Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2009 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-12-20, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 37–36 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +23.91 total EPA, and +5.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+50.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 17-M.Wallace for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.

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 · +23.91 total EPA · 60 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +21.64 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
3. 3 G. Jennings · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +8.58 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Wallace · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.84 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.96 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Finley · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +7.56 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
6. 6 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.99 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
7. 7 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.88 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Mendenhall · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.24 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.87 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

• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 59:28)
• Green Bay Packers — G. Jennings (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 55:08)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall (Q1 48:52)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Rodgers (Q2 33:10)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Moore (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:30)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Finley (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 13:35)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Grant (Q4 7:58)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Jones (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 2:12)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 0:03)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q3 19:40)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 9:49)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 4:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the GB 60 (Q1 59:28) — (14:28) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 59:18) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the PIT 83 (Q1 55:08) — (10:08) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 85-G.Jennings for 83 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 54:56) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the GB 2 (Q1 48:52) — (3:52) #64 Legursky reports as eligible receiver. 34-R.Mendenhall right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 48:47) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q2 33:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles left guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 33:04) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the GB 10 (Q2 30:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 30:26) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the GB 19 (Q3 19:40) — (4:40) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 22–13. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q4 13:35); Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 13:30) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the GB 16 (Q4 9:49) — (9:49) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the PIT 24 (Q4 7:58) — (7:58) 25-R.Grant left guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 7:49) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the GB 25 (Q4 4:03) — (4:03) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the PIT 24 (Q4 2:12) — (2:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 89-J.Jones for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers registered a safety from the PIT 2 (Q4 2:06) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Rodgers pass to 32-B.Jackson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the GB 19 (Q4 0:03); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 0:00) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

Turning points

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 17-M.Wallace for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +50.2% · EPA +4.97]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:00) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. [WPA +26.1% · EPA +0.02]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 2:12) — (2:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 89-J.Jones for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.7% · EPA +4.72]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 6:27) — (6:27) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 86-H.Ward to GB 23 for 54 yards (24-J.Bush). [WPA +22.8% · EPA +4.14]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 10-S.Holmes to GB 46 for 32 yards (26-J.Bell). [WPA +19.6% · EPA +1.81]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q1 55:08) — (10:08) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 85-G.Jennings for 83 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +8.09]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 17-M.Wallace for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +50.2% · EPA +4.97]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 59:28) — (14:28) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +4.79]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 2:12) — (2:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 89-J.Jones for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.7% · EPA +4.72]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 60 dropbacks · 48.3% completion · +5.3% CPOE · +0.40 EPA/play · +23.91 total EPA
• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 52 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -4.2% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +21.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Green Bay Packers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs +0.21), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Green Bay Packers: 12 drives, +22.69 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +20.70 total EPA, 7 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• A. Rodgers (GB) 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. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 59:28 · GB 60 · Score 0-6
   (14:28) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 59:18 · GB 2 · Score 0-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
3. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 55:08 · PIT 83 · Score 6-7
   (10:08) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 85-G.Jennings for 83 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 54:56 · PIT 2 · Score 7-7
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 48:52 · GB 2 · Score 7-13
   (3:52) #64 Legursky reports as eligible receiver. 34-R.Mendenhall right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 48:47 · GB 2 · Score 7-14
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
7. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 33:10 · PIT 14 · Score 13-14
   (3:10) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles left guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 33:04 · PIT 2 · Score 14-14
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:30 · GB 10 · Score 14-20
   (:30) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:26 · GB 2 · Score 14-21
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 19:40 · GB 19 · Score 14-24
    (4:40) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
12. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 13:35 · PIT 11 · Score 20-24
    (13:35) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 88-J.Finley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-23-T.Carter, Defensive Holding, declined.
13. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 13:30 · PIT 2 · Score 21-24
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 9:49 · GB 16 · Score 21-27
    (9:49) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
15. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 7:58 · PIT 24 · Score 27-27
    (7:58) 25-R.Grant left guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 7:49 · PIT 2 · Score 28-27
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-7-J.Kapinos.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 4:03 · GB 25 · Score 28-30
    (4:03) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
18. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 2:12 · PIT 24 · Score 34-30
    (2:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 89-J.Jones for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Green Bay Packers Safety (+2) — Q4 2:06 · PIT 2 · Score 36-30
    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Rodgers pass to 32-B.Jackson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 0:03 · GB 19 · Score 36-36
    (:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 17-M.Wallace for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the p
21. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 0:00 · GB 2 · Score 36-37
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.