Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2018 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-10-28, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 37–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -4.79 total EPA, and -8.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.02 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (:05) 4-R.Bullock 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. Penalty on TB-92-W.Gholston, Unnecessary Roughness, declined.

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 R. Fitzpatrick · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +13.02 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Boyd · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +11.39 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +9.05 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 O. Howard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +7.40 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.12 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Franks · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.72 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Barber · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +1.33 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Jackson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.17 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.15 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 — J. Mixon (Q1 48:06)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Boyd (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 40:07)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Mixon (Q2 35:11)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — D. Jackson (J. Winston pass) (Q2 34:43)
• Cincinnati Bengals — A. Green (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 32:38)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — P. Barber (Q3 24:21)
• Cincinnati Bengals — J. Bates (Q3 17:17)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 10:07)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — O. Howard (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 1:10)

Field goals

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Catanzaro (Q2 30:06)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Catanzaro (Q4 12:59)
• Cincinnati Bengals — R. Bullock (Q4 0:05)

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 TB 1 (Q1 48:06) — (3:06) (Shotgun) 28-J.Mixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 48:04) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 20–9. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the TB 9 (Q2 40:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 83-T.Boyd for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 40:04) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the TB 8 (Q2 35:11) — (5:11) 28-J.Mixon right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 35:07) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CIN 60 (Q2 34:43) — (4:43) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle to 11-D.Jackson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the TB 17 (Q2 32:38) — (2:38) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left to 18-A.Green for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CIN 7 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 7-C.Catanzaro 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q3 24:21) — (9:21) 25-P.Barber right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 24:18) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CIN 90 (Q3 17:17); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 17:10) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 18–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CIN 20 (Q4 12:59) — (12:59) 7-C.Catanzaro 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CIN 72 (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 13-M.Evans for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 9:57) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CIN 18 (Q4 1:10) — (1:10) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers registered a safety from the CIN 2 (Q4 1:05) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass to 12-C.Godwin is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the TB 26 (Q4 0:05).

Turning points

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

• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 4-R.Bullock 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. Penalty on TB-92-W.Gholston, Unnecessary Roughness, declined. [WPA +21.7% · EPA +0.65]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 52:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 36-S.Williams at CIN -4. 36-S.Williams pushed ob at CIN 25 for 29 yards (12-C.Godwin). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.91]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 45:12) — (:12) 3-J.Winston pass short middle intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 52-P.Brown (94-S.Hubbard) at CIN 24. 52-P.Brown pushed ob at CIN 42 for 18 yards (10-A.Humphries). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -6.45]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 1:05) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass to 12-C.Godwin is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +1.05]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle to 18-A.Green to TB 41 for 23 yards (21-J.Evans). [WPA +13.6% · EPA +0.70]

Impact plays

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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 13-M.Evans for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.2% · EPA +6.67]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 45:12) — (:12) 3-J.Winston pass short middle intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 52-P.Brown (94-S.Hubbard) at CIN 24. 52-P.Brown pushed ob at CIN 42 for 18 yards (10-A.Humphries). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -6.45]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 52:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 36-S.Williams at CIN -4. 36-S.Williams pushed ob at CIN 25 for 29 yards (12-C.Godwin). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.91]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 17:17) — (2:17) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short right intended for 10-A.Humphries INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Bates at TB 21. 30-J.Bates for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -5.5% · EPA -5.61]

Quarterback report card

J.Winston led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 44 dropbacks · 40.9% completion · -8.1% CPOE · -0.11 EPA/play · -4.79 total EPA
• A.Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -0.5% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +9.05 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 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.05, Cincinnati Bengals +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 14 drives, +6.57 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, +5.61 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.
• R. Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Winston (TB) 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. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 48:06 · TB 1 · Score 0-6
   (3:06) (Shotgun) 28-J.Mixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 48:04 · TB 15 · Score 0-7
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
3. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 40:07 · TB 9 · Score 0-13
   (10:07) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 83-T.Boyd for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 40:04 · TB 15 · Score 0-14
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
5. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 35:11 · TB 8 · Score 0-20
   (5:11) 28-J.Mixon right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 35:07 · TB 15 · Score 0-21
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 34:43 · CIN 60 · Score 6-21
   (4:43) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle to 11-D.Jackson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 32:38 · TB 17 · Score 6-27
   (2:38) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left to 18-A.Green for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · CIN 7 · Score 9-27
   (:06) 7-C.Catanzaro 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 24:21 · CIN 1 · Score 15-27
    (9:21) 25-P.Barber right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 24:18 · CIN 15 · Score 16-27
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
12. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 17:17 · CIN 90 · Score 16-33
    (2:17) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short right intended for 10-A.Humphries INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Bates at TB 21. 30-J.Bates for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 17:10 · TB 15 · Score 16-34
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 12:59 · CIN 20 · Score 19-34
    (12:59) 7-C.Catanzaro 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 10:07 · CIN 72 · Score 25-34
    (10:07) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 13-M.Evans for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 9:57 · CIN 15 · Score 26-34
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 1:10 · CIN 18 · Score 32-34
    (1:10) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety (+2) — Q4 1:05 · CIN 2 · Score 34-34
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass to 12-C.Godwin is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
19. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 0:05 · TB 26 · Score 34-37
    (:05) 4-R.Bullock 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. Penalty on TB-92-W.Gholston, Unnecessary Roughness, declined.