Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots: 2010 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-09-12, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 38–24 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +6.69 total EPA, and +5.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (11:27) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 85-A.Hernandez to CIN 14 for 45 yards (22-J.Joseph).

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 C. Ochocinco · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +14.28 total EPA · 13 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +12.99 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Palmer · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +6.69 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
4. 4 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.89 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Shipley · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Moss · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Tate · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.61 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Hernandez · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.14 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

• New England Patriots — W. Welker (T. Brady pass) (Q1 54:52)
• New England Patriots — W. Welker (T. Brady pass) (Q2 39:04)
• New England Patriots — G. Guyton (Q2 35:49)
• New England Patriots — B. Tate (Q3 30:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Gresham (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 22:58)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Ochocinco (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 15:28)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q4 7:45)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Benson (Q4 4:00)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 47:33)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q2 31:19)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CIN 9 (Q1 54:52) — (9:52) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 83-W.Welker for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 54:47) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CIN 14 (Q1 47:33) — (2:33) 3-S.Gostkowski 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q2 39:04); New England Patriots added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 38:58) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 48 (Q2 35:49); New England Patriots added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 35:38) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NE 35 (Q2 31:19) — (1:19) 2-M.Nugent 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CIN 30 (Q3 30:00) — 2-M.Nugent kicks 67 yards from CIN 30 to NE 3. 19-B.Tate for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Tate 1st NFL TD.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 29:48) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 22:58); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 22:54) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NE 28 (Q3 15:28); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 15:22) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 7:45); New England Patriots added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 7:41) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q4 4:00) — (4:00) 77-A.Whitworth and 94-D.Peko reported in as eligible. 32-C.Benson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 3:57) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q1 56:27) — (11:27) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 85-A.Hernandez to CIN 14 for 45 yards (22-J.Joseph). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +2.70]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 35:49) — (5:49) (No Huddle) 9-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 84-J.Gresham INTERCEPTED by 59-G.Guyton at NE 41. 59-G.Guyton for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -7.3% · EPA -9.41]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 46:12) — (1:12) 74-D.Roland reported in as eligible. 32-C.Benson left guard to CIN 34 for -4 yards (50-R.Ninkovich). FUMBLES (50-R.Ninkovich), RECOVERED by NE-50-R.Ninkovich at CIN 28. [WPA -6.5% · EPA -5.12]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 58:00) — (13:00) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer sacked at CIN 36 for -4 yards (sack split by 91-M.Pryor and 95-T.Banta-Cain). [WPA -5.0% · EPA -2.03]
• New England Patriots (Q2 42:19) — (12:19) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 19-B.Tate ran ob at NE 44 for 20 yards. [WPA +4.4% · EPA +2.40]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 35:49) — (5:49) (No Huddle) 9-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 84-J.Gresham INTERCEPTED by 59-G.Guyton at NE 41. 59-G.Guyton for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -7.3% · EPA -9.41]
• New England Patriots (Q3 30:00) — 2-M.Nugent kicks 67 yards from CIN 30 to NE 3. 19-B.Tate for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Tate 1st NFL TD. [WPA +3.0% · EPA +6.19]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 46:12) — (1:12) 74-D.Roland reported in as eligible. 32-C.Benson left guard to CIN 34 for -4 yards (50-R.Ninkovich). FUMBLES (50-R.Ninkovich), RECOVERED by NE-50-R.Ninkovich at CIN 28. [WPA -6.5% · EPA -5.12]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 15:28) — (:28) (No Huddle) 9-C.Palmer pass deep left to 85-C.Ochocinco for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CIN 85-Ochocinco 63rd career TD, tying Carl Pickens for franchise record. [WPA +1.6% · EPA +3.29]

Quarterback report card

C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 53 dropbacks · 64.2% completion · +5.7% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.69 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 36 dropbacks · 69.4% completion · +8.8% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +12.99 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +5.31 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 10 drives, +17.57 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• C. Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Palmer (CIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Brady (NE) 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. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 54:52 · CIN 9 · Score 0-6
   (9:52) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 83-W.Welker for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 54:47 · CIN 2 · Score 0-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 47:33 · CIN 14 · Score 0-10
   (2:33) 3-S.Gostkowski 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 39:04 · CIN 4 · Score 0-16
   (9:04) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 83-W.Welker for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Cincinnati challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 38:58 · CIN 2 · Score 0-17
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
6. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 35:49 · NE 48 · Score 0-23
   (5:49) (No Huddle) 9-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 84-J.Gresham INTERCEPTED by 59-G.Guyton at NE 41. 59-G.Guyton for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 35:38 · CIN 2 · Score 0-24
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
8. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 31:19 · NE 35 · Score 3-24
   (1:19) 2-M.Nugent 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · CIN 30 · Score 3-30
   2-M.Nugent kicks 67 yards from CIN 30 to NE 3. 19-B.Tate for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Tate 1st NFL TD.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 29:48 · CIN 2 · Score 3-31
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
11. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 22:58 · NE 1 · Score 9-31
    (7:58) 94-D.Peko and 77-A.Whitworth reported in as eligible. 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-J.Gresham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. CIN 84-Gresham 1st NFL TD.
12. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 22:54 · NE 2 · Score 10-31
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
13. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 15:28 · NE 28 · Score 16-31
    (:28) (No Huddle) 9-C.Palmer pass deep left to 85-C.Ochocinco for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CIN 85-Ochocinco 63rd career TD, tying Carl Pickens for franchise record.
14. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 15:22 · NE 2 · Score 17-31
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
15. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 7:45 · CIN 1 · Score 17-37
    (7:45) 63-D.Connolly reported in as eligible. 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Gronkowski for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. NE 87-Gronkowski 1st NFL TD.
16. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 7:41 · CIN 2 · Score 17-38
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
17. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 4:00 · NE 1 · Score 23-38
    (4:00) 77-A.Whitworth and 94-D.Peko reported in as eligible. 32-C.Benson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 3:57 · NE 2 · Score 24-38
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-Cl.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.