Game story
In Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-09-13, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 12–7 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -2.09 total EPA, and -1.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D. Graham (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.16 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+66.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-B.Stokley for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ball was intentended for B.Marshall, tipped up by L.Hall}
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Graham · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.16 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
- 2 C. Ochocinco · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 3 B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 4 C. Henry · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
- 5 T. Scheffler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 6 B. Leonard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.61 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 7 B. Leonard · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +1.52 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 8 C. Buckhalter · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.33 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Graham — DEN · Receiving
D. Graham posted the highest total EPA (+4.16) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +1.39 EPA per play.
The signature play (+7.06 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-B.Stokley for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ball was intentended for B.Marshall, tipped up by L.Hall}
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — C. Benson
- Denver Broncos — B. Stokley (K. Orton pass)
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — M. Prater
- Denver Broncos — M. Prater
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 30 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-1-B.Kern..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 32 (Q3 15:19) — (:19) 5-M.Prater 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-1-B.Kern..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–6. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q4 0:41) — (:41) 32-C.Benson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 0:38) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CIN 30 (Q4 0:38) — 17-S.Graham kicks 74 yards from CIN 30 to DEN -4. 19-E.Royal to DEN 13 for 17 yards (58-R.Maualuga).; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 87 (Q4 0:28).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-B.Stokley for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ball was intentended for B.Marshall, tipped up by L.Hall}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 46:51) — (1:51) (Field Goal formation) 10-K.Huber FUMBLES (Aborted) at DEN 10, and recovers at DEN 44. 10-K.Huber to DEN 44 for no gain (54-A.Davis). {High snap}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass deep middle intended for 15-C.Henry INTERCEPTED by 88-T.Scheffler at DEN 10. 88-T.Scheffler to DEN 15 for 5 yards (87-A.Caldwell).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 24:27) — (9:27) 9-C.Palmer sacked at DEN 49 for -10 yards (57-M.Haggan).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 40-B.Leonard to DEN 14 for 18 yards (20-B.Dawkins).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-B.Stokley for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ball was intentended for B.Marshall, tipped up by L.Hall}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 46:51) — (1:51) (Field Goal formation) 10-K.Huber FUMBLES (Aborted) at DEN 10, and recovers at DEN 44. 10-K.Huber to DEN 44 for no gain (54-A.Davis). {High snap}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 36:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 85-C.Ochocinco INTERCEPTED by 59-W.Woodyard (24-C.Bailey) at DEN 20. 59-W.Woodyard to DEN 20 for no gain (85-C.Ochocinco). {Pass tipped up by
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 50:16) — (5:16) 40-B.Leonard right end to DEN 37 for 5 yards (32-L.Jordan). {Wildcat formation}
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) · 39 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · -1.1% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.09 total EPA
- K.Orton (Denver Broncos) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -1.4% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.22 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.044 | -0.121 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.7% | 43.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.035 | -0.054 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.116 | -0.311 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.121 | +0.044 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.4% | 62.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, -9.45 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, -3.02 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos 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.
- D. Graham (Denver Broncos) 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.
- Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · CIN 30 · Score 3-0
(:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 15:19 · CIN 32 · Score 6-0
(:19) 5-M.Prater 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 0:41 · DEN 1 · Score 6-6
(:41) 32-C.Benson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 0:38 · DEN 2 · Score 6-7
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+7) — Q4 0:38 · CIN 30 · Score 6-7
17-S.Graham kicks 74 yards from CIN 30 to DEN -4. 19-E.Royal to DEN 13 for 17 yards (58-R.Maualuga). - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 0:28 · CIN 87 · Score 12-7
(:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-B.Stokley for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ball was intentended for B.Marshall, tipped up by L.Hall}
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 12-7 in Week 1, 2009 on 2009-09-13.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was Denver Broncos 12, Cincinnati Bengals 7 (DEN 12-7 CIN) in Week 1, 2009 on 2009-09-13.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q2: Denver Broncos 3, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q3: Denver Broncos 3, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: Denver Broncos 6, Cincinnati Bengals 14; Final: Denver Broncos 12, Cincinnati Bengals 7.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Benson (Q4 0:41) Denver Broncos touchdown — B. Stokley (K. Orton pass) (Q4 0:28) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 30:04, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q3 15:19, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.8% completion, -1.1% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -2.09 total passing EPA. K. Orton (Denver Broncos), 48.6% completion, -1.4% CPOE, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -1.22 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
D. Graham (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +4.16 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+7.06 EPA): (:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-B.Stokley for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ball was intentended for B.Marshall, tipped up by L.Hall}. The biggest win-probability swing was +66.8%.
Was Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Denver Broncos won 12-7 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Now 1-0 W
Cincinnati Bengals
Now 0-1 L
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