for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 40:25 · CIN 2 · Score 3-10
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
5. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 36:55 · IND 12 · Score 9-10
   (6:55) 32-R.Johnson right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 36:49 · IND 2 · Score 10-10
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
7. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 30:17 · CIN 3 · Score 10-16
   (:17) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 88-M.Harrison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · CIN 2 · Score 10-17
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
9. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 24:18 · IND 12 · Score 13-17
   (9:18) 17-S.Graham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
10. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 21:40 · CIN 1 · Score 13-23
    (6:40) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 88-M.Harrison for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 21:36 · CIN 2 · Score 13-24
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
12. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 17:21 · CIN 18 · Score 13-30
    (2:21) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 87-R.Wayne for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 17:16 · CIN 2 · Score 13-31
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
14. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 13:11 · IND 10 · Score 16-31
    (13:11) 17-S.Graham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
15. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q4 5:30 · CIN 26 · Score 16-34
    (5:30) 4-A.Vinatieri 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.