Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2004 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-10-03, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 28–17 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -9.65 total EPA.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.93 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-21.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (2:19) 9-C.Palmer pass intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at CIN 26. 43-T.Polamalu for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +8.93 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +6.71 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +5.58 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
4. 4 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Perry · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
8. 8 A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.12 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

• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Johnson (C. Palmer pass) (Q1 54:09)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q1 50:56)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — V. Haynes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 44:19)
• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Johnson (Q3 23:40)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q4 9:06)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Polamalu (Q4 2:19)

Field goals

• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q2 36:54)

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. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q1 54:09) — (9:09) #76 Jones is eligible receiver 9-C.Palmer pass to 31-J.Johnson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 53:36) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 2 (Q1 50:56) — (5:56) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 50:53) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 11 (Q2 44:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 34-V.Haynes for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 44:13) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (Q2 36:54) — (6:54) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q3 23:40) — (8:40) 32-R.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 23:35) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 9:06) — (9:06) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 9:03) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 80 (Q4 2:19) — (2:19) 9-C.Palmer pass intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at CIN 26. 43-T.Polamalu for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 2:03) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Turning points

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:19) — (2:19) 9-C.Palmer pass intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at CIN 26. 43-T.Polamalu for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.4% · EPA -7.72]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:48) — (11:48) 22-D.Staley right end to PIT 31 for 12 yards (24-D.O'Neal). FUMBLES (24-D.O'Neal), RECOVERED by CIN-58-C.Miller at PIT 27. 58-C.Miller to PIT 27 for no gain (35-D.Kreider). [WPA -15.4% · EPA -4.48]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 22:25) — (7:25) 22-D.Staley up the middle to PIT 47 for 5 yards (92-D.Clemons). FUMBLES (92-D.Clemons), RECOVERED by CIN-40-M.Williams at CIN 49. 40-M.Williams to CIN 49 for no gain (85-J.Riemersma). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -4.20]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 20:20) — (5:20) 33-K.Watson right end to PIT 32 for no gain (50-L.Foote). FUMBLES (50-L.Foote), RECOVERED by PIT-51-J.Farrior at PIT 32. 51-J.Farrior to PIT 32 for no gain (65-E.Steinbach). [WPA -14.1% · EPA -4.37]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 9:42) — (9:42) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to 80-P.Burress. PENALTY on CIN-20-T.James, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at CIN 22 - No Play. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +2.81]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:19) — (2:19) 9-C.Palmer pass intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at CIN 26. 43-T.Polamalu for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.4% · EPA -7.72]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:48) — (11:48) 22-D.Staley right end to PIT 31 for 12 yards (24-D.O'Neal). FUMBLES (24-D.O'Neal), RECOVERED by CIN-58-C.Miller at PIT 27. 58-C.Miller to PIT 27 for no gain (35-D.Kreider). [WPA -15.4% · EPA -4.48]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 20:20) — (5:20) 33-K.Watson right end to PIT 32 for no gain (50-L.Foote). FUMBLES (50-L.Foote), RECOVERED by PIT-51-J.Farrior at PIT 32. 51-J.Farrior to PIT 32 for no gain (65-E.Steinbach). [WPA -14.1% · EPA -4.37]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 22:25) — (7:25) 22-D.Staley up the middle to PIT 47 for 5 yards (92-D.Clemons). FUMBLES (92-D.Clemons), RECOVERED by CIN-40-M.Williams at CIN 49. 40-M.Williams to CIN 49 for no gain (85-J.Riemersma). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -4.20]

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) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.24 EPA/play · -9.65 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 28 dropbacks · 60.7% completion · +0.32 EPA/play · +8.93 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 12 drives, -6.79 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +1.92 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 54:09 · PIT 2 · Score 6-0
   (9:09) #76 Jones is eligible receiver 9-C.Palmer pass to 31-J.Johnson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 53:36 · PIT 2 · Score 7-0
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 50:56 · CIN 2 · Score 7-6
   (5:56) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 50:53 · CIN 2 · Score 7-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 44:19 · CIN 11 · Score 7-13
   (14:19) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 34-V.Haynes for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 44:13 · CIN 2 · Score 7-14
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
7. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 36:54 · PIT 16 · Score 10-14
   (6:54) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
8. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 23:40 · PIT 2 · Score 16-14
   (8:40) 32-R.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 23:35 · PIT 2 · Score 17-14
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 9:06 · CIN 1 · Score 17-20
    (9:06) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 9:03 · CIN 2 · Score 17-21
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 2:19 · PIT 80 · Score 17-27
    (2:19) 9-C.Palmer pass intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at CIN 26. 43-T.Polamalu for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 2:03 · CIN 2 · Score 17-28
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.