Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2008 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-20, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 27–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -3.29 total EPA, and -7.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.22 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (1:11) (Punt formation) 19-K.Larson punts 34 yards to PIT 39, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 14-L.Sweed MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CIN-93-R.Jeanty at PIT 39. 93-R.Jeanty to PIT 39 for no gain (14-L.Sweed). The

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 · +11.22 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
2. 2 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +8.27 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
3. 3 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.83 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
4. 4 G. Holt · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Henry · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
6. 6 G. Russell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
7. 7 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.60 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Caldwell · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.49 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.83 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 — G. Holt (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q1 48:13)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 40:23)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Russell (Q3 15:21)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger (Q4 2:22)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q2 31:56)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q3 23:22)
• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q4 6:50)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 10 (Q1 48:13) — (3:13) (Shotgun) 11-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 16-G.Holt for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 48:08) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 3 (Q2 40:23) — (10:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 40:16) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 19 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 20 (Q3 23:22) — (8:22) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 2 (Q3 15:21) — (:21) 33-G.Russell right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 15:16) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 8 (Q4 6:50) — (6:50) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 8 (Q4 2:22) — (2:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 2:15) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster..

Turning points

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) (Punt formation) 19-K.Larson punts 34 yards to PIT 39, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 14-L.Sweed MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CIN-93-R.Jeanty at PIT 39. 93-R.Jeanty to PIT 39 for no gain (14-L.Sweed). The [WPA +17.6% · EPA +2.83]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 33:54) — (3:54) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 10-S.Holmes to CIN 26 for 22 yards (29-L.Hall). [WPA +11.0% · EPA +2.51]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 30:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore to PIT 32 for -2 yards (97-J.Thornton). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -0.51]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 30:32) — (:32) (Shotgun) 11-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete short right to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh (22-W.Gay). [WPA -10.6% · EPA -1.89]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 41:30) — (11:30) (Run formation) 33-G.Russell left tackle to CIN 3 for 1 yard (59-B.Johnson; 68-J.Fanene). Official measurement. [WPA +8.0% · EPA +2.30]

Impact plays

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:22) — (2:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.5% · EPA +3.29]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 48:13) — (3:13) (Shotgun) 11-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 16-G.Holt for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.2% · EPA +3.17]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:41) — (:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle intended for 84-T.Houshmandzadeh INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PIT 2. 43-T.Polamalu to PIT 21 for 19 yards (53-E.Ghiaciuc). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -2.94]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) (Punt formation) 19-K.Larson punts 34 yards to PIT 39, Center-48-B.St. Louis. 14-L.Sweed MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CIN-93-R.Jeanty at PIT 39. 93-R.Jeanty to PIT 39 for no gain (14-L.Sweed). The [WPA +17.6% · EPA +2.83]

Quarterback report card

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

• R.Fitzpatrick (Cincinnati Bengals) · 38 dropbacks · 52.6% completion · -7.4% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.29 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 33 dropbacks · 51.5% completion · -7.7% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +11.22 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 (+0.12 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 13 drives, -8.42 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +9.72 total EPA, 5 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.
• R. Fitzpatrick (CIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) 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. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 48:13 · PIT 10 · Score 6-0
   (3:13) (Shotgun) 11-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 16-G.Holt for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 48:08 · 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) — Q2 40:23 · CIN 3 · Score 7-6
   (10:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 40:16 · CIN 2 · Score 7-7
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 31:56 · CIN 19 · Score 7-10
   (1:56) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 23:22 · CIN 20 · Score 7-13
   (8:22) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 15:21 · CIN 2 · Score 7-19
   (:21) 33-G.Russell right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 15:16 · CIN 2 · Score 7-20
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.
9. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 6:50 · PIT 8 · Score 10-20
   (6:50) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 2:22 · CIN 8 · Score 10-26
    (2:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 2:15 · CIN 2 · Score 10-27
    3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-5-P.Ernster.