San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2003 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-14, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 41–38 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with +20.47 total EPA.

On the individual side, J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.47 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (11:00) 32-K.Barlow right guard to CIN 16 for -1 yards (94-T.Williams). FUMBLES (94-T.Williams), RECOVERED by CIN-56-B.Simmons at CIN 17. 56-B.Simmons to CIN 30 for 13 yards (5-J.Garcia).

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. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +20.47 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Kitna · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +11.49 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Owens · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +11.36 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +11.18 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
5. 5 Ru. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +9.25 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Streets · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +8.48 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Warrick · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +8.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +6.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.58 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

• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q1 50:37)
• Cincinnati Bengals — K. Hardy (Q2 43:12)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Owens (J. Garcia pass) (Q2 41:40)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Streets (J. Garcia pass) (Q2 37:38)
• Cincinnati Bengals — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 33:35)
• Cincinnati Bengals — unlisted player (Q3 26:50)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Garcia (Q4 13:05)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Barlow (Q4 3:55)
• Cincinnati Bengals — unlisted player (Q4 2:23)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Barlow (Q4 1:17)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — T. Peterson (Q2 30:03)
• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q3 16:57)
• Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q4 7:03)

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 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the SF 10 (Q1 50:37) — (5:37) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 50:27) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 17–14. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CIN 77 (Q2 43:12); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 43:03) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CIN 58 (Q2 41:40) — (11:40) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 41:30) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CIN 41 (Q2 37:38) — (7:38) 5-J.Garcia pass to 89-T.Streets for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 37:29) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the SF 31 (Q2 33:35) — (3:35) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 33:26); San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the CIN 5 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 2-T.Peterson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the SF 49 (Q3 26:50) — (11:50) 32-Ru.Johnson right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 26:41) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the SF 16 (Q3 16:57) — (1:57) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 21–10. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CIN 6 (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) 5-J.Garcia left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 12:59) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the SF 12 (Q4 7:03) — (7:03) 17-S.Graham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 3:55) — (3:55) 32-K.Barlow up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 3:49) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q4 2:23) — (2:23) 32-Ru.Johnson right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 2:18) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CIN 3 (Q4 1:17) — (1:17) (No Huddle) 32-K.Barlow left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 1:13) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) 32-K.Barlow right guard to CIN 16 for -1 yards (94-T.Williams). FUMBLES (94-T.Williams), RECOVERED by CIN-56-B.Simmons at CIN 17. 56-B.Simmons to CIN 30 for 13 yards (5-J.Garcia). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -5.78]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 26:50) — (11:50) 32-Ru.Johnson right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.8% · EPA +6.09]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 37:38) — (7:38) 5-J.Garcia pass to 89-T.Streets for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.4% · EPA +4.69]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:39) — (2:39) 32-Ru.Johnson right end pushed ob at SF 7 for 47 yards (53-J.Ulbrich). [WPA +9.1% · EPA +3.87]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 43:12) — (13:12) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia sacked at SF 15 for -8 yards (30-T.Roberts). FUMBLES (30-T.Roberts), RECOVERED by CIN-51-K.Hardy at SF 10. 51-K.Hardy for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by SF and Up [WPA -8.9% · EPA -5.72]

Impact plays

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 26:50) — (11:50) 32-Ru.Johnson right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.8% · EPA +6.09]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) 32-K.Barlow right guard to CIN 16 for -1 yards (94-T.Williams). FUMBLES (94-T.Williams), RECOVERED by CIN-56-B.Simmons at CIN 17. 56-B.Simmons to CIN 30 for 13 yards (5-J.Garcia). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -5.78]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 43:12) — (13:12) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia sacked at SF 15 for -8 yards (30-T.Roberts). FUMBLES (30-T.Roberts), RECOVERED by CIN-51-K.Hardy at SF 10. 51-K.Hardy for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by SF and Up [WPA -8.9% · EPA -5.72]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 41:40) — (11:40) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.6% · EPA +5.65]

Quarterback report card

J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) · 36 dropbacks · 72.2% completion · +0.57 EPA/play · +20.47 total EPA
• J.Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 28 dropbacks · 64.3% completion · +0.41 EPA/play · +11.49 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (San Francisco 49ers +0.30, Cincinnati Bengals +0.25) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 10 drives, +20.49 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 10 drives, +24.76 total EPA, 7 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) 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. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 50:37 · SF 10 · Score 0-6
   (5:37) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 50:27 · SF 2 · Score 0-7
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
3. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 43:12 · CIN 77 · Score 0-13
   (13:12) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia sacked at SF 15 for -8 yards (30-T.Roberts). FUMBLES (30-T.Roberts), RECOVERED by CIN-51-K.Hardy at SF 10. 51-K.Hardy for 10 yards,
4. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 43:03 · SF 2 · Score 0-14
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
5. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 41:40 · CIN 58 · Score 6-14
   (11:40) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 41:30 · CIN 2 · Score 7-14
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
7. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 37:38 · CIN 41 · Score 13-14
   (7:38) 5-J.Garcia pass to 89-T.Streets for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 37:29 · CIN 2 · Score 14-14
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
9. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 33:35 · SF 31 · Score 14-20
   (3:35) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 33:26 · SF 2 · Score 14-21
    17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson. PENALTY on SF, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
11. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · CIN 5 · Score 17-21
    (:03) 2-T.Peterson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
12. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 26:50 · SF 49 · Score 17-27
    (11:50) 32-Ru.Johnson right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 26:41 · SF 2 · Score 17-28
    17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
14. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 16:57 · SF 16 · Score 17-31
    (1:57) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
15. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 13:05 · CIN 6 · Score 23-31
    (13:05) 5-J.Garcia left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 12:59 · CIN 2 · Score 24-31
    2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
17. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 7:03 · SF 12 · Score 24-34
    (7:03) 17-S.Graham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
18. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 3:55 · CIN 1 · Score 30-34
    (3:55) 32-K.Barlow up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
19. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 3:49 · CIN 2 · Score 31-34
    2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
20. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 2:23 · SF 3 · Score 31-40
    (2:23) 32-Ru.Johnson right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 2:18 · SF 2 · Score 31-41
    17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.
22. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 1:17 · CIN 3 · Score 37-41
    (1:17) (No Huddle) 32-K.Barlow left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
23. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 1:13 · CIN 2 · Score 38-41
    2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.