Game story
In Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-21, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 27–17 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with -9.59 total EPA, and -8.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Claypool (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +2.82 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-13.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 2 G. Bernard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.67 EPA/play
- 3 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 4 A. McFarland · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.74 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 5 R. Finley · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +0.57 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 6 B. Snell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 7 T. Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.31 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
- 8 J. Samuels · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.03 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Claypool — PIT · Receiving
C. Claypool posted the highest total EPA (+2.82) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.20 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — G. Bernard
- Cincinnati Bengals — G. Bernard (R. Finley pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger
- Cincinnati Bengals — R. Finley
- Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Snell
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — A. Seibert
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Cincinnati Bengals — A. Seibert
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 3–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (Q1 50:16) — (5:16) 3-A.Seibert 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q2 42:10) — (12:10) 25-G.Bernard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 42:05) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q2 34:26); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 34:20) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 23 (Q3 27:11) — (12:11) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 27:07) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 7 (Q3 20:30) — (5:30) 9-C.Boswell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–7. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 23 (Q4 11:26) — (11:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 11:21) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 5:34) — (5:34) 24-B.Snell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 5:32) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 15 (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 3-A.Seibert 33 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.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:22) — (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 45:55) — (:55) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster (24-V.Bell). Cincinnati challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisbe
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 46:44) — (1:44) 3-A.Seibert 55 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 57:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 25-G.Bernard right end to CIN 29 for -5 yards (90-T.Watt).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Alexander at CIN 38. 21-M.Alexander ran ob at PIT 41 for 21 yards (18-Di.Johnson). PENALTY on
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:22) — (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Alexander at CIN 38. 21-M.Alexander ran ob at PIT 41 for 21 yards (18-Di.Johnson). PENALTY on
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 45:55) — (:55) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster (24-V.Bell). Cincinnati challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisbe
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 5:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short left to 18-Di.Johnson. PENALTY on CIN-22-W.Jackson III, Defensive Pass Interference, 11 yards, enforced at CIN 12 - No Play.
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) · 42 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · -8.8% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -9.59 total EPA
- R.Finley (Cincinnati Bengals) · 16 dropbacks · 43.8% completion · +1.3% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -0.86 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.215 | -0.110 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.7% | 40.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.228 | -0.054 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.357 | -0.141 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.110 | +0.215 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.7% | 59.3% |
By the numbers
Cincinnati Bengals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.11 vs -0.21), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 14 drives, -8.46 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -17.38 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Cincinnati Bengals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- C. Claypool (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 50:16 · PIT 16 · Score 0-3
(5:16) 3-A.Seibert 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 42:10 · PIT 4 · Score 0-9
(12:10) 25-G.Bernard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 42:05 · PIT 15 · Score 0-10
3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 34:26 · PIT 14 · Score 0-16
(4:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley pass short middle to 25-G.Bernard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-S.Tuitt]. PIT-51-A.Williamson was injured during the play. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 34:20 · PIT 15 · Score 0-17
3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 27:11 · CIN 23 · Score 6-17
(12:11) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 27:07 · CIN 15 · Score 7-17
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 20:30 · CIN 7 · Score 10-17
(5:30) 9-C.Boswell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 11:26 · PIT 23 · Score 10-23
(11:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 11:21 · PIT 15 · Score 10-24
3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 5:34 · CIN 1 · Score 16-24
(5:34) 24-B.Snell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 5:32 · CIN 15 · Score 17-24
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 0:16 · PIT 15 · Score 17-27
(:16) 3-A.Seibert 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Week 15, 2020 on 2020-12-21.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cincinnati Bengals 27 (PIT 17-27 CIN) in Week 15, 2020 on 2020-12-21.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cincinnati Bengals 14; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cincinnati Bengals 10; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cincinnati Bengals 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — G. Bernard (Q2 42:10) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — G. Bernard (R. Finley pass) (Q2 34:26) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Roethlisberger (Q3 27:11) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — R. Finley (Q4 11:26) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Snell (Q4 5:34) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — A. Seibert (Q1 50:16, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 20:30, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — A. Seibert (Q4 0:16, 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?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 47.6% completion, -8.8% CPOE, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -9.59 total passing EPA. R. Finley (Cincinnati Bengals), 43.8% completion, +1.3% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -0.86 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?
C. Claypool (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +2.82 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.20 EPA): (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20.. The biggest win-probability swing was -13.6%.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 11-2 Now 11-3 L
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 2-10 Now 3-10 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
