Game story
In Week 9 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-11-07, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 41–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -18.44 total EPA, and +9.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-35.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 41 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Mayfield · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +12.48 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 2 N. Chubb · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +9.42 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 3 D. Peoples-Jones · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +7.95 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.65 EPA/play
- 4 T. Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.81 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 5 J. Mixon · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 6 D. Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
- 7 D. Felton · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.61 EPA/play
- 8 D. Sample · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Mayfield — CLE · Passing
B. Mayfield posted the highest total EPA (+12.48) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 24 counted snaps, they averaged +0.52 EPA per play.
The signature play (-11.93 EPA) came from Cincinnati Bengals: (8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — D. Ward
- Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon
- Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb
- Cleveland Browns — D. Peoples-Jones (B. Mayfield pass)
- Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb
- Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon
- Cleveland Browns — D. Njoku (B. Mayfield pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — C. McLaughlin
- Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson
- Cleveland Browns — C. McLaughlin
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. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 53:43) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 11 (Q1 49:16) — (4:16) 28-J.Mixon left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 20 (Q1 49:10) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 17–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q2 44:53) — (14:53) 24-N.Chubb right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 44:45) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 60 (Q2 40:18) — (10:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 11-D.Peoples-Jones for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-B.Hill].; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 40:10) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 10 (Q2 34:14) — (4:14) 3-C.McLaughlin 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 9 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 2-E.McPherson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 10–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 70 (Q3 23:10) — (8:10) 24-N.Chubb left end for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 23:00) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 6 (Q3 20:17) — (5:17) 3-C.McLaughlin 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–6. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q4 13:54) — (13:54) 28-J.Mixon left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 85-D.Njoku for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-S.Hubbard].; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 4:27) — 3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 40:18) — (10:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 11-D.Peoples-Jones for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-B.Hill].
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 48:06) — (3:06) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 24-N.Chubb ran ob at CIN 38 for 23 yards.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 56:28) — (11:28) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins ran ob at CLE 22 for 20 yards.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 58:49) — (13:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 85-T.Higgins to CIN 36 for 11 yards (23-T.Hill).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 23:10) — (8:10) 24-N.Chubb left end for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 21:44) — (6:44) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 43-J.Johnson (21-D.Ward) at CIN 39. 43-J.Johnson to CIN 8 for 31 yards (71-R.Reiff).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 37:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short left to 1-J.Chase to CIN 44 for 5 yards (43-J.Johnson). FUMBLES (43-J.Johnson), RECOVERED by CLE-38-A.Green at CIN 46. 38-A.Green pushed ob at CIN 30 for 16 yard
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) · 48 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +9.3% CPOE · -0.38 EPA/play · -18.44 total EPA
- B.Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 24 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +14.4% CPOE · +0.52 EPA/play · +12.48 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.126 | -0.253 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.8% | 42.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.520 | -0.378 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.098 | -0.081 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.253 | -0.126 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.8% | 61.2% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Cleveland Browns generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.13 vs -0.25), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 12 drives, -22.80 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, +8.46 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Cleveland Browns leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) 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.
- B. Mayfield (CLE) 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.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 53:58 · CLE 3 · Score 6-0
(8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 53:43 · CIN 15 · Score 7-0
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 49:16 · CLE 11 · Score 7-6
(4:16) 28-J.Mixon left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 49:10 · CLE 20 · Score 7-7
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 44:53 · CIN 1 · Score 13-7
(14:53) 24-N.Chubb right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 44:45 · CIN 15 · Score 14-7
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 40:18 · CIN 60 · Score 20-7
(10:18) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 11-D.Peoples-Jones for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-B.Hill]. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 40:10 · CIN 15 · Score 21-7
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 34:14 · CIN 10 · Score 24-7
(4:14) 3-C.McLaughlin 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · CLE 9 · Score 24-10
(:05) 2-E.McPherson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 23:10 · CIN 70 · Score 30-10
(8:10) 24-N.Chubb left end for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 23:00 · CIN 15 · Score 31-10
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q3 20:17 · CIN 6 · Score 34-10
(5:17) 3-C.McLaughlin 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 13:54 · CLE 2 · Score 34-16
(13:54) 28-J.Mixon left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 4:31 · CIN 18 · Score 40-16
(4:31) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 85-D.Njoku for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-S.Hubbard]. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 4:27 · CIN 15 · Score 41-16
3-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals 41-16 in Week 9, 2021 on 2021-11-07.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 41, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (CLE 41-16 CIN) in Week 9, 2021 on 2021-11-07.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 7, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Q2: Cleveland Browns 17, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q3: Cleveland Browns 10, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: Cleveland Browns 7, Cincinnati Bengals 6; Final: Cleveland Browns 41, Cincinnati Bengals 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Ward (Q1 53:58) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Mixon (Q1 49:16) Cleveland Browns touchdown — N. Chubb (Q2 44:53) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Peoples-Jones (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 40:18) Cleveland Browns touchdown — N. Chubb (Q3 23:10) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Mixon (Q4 13:54) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Njoku (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 4:31) Cleveland Browns field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q2 34:14, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. McPherson (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q3 20:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals?
J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 58.3% completion, +9.3% CPOE, -0.38 EPA per dropback, -18.44 total passing EPA. B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns), 58.3% completion, +14.4% CPOE, +0.52 EPA per dropback, +12.48 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals?
B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +12.48 on passing plays. across 24 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-11.93 EPA): (8:58) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 1-J.Chase INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Ward at CLE 1. 21-D.Ward for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -35.2%.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 4-4 Now 5-4 W
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 5-3 Now 5-4 L
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