Game story
In Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season on 2025-01-04, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 19–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -0.95 total EPA, and +8.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.88 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-19.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (:24) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson sacked at PIT 40 for -5 yards (91-T.Hendrickson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Freiermuth · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.88 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 2 T. Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 3 M. Williams · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.04 EPA/play
- 4 J. Chase · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 5 T. Hudson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.66 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.66 EPA/play
- 6 C. Grandy · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 7 M. Gesicki · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.70 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 8 N. Harris · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Freiermuth — PIT · Receiving
P. Freiermuth posted the highest total EPA (+3.88) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.69 EPA) came from Cincinnati Bengals: (2:59) 8-R.Rehkow punts 57 yards to PIT 24, Center-48-C.Adomitis. 19-C.Austin to PIT 31 for 7 yards (50-S.Heyward). FUMBLES (50-S.Heyward), RECOVERED by CIN-59-A.Davis-Gaither at PIT 33.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — N. Harris
- Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Freiermuth (R. Wilson pass)
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. York
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. York
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. York
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. York
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
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 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 12 (Q1 54:53) — (9:53) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 1-J.Chase for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 54:49) — 3-C.York extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 30 (Q1 46:29) — (1:29) 3-C.York 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q2 39:57) — (9:57) 74-S.Anderson reported in as eligible. 22-N.Harris left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 39:54) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-8-C.Waitman.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 9 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) 3-C.York 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 3–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 17 (Q3 22:01) — (7:01) 3-C.York 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 5 (Q4 11:06); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 19 (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 88-P.Freiermuth for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 8:07) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-8-C.Waitman.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 36 (Q4 2:44) — (2:44) 9-C.Boswell 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-8-C.Waitman..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson sacked at PIT 40 for -5 yards (91-T.Hendrickson).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 8-R.Rehkow punts 42 yards to PIT 18, Center-48-C.Adomitis. 19-C.Austin to PIT 24 for 6 yards (48-C.Adomitis).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 5:25) — (5:25) 8-C.Waitman punts 35 yards to CIN 45, Center-46-C.Kuntz. 38-D.Ivey MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by PIT-83-Co.Heyward at CIN 38.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 32:59) — (2:59) 8-R.Rehkow punts 57 yards to PIT 24, Center-48-C.Adomitis. 19-C.Austin to PIT 31 for 7 yards (50-S.Heyward). FUMBLES (50-S.Heyward), RECOVERED by CIN-59-A.Davis-Gaither at PIT 33.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:15) — (:15) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short right to 88-P.Freiermuth.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 32:59) — (2:59) 8-R.Rehkow punts 57 yards to PIT 24, Center-48-C.Adomitis. 19-C.Austin to PIT 31 for 7 yards (50-S.Heyward). FUMBLES (50-S.Heyward), RECOVERED by CIN-59-A.Davis-Gaither at PIT 33.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 5:25) — (5:25) 8-C.Waitman punts 35 yards to CIN 45, Center-46-C.Kuntz. 38-D.Ivey MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by PIT-83-Co.Heyward at CIN 38.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 31-B.Bishop (6-P.Queen) at PIT 17. 31-B.Bishop to PIT 17 for no gain (1-J.Chase).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 36:37) — (6:37) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass incomplete short left to 88-M.Gesicki (97-Ca.Heyward).
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) · 52 dropbacks · 71.2% completion · +8.2% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.95 total EPA
- R.Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -9.4% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -1.91 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.058 | -0.003 |
| Offensive success rate | 52.8% | 43.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.018 | -0.048 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.003 | -0.264 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.003 | -0.058 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.6% | 47.2% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Cincinnati Bengals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.00), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +5.20 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, -0.20 total EPA, 3 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.
- P. Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) 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.
- R. Wilson (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.
- Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 54:53 · PIT 12 · Score 6-0
(9:53) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 1-J.Chase for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 54:49 · PIT 15 · Score 7-0
3-C.York extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 46:29 · PIT 30 · Score 10-0
(1:29) 3-C.York 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 39:57 · CIN 1 · Score 10-6
(9:57) 74-S.Anderson reported in as eligible. 22-N.Harris left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 39:54 · CIN 15 · Score 10-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-8-C.Waitman. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 30:18 · PIT 9 · Score 13-7
(:18) 3-C.York 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 22:01 · PIT 17 · Score 16-7
(7:01) 3-C.York 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 11:06 · PIT 5 · Score 19-7
(11:06) 3-C.York 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow. ** Injury Update: CIN-61-C.Ford has returned to the game. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 8:12 · CIN 19 · Score 19-13
(8:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 88-P.Freiermuth for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 8:07 · CIN 15 · Score 19-14
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-8-C.Waitman. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 2:44 · CIN 36 · Score 19-17
(2:44) 9-C.Boswell 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-8-C.Waitman.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-17 in Week 18, 2024 on 2025-01-04.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 19, Pittsburgh Steelers 17 (CIN 19-17 PIT) in Week 18, 2024 on 2025-01-04.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 19, Pittsburgh Steelers 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass) (Q1 54:53) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — N. Harris (Q2 39:57) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Freiermuth (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 8:12) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — C. York (Q1 46:29, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — C. York (Q2 30:18, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — C. York (Q3 22:01, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — C. York (Q4 11:06, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 2:44, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 71.2% completion, +8.2% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.95 total passing EPA. R. Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers), 42.5% completion, -9.4% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -1.91 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
P. Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +3.88 on receiving plays. across 11 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.69 EPA): (2:59) 8-R.Rehkow punts 57 yards to PIT 24, Center-48-C.Adomitis. 19-C.Austin to PIT 31 for 7 yards (50-S.Heyward). FUMBLES (50-S.Heyward), RECOVERED by CIN-59-A.Davis-Gaither at P. The biggest win-probability swing was -19.2%.
Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Cincinnati Bengals won 19-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 8-8 Now 9-8 W
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 10-6 Now 10-7 L
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