Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2012 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-11-04, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 31–23 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +2.78 total EPA, and +0.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Manning (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.9% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (5:37) 18-P.Manning pass short middle intended for 87-E.Decker INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Newman at CIN -1. Touchback.

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 P. Manning · Denver Broncos · Passing · +16.06 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.47 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Gresham · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +6.17 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.31 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Dreessen · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +2.78 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Sanu · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 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

• Denver Broncos — E. Decker (P. Manning pass) (Q2 40:23)
• Denver Broncos — T. Holliday (Q3 30:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — A. Green (A. Dalton pass) (Q3 26:39)
• Cincinnati Bengals — B. Green-Ellis (Q4 14:19)
• Denver Broncos — J. Dreessen (P. Manning pass) (Q4 11:51)
• Denver Broncos — E. Decker (P. Manning pass) (Q4 3:41)

Field goals

• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q1 53:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q2 44:16)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q3 16:22)
• Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q4 0:56)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 25 (Q1 53:00) — (8:00) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 10 (Q2 44:16) — (14:16) 2-M.Nugent 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 13 (Q2 40:23) — (10:23) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 87-E.Decker for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 40:15) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 35 (Q3 30:00) — 2-M.Nugent kicks 70 yards from CIN 35 to DEN -5. 11-T.Holliday for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 29:49) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 10 (Q3 26:39) — (11:39) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 18-A.Green for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 26:33) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 31 (Q3 16:22) — (1:22) 2-M.Nugent 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–10. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q4 14:19) — (14:19) 42-B.Green-Ellis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 14:10) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 11:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 81-J.Dreessen for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 11:47) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q4 3:41); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 3:36) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 23 (Q4 0:56) — (:56) 2-M.Nugent 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Turning points

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

• Denver Broncos (Q3 20:37) — (5:37) 18-P.Manning pass short middle intended for 87-E.Decker INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Newman at CIN -1. Touchback. [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.35]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 30:00) — 2-M.Nugent kicks 70 yards from CIN 35 to DEN -5. 11-T.Holliday for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +6.99]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 15:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep right intended for 87-E.Decker INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Newman [22-N.Clements] at DEN 27. 23-T.Newman to DEN 27 for no gain (87-E.Decker). [WPA -13.9% · EPA -2.17]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 87-E.Decker to CIN 43 for 30 yards (96-C.Dunlap). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +2.57]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 11:59) — (11:59) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete deep left to 88-D.Thomas (24-A.Jones). PENALTY on CIN-24-A.Jones, Defensive Pass Interference, 29 yards, enforced at CIN 30 - No Play. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +2.60]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q3 30:00) — 2-M.Nugent kicks 70 yards from CIN 35 to DEN -5. 11-T.Holliday for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +6.99]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 20:37) — (5:37) 18-P.Manning pass short middle intended for 87-E.Decker INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Newman at CIN -1. Touchback. [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.35]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 42:07) — (12:07) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas to CIN 21 for 45 yards (33-C.Crocker). DEN-88-D.Thomas was injured during the play. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +3.45]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 28:03) — (13:03) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 84-J.Gresham to DEN 11 for 52 yards (24-C.Bailey). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +3.41]

Quarterback report card

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

• A.Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 52 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.4% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.78 total EPA
• P.Manning (Denver Broncos) · 37 dropbacks · 73.0% completion · +14.0% CPOE · +0.43 EPA/play · +16.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +8.26 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +19.50 total EPA, 5 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.
• P. Manning (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Manning (DEN) 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.

1. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 53:00 · CIN 25 · Score 3-0
   (8:00) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
2. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 44:16 · DEN 10 · Score 3-3
   (14:16) 2-M.Nugent 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 40:23 · CIN 13 · Score 9-3
   (10:23) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 87-E.Decker for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 40:15 · CIN 2 · Score 10-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · CIN 35 · Score 16-3
   2-M.Nugent kicks 70 yards from CIN 35 to DEN -5. 11-T.Holliday for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 29:49 · CIN 2 · Score 17-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
7. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 26:39 · DEN 10 · Score 17-9
   (11:39) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 18-A.Green for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 26:33 · DEN 2 · Score 17-10
   2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
9. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 16:22 · DEN 31 · Score 17-13
   (1:22) 2-M.Nugent 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
10. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 14:19 · DEN 2 · Score 17-19
    (14:19) 42-B.Green-Ellis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 14:10 · DEN 2 · Score 17-20
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 11:51 · CIN 1 · Score 23-20
    (11:51) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 81-J.Dreessen for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 11:47 · CIN 2 · Score 24-20
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
14. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 3:41 · CIN 4 · Score 30-20
    (3:41) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 87-E.Decker for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CIN-23-T.Newman, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
15. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 3:36 · CIN 2 · Score 31-20
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
16. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 0:56 · DEN 23 · Score 31-23
    (:56) 2-M.Nugent 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.