Game story
In Week 3 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-21, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +12.28 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+12.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (2:30) (Field Goal formation) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman pushed ob at CIN 9 for 23 yards (37-R.Myles). {Fake Field Goal}
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Maddox · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +12.28 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 2 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
- 3 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.02 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
- 4 J. Tuman · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.87 EPA/play
- 5 P. Warrick · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 6 C. Doering · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
- 7 A. Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
- 8 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Maddox — PIT · Passing
T. Maddox posted the highest total EPA (+12.28) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.34 EPA per play.
The signature play (-3.97 EPA) came from Cincinnati Bengals: (5:16) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 80-P.Warrick INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Gildon (30-C.Scott) at PIT 7. 92-J.Gildon to PIT 8 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, recovered by PIT-55-J.Porter at PIT 8. 55-J.Porter to PIT 8 for no gain (36-B.Be
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis
- Cincinnati Bengals — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass)
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 7 (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ward injured on the play, came off field on own power}; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 31:46) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 26 (Q3 25:09) — (10:09) 17-S.Graham 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q3 18:30) — (3:30) 36-J.Bettis right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 18:26) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 15 (Q4 13:42) — (13:42) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q4 5:59) — (5:59) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 5:54) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 32:30) — (2:30) (Field Goal formation) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman pushed ob at CIN 9 for 23 yards (37-R.Myles). {Fake Field Goal}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 50:16) — (5:16) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 80-P.Warrick INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Gildon (30-C.Scott) at PIT 7. 92-J.Gildon to PIT 8 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, recovered by PIT-55-J.Porter at PIT 8. 55-J.Porter to PIT 8
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:43) — (8:43) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:18) — (1:18) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna sacked at CIN 25 for -11 yards (97-K.Bell).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 58:38) — (13:38) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 83-C.Doering pushed ob at CIN 39 for 14 yards (20-M.Roman).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 50:16) — (5:16) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 80-P.Warrick INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Gildon (30-C.Scott) at PIT 7. 92-J.Gildon to PIT 8 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, recovered by PIT-55-J.Porter at PIT 8. 55-J.Porter to PIT 8
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:43) — (8:43) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 32:30) — (2:30) (Field Goal formation) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman pushed ob at CIN 9 for 23 yards (37-R.Myles). {Fake Field Goal}
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 27:33) — (12:33) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 83-C.Doering INTERCEPTED by 45-R.Beckett at CIN 44. 45-R.Beckett to PIT 45 for 11 yards (21-A.Zereoue).
Quarterback report card
T.Maddox led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 36 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +0.34 EPA/play · +12.28 total EPA
- J.Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 30 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · -0.13 EPA/play · -3.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.059 | -0.068 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.1% | 46.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.341 | -0.074 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.001 | -0.143 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.068 | -0.059 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.0% | 52.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 9 drives, -4.27 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 drives, +5.09 total EPA, 3 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.
- T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) 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.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:55 · CIN 7 · Score 6-0
(1:55) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. {Ward injured on the play, came off field on own power} - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:46 · CIN 2 · Score 7-0
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 25:09 · PIT 26 · Score 7-3
(10:09) 17-S.Graham 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 18:30 · CIN 1 · Score 13-3
(3:30) 36-J.Bettis right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 18:26 · CIN 2 · Score 14-3
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 13:42 · CIN 15 · Score 17-3
(13:42) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 5:59 · PIT 5 · Score 17-9
(5:59) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 5:54 · PIT 2 · Score 17-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10 in Week 3, 2003 on 2003-09-21.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cincinnati Bengals 10 (PIT 17-10 CIN) in Week 3, 2003 on 2003-09-21.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cincinnati Bengals 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass) (Q2 31:55) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q3 18:30) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass) (Q4 5:59) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q3 25:09, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 13:42, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers), 58.3% completion, +0.34 EPA per dropback, +12.28 total passing EPA. J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.3% completion, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -3.90 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +12.28 on passing plays. across 36 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-3.97 EPA): (5:16) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 80-P.Warrick INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Gildon (30-C.Scott) at PIT 7. 92-J.Gildon to PIT 8 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, recovered by PIT-55-J.Porter at PIT 8. 5. The biggest win-probability swing was +12.8%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L
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