New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2024 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-08, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 16–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -8.68 total EPA, and -0.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.67 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (13:56) 17-B.Baringer punts 54 yards to CIN 10, Center-49-J.Cardona. 15-C.Jones to CIN 20 for 10 yards (49-J.Cardona). FUMBLES (49-J.Cardona), RECOVERED by NE-21-J.Hawkins at CIN 24.

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 J. Chase · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.67 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
2. 2 Z. Moss · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +2.48 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Thornton · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
4. 4 H. Henry · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Brissett · New England Patriots · Passing · +1.34 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Hooper · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.26 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Burrow · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +0.40 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Polk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +0.16 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.16 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

• New England Patriots — R. Stevenson (Q2 45:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — Z. Moss (Q3 16:13)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — J. Slye (Q2 30:02)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)
• New England Patriots — J. Slye (Q3 26:37)
• New England Patriots — J. Slye (Q4 8:50)
• Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson (Q4 6:18)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CIN 3 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 70-C.Wallace reported in as eligible. 38-R.Stevenson right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 44:58) — 13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CIN 14 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 13-J.Slye 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CIN 17 (Q3 26:37) — (11:37) 13-J.Slye 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q3 16:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 31-Z.Moss right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 16:10) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CIN 18 (Q4 8:50) — (8:50) 13-J.Slye 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NE 33 (Q4 6:18) — (6:18) 2-E.McPherson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 28:56) — (13:56) 17-B.Baringer punts 54 yards to CIN 10, Center-49-J.Cardona. 15-C.Jones to CIN 20 for 10 yards (49-J.Cardona). FUMBLES (49-J.Cardona), RECOVERED by NE-21-J.Hawkins at CIN 24. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +5.49]
• New England Patriots (Q1 49:34) — (4:34) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short middle to 3-D.Douglas to CIN 40 for 9 yards (20-D.Turner) [91-T.Hendrickson]. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +2.08]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 35:19) — (5:19) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 87-T.Hudson to NE 2 for 13 yards (23-K.Dugger). FUMBLES (23-K.Dugger), RECOVERED by NE-25-M.Jones at NE 1. 25-M.Jones to NE 18 for 17 yards (1-J.Chase, [WPA -7.0% · EPA -3.70]
• New England Patriots (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 70-C.Wallace reported in as eligible. 38-R.Stevenson right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.9% · EPA +2.33]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 7:05) — (7:05) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow sacked at NE 33 for -2 yards (99-K.White). [WPA -5.5% · EPA -1.79]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 28:56) — (13:56) 17-B.Baringer punts 54 yards to CIN 10, Center-49-J.Cardona. 15-C.Jones to CIN 20 for 10 yards (49-J.Cardona). FUMBLES (49-J.Cardona), RECOVERED by NE-21-J.Hawkins at CIN 24. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +5.49]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 35:19) — (5:19) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 87-T.Hudson to NE 2 for 13 yards (23-K.Dugger). FUMBLES (23-K.Dugger), RECOVERED by NE-25-M.Jones at NE 1. 25-M.Jones to NE 18 for 17 yards (1-J.Chase, [WPA -7.0% · EPA -3.70]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 22:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 80-A.Iosivas to NE 35 for 1 yard (31-J.Jones). [WPA -3.5% · EPA -3.07]
• New England Patriots (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 70-C.Wallace reported in as eligible. 38-R.Stevenson right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.9% · EPA +2.33]

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) · 38 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · -0.1% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -8.68 total EPA
• J.Brissett (New England Patriots) · 29 dropbacks · 51.7% completion · +1.1% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +1.34 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.08 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 8 drives, -2.34 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 10 drives, +6.30 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots 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.
• J. Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) 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.

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · CIN 3 · Score 6-0
   (15:00) 70-C.Wallace reported in as eligible. 38-R.Stevenson right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 44:58 · CIN 15 · Score 7-0
   13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · CIN 14 · Score 10-0
   (:02) 13-J.Slye 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
4. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 10-0
   END QUARTER 2
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 26:37 · CIN 17 · Score 13-0
   (11:37) 13-J.Slye 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
6. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 16:13 · NE 5 · Score 13-6
   (1:13) (Shotgun) 31-Z.Moss right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 16:10 · NE 15 · Score 13-7
   2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.
8. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 8:50 · CIN 18 · Score 16-7
   (8:50) 13-J.Slye 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
9. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 6:18 · NE 33 · Score 16-10
   (6:18) 2-E.McPherson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-C.Adomitis, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.