Cincinnati Bengals vs. New Orleans Saints: 2022 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season on 2022-10-16, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 30–26 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +14.31 total EPA, and +6.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+39.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (2:10) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 1-J.Chase for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 50

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. Burrow · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +14.31 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Chase · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +9.24 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.20 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.73 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Boyd · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.13 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Shaheed · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.37 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.37 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Johnson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.18 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Mixon · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +2.31 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Dalton · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +2.24 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.07 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 Orleans Saints — T. Smith (A. Dalton pass) (Q1 55:39)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon (J. Burrow pass) (Q1 45:51)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Shaheed (Q2 43:49)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Burrow (Q2 35:53)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass) (Q3 18:36)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass) (Q4 2:10)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 40:32)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 30:05)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 30:01)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q3 22:16)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q4 11:11)
• Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson (Q4 3:47)

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 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q1 55:39) — (10:39) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 10-T.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 3; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 55:33) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 9 (Q1 45:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 28-J.Mixon for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 5; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 45:45) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 16–13. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 44 (Q2 43:49) — (13:49) 89-R.Shaheed right end for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 43:39) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 16 (Q2 40:32) — (10:32) 3-W.Lutz 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 19 (Q2 35:53) — (5:53) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow scrambles left guard for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q2 35:44) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 12 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 3-W.Lutz 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q2 30:01) — 3-W.Lutz kicks 45 yards from NO 35 to CIN 20. 86-D.Asiasi to CIN 34 for 14 yards (31-B.Thompson; 53-Z.Baun)..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 19 (Q3 22:16) — (7:16) 3-W.Lutz 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q3 18:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 1-J.Chase for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 18:30) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 9–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 13 (Q4 11:11) — (11:11) 3-W.Lutz 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (Q4 3:47) — (3:47) 2-E.McPherson 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 60 (Q4 2:10) — (2:10) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 1-J.Chase for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 50.

Turning points

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:10) — (2:10) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 1-J.Chase for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 50 [WPA +39.9% · EPA +5.12]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete deep right to 1-M.Callaway. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -0.37]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 5:55) — (5:55) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow sacked at NO 31 for -7 yards (56-D.Davis). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -1.43]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 43:49) — (13:49) 89-R.Shaheed right end for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.7% · EPA +4.37]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:16) — (2:16) 4-B.Gillikin punts 29 yards to CIN 40, Center-49-Z.Wood, out of bounds. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -1.35]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:10) — (2:10) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 1-J.Chase for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 50 [WPA +39.9% · EPA +5.12]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 57:12) — (12:12) 4-B.Gillikin punts 59 yards to CIN 8, Center-49-Z.Wood. 11-T.Taylor to CIN 23 for 15 yards (50-A.Dowell). FUMBLES (50-A.Dowell), RECOVERED by NO-82-A.Trautman at CIN 32. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +5.04]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 43:49) — (13:49) 89-R.Shaheed right end for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.7% · EPA +4.37]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 26:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 83-J.Johnson to NO 32 for 9 yards (59-A.Davis-Gaither). PENALTY on CIN-91-T.Hendrickson, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at NO 32. Pass 9, YAC [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.77]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) · 45 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +6.4% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +14.31 total EPA
• A.Dalton (New Orleans Saints) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -7.5% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.24 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 (+0.21 vs +0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 10 drives, +15.23 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +9.73 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Burrow (CIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• A. Dalton (NO) 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. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 55:39 · CIN 18 · Score 0-6
   (10:39) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 10-T.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 3
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 55:33 · CIN 15 · Score 0-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
3. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 45:51 · NO 9 · Score 6-7
   (:51) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 28-J.Mixon for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 5
4. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 45:45 · NO 15 · Score 7-7
   2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 43:49 · CIN 44 · Score 7-13
   (13:49) 89-R.Shaheed right end for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 43:39 · CIN 15 · Score 7-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 40:32 · CIN 16 · Score 7-17
   (10:32) 3-W.Lutz 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
8. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 35:53 · NO 19 · Score 13-17
   (5:53) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow scrambles left guard for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+7) — Q2 35:44 · NO 15 · Score 14-17
   2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber.
10. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · CIN 12 · Score 14-20
    (:05) 3-W.Lutz 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
11. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:01 · NO 35 · Score 14-20
    3-W.Lutz kicks 45 yards from NO 35 to CIN 20. 86-D.Asiasi to CIN 34 for 14 yards (31-B.Thompson; 53-Z.Baun).
12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 22:16 · CIN 19 · Score 14-23
    (7:16) 3-W.Lutz 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
13. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 18:36 · NO 15 · Score 20-23
    (3:36) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 1-J.Chase for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 18:30 · NO 15 · Score 21-23
    2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber.
15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 11:11 · CIN 13 · Score 21-26
    (11:11) 3-W.Lutz 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
16. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 3:47 · NO 34 · Score 24-26
    (3:47) 2-E.McPherson 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-10-K.Huber.
17. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 2:10 · NO 60 · Score 30-26
    (2:10) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 1-J.Chase for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 50