Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2018 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-09, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 34–23 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +0.28 total EPA, and +3.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-30.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (:40) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 84-J.Doyle to CIN 15 for 15 yards (42-C.Fejedelem). FUMBLES (42-C.Fejedelem), RECOVERED by CIN-42-C.Fejedelem at CIN 17. 42-C.Fejedelem for 83 yards, TOUCH

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. Mixon · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +3.48 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
2. 2 E. Ebron · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +3.06 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
5. 5 Z. Pascal · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.11 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Rogers · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Eifert · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Hilton · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.48 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.13 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 — E. Ebron (A. Luck pass) (Q2 42:09)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Ross (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 31:48)
• Indianapolis Colts — T. Hilton (A. Luck pass) (Q3 23:17)
• Cincinnati Bengals — A. Green (A. Dalton pass) (Q3 19:18)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon (Q4 11:10)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Doyle (A. Luck pass) (Q4 0:40)

Field goals

• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Bullock (Q1 53:25)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q1 46:27)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q2 33:06)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q2 30:06)
• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Bullock (Q4 4:01)

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. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the IND 24 (Q1 53:25) — (8:25) 4-R.Bullock 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CIN 3 (Q1 46:27) — (1:27) 4-A.Vinatieri 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez..

The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 13–7. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CIN 26 (Q2 42:09) — (12:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 85-E.Ebron for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 42:02) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CIN 20 (Q2 33:06) — (3:06) 4-A.Vinatieri 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 15-J.Ross for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 31:44) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the CIN 33 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 4-A.Vinatieri 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the CIN 5 (Q3 23:17); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 23:13) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the IND 38 (Q3 19:18) — (4:18) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left to 18-A.Green for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 19:09) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 17–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q4 11:10) — (11:10) 74-J.Fisher and 94-S.Hubbard reported in as eligible. 28-J.Mixon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 11:07) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the IND 21 (Q4 4:01) — (4:01) 4-R.Bullock 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CIN 30 (Q4 0:40); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 0:24) — 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.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 84-J.Doyle to CIN 15 for 15 yards (42-C.Fejedelem). FUMBLES (42-C.Fejedelem), RECOVERED by CIN-42-C.Fejedelem at CIN 17. 42-C.Fejedelem for 83 yards, TOUCH [WPA -30.8% · EPA -9.43]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 59:11) — (14:11) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 28-J.Mixon INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Moore II at CIN 39. 23-K.Moore II to CIN 7 for 32 yards (14-A.Dalton). [WPA -17.7% · EPA -7.28]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 21-N.Hines to CIN 30 for -5 yards (59-N.Vigil). [WPA -16.0% · EPA -0.80]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 58:18) — (13:18) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left intended for 84-J.Doyle INTERCEPTED by 52-P.Brown at CIN 5. 52-P.Brown to CIN 7 for 2 yards (21-N.Hines). [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.16]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 6:57) — (6:57) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 83-T.Boyd ran ob at IND 40 for 17 yards (29-M.Hooker). [WPA +11.5% · EPA +2.43]

Impact plays

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

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 84-J.Doyle to CIN 15 for 15 yards (42-C.Fejedelem). FUMBLES (42-C.Fejedelem), RECOVERED by CIN-42-C.Fejedelem at CIN 17. 42-C.Fejedelem for 83 yards, TOUCH [WPA -30.8% · EPA -9.43]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 59:11) — (14:11) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 28-J.Mixon INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Moore II at CIN 39. 23-K.Moore II to CIN 7 for 32 yards (14-A.Dalton). [WPA -17.7% · EPA -7.28]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 45:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 18-A.Green to IND 45 for 13 yards (41-M.Farley). FUMBLES (41-M.Farley), touched at IND 45, RECOVERED by IND-53-D.Leonard at IND 42. 53-D.Leonard to IND 4 [WPA -8.3% · EPA -4.42]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 58:18) — (13:18) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left intended for 84-J.Doyle INTERCEPTED by 52-P.Brown at CIN 5. 52-P.Brown to CIN 7 for 2 yards (21-N.Hines). [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.16]

Quarterback report card

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

• A.Luck (Indianapolis Colts) · 60 dropbacks · 65.0% completion · +3.2% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.28 total EPA
• A.Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 34 dropbacks · 61.8% completion · +3.8% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Cincinnati Bengals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +6.10 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 11 drives, -8.69 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Cincinnati Bengals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Luck (IND) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• A. Dalton (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.

1. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 53:25 · IND 24 · Score 3-0
   (8:25) 4-R.Bullock 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
2. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 46:27 · CIN 3 · Score 3-3
   (1:27) 4-A.Vinatieri 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
3. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 42:09 · CIN 26 · Score 3-9
   (12:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 85-E.Ebron for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 42:02 · CIN 15 · Score 3-10
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
5. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 33:06 · CIN 20 · Score 3-13
   (3:06) 4-A.Vinatieri 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
6. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 31:48 · IND 3 · Score 9-13
   (1:48) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 15-J.Ross for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 31:44 · IND 15 · Score 10-13
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
8. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · CIN 33 · Score 10-16
   (:06) 4-A.Vinatieri 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
9. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 23:17 · CIN 5 · Score 10-22
   (8:17) (No Huddle) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 13-T.Hilton for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CIN-22-W.Jackson, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced betwe
10. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 23:13 · CIN 15 · Score 10-23
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
11. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 19:18 · IND 38 · Score 16-23
    (4:18) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left to 18-A.Green for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 19:09 · IND 15 · Score 17-23
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
13. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 11:10 · IND 1 · Score 23-23
    (11:10) 74-J.Fisher and 94-S.Hubbard reported in as eligible. 28-J.Mixon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 11:07 · IND 15 · Score 24-23
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
15. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 4:01 · IND 21 · Score 27-23
    (4:01) 4-R.Bullock 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
16. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 0:40 · CIN 30 · Score 33-23
    (:40) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 84-J.Doyle to CIN 15 for 15 yards (42-C.Fejedelem). FUMBLES (42-C.Fejedelem), RECOVERED by CIN-42-C.Fejedelem at CI
17. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 0:24 · IND 15 · Score 34-23
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.