Quick answer
- Winner
- Denver Broncos
- Final score
- Denver Broncos 30–10 Cincinnati Bengals
- Halftime
- Denver Broncos 20–3 Cincinnati Bengals at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Cornelius Johnson
- Top passer
- J. Kitna
- Biggest EPA play
- (10:25) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 28-C.Dillon INTERCEPTED by 52-I.Gold at CIN …
- Game date
- 2003-09-07
Game summary
The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30–10 on 2003-09-07. Cornelius Johnson posted a game-high +8.18 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 30 | |
| 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1

Cornelius Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +8.18 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play - 2
C. Portis · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +7.45 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play - 3
P. Warrick · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.39 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play - 4

Ryan Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.13 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play - 5
M. Schobel · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play - 6
D. Carswell · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.92 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.92 EPA/play - 7
C. Portis · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.50 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play - 8

Ryan Smith · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.33 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP
Cornelius Johnson — CIN · Receiving
Cornelius Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+8.18) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cincinnati Bengals. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.36 EPA per play.
Cornelius Johnson's top snap (+4.52 EPA): (3:10) (No Huddle) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by DEN at 03:04.)
Biggest single play (-5.99 EPA): J. Kitna — (10:25) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 28-C.Dillon INTERCEPTED by 52-I.Gold at CIN 12. 52-I.Gold for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
J. Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 43 dropbacks · 46.5% completion · -0.32 EPA/play · -13.74 total EPA
Jack Plummer (Denver Broncos) · 25 dropbacks · 48.0% completion · -0.60 EPA/play · -14.96 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.020 | -0.313 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.8% | 37.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.527 | -0.313 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.189 | -0.425 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.313 | +0.020 |
| Defensive success rate | 63.0% | 51.2% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.31), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Denver Broncos: -0.02 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: -0.31 EPA/play (4th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 15 drives, -25.31 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 14 drives, -1.63 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Denver Broncos — C. Portis
Denver Broncos — C. Portis
Denver Broncos — I. Gold 
Cincinnati Bengals — Cornelius Johnson (J. Kitna pass)
Field goals
Denver Broncos — J. Elam
Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
Denver Broncos — J. Elam
Denver Broncos — J. Elam
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 33 (Q1 9:09) — (9:09) 1-J.Elam 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 17–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 2 (Q2 10:58) — (10:58) 26-C.Portis right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 10:54) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 8 (Q2 3:17) — (3:17) 17-S.Graham 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 8 (Q2 1:18) — (1:18) 26-C.Portis up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 1:13) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 9 (Q2 0:15) — (:15) 1-J.Elam 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 90 (Q3 10:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 28-C.Dillon INTERCEPTED by 52-I.Gold at CIN 12. 52-I.Gold for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 10:18) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 21 (Q4 4:21) — (4:21) 1-J.Elam 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 41 (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (No Huddle) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by DEN at 03:04.); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 3:04) — 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.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 9:21) — (9:21) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 84-S.Sharpe INTERCEPTED by 56-B.Simmons (91-C.Powell) at CIN 34. 56-B.Simmons to CIN 47 for 13 yards (38-M.Anderson). {Pass tipped at the line of scrimmage}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 7:11) — (7:11) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass incomplete to 80-P.Warrick. PENALTY on DEN-31-K.Herndon, Defensive Pass Interference, 13 yards, enforced at CIN 42 - No Play.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 4:23) — (4:23) 3-J.Kitna pass to 89-M.Schobel pushed ob at DEN 27 for 6 yards (56-A.Wilson).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson ran ob at DEN 35 for 22 yards (24-D.O'Neal).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 11:39) — (11:39) 26-C.Portis left end pushed ob at CIN 37 for 10 yards (26-T.James).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 10:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 28-C.Dillon INTERCEPTED by 52-I.Gold at CIN 12. 52-I.Gold for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 9:21) — (9:21) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 84-S.Sharpe INTERCEPTED by 56-B.Simmons (91-C.Powell) at CIN 34. 56-B.Simmons to CIN 47 for 13 yards (38-M.Anderson). {Pass tipped at the line of scrimmage}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 8:24) — (8:24) 3-J.Kitna sacked at CIN 49 for -7 yards (93-T.Pryce). FUMBLES (93-T.Pryce), RECOVERED by DEN-98-R.Hayward at 50. 98-R.Hayward to 50 for no gain (76-L.Jones). Play Challenged by CIN and Upheld.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (No Huddle) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by DEN at 03:04.)
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 9:09 · CIN 33 · Score 3-0
(9:09) 1-J.Elam 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 10:58 · CIN 2 · Score 9-0
(10:58) 26-C.Portis right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 10:54 · CIN 2 · Score 10-0
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 3:17 · DEN 8 · Score 10-3
(3:17) 17-S.Graham 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 1:18 · CIN 8 · Score 16-3
(1:18) 26-C.Portis up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 1:13 · CIN 2 · Score 17-3
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 0:15 · CIN 9 · Score 20-3
(:15) 1-J.Elam 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 10:25 · DEN 90 · Score 26-3
(10:25) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 28-C.Dillon INTERCEPTED by 52-I.Gold at CIN 12. 52-I.Gold for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 10:18 · CIN 2 · Score 27-3
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 4:21 · CIN 21 · Score 30-3
(4:21) 1-J.Elam 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 3:10 · DEN 41 · Score 30-9
(3:10) (No Huddle) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by DEN at 03:04.)
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 3:04 · DEN 2 · Score 30-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- Cornelius Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals on 2003-09-07?
The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-10 in Week 1, 2003.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: Denver Broncos 3, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q2: Denver Broncos 17, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q3: Denver Broncos 7, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: Denver Broncos 3, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Final: Denver Broncos 30, Cincinnati Bengals 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Portis (Q2 10:58) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Portis (Q2 1:18) Denver Broncos touchdown — I. Gold (Q3 10:25) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q4 3:10) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q1 9:09, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q2 3:17, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 0:15, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q4 4:21, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals), 46.5% completion, -0.32 EPA per dropback, -13.74 total passing EPA. Jack Plummer (Denver Broncos), 48.0% completion, -0.60 EPA per dropback, -14.96 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cornelius Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.18 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+4.52 EPA): (3:10) (No Huddle) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by DEN at 03:04.).
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Now 1-0 W
Cincinnati Bengals
Now 0-1 L