Quick answer
- Winner
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Final score
- Cincinnati Bengals 23–22 New York Giants
- Halftime
- New York Giants 13–10 Cincinnati Bengals at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- J. Kitna
- Top passer
- E. Manning
- Biggest EPA play
- (8:35) 31-J.Johnson right guard to NYG 46 for 4 yards (54-N.Greisen). FUMBLES (54-N.Greise…
- Game date
- 2004-12-26
Game summary
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the New York Giants 23–22 on 2004-12-26, overcoming New York Giants's 13–10 halftime lead. J. Kitna posted a game-high +8.30 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New York Giants | 0 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 22 |
 Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 23 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
NYGNew York Giants
(5:35) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
(12:56) 21-T.Barber left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
(9:51) 17-S.Graham 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
(5:26) 2-S.Christie 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
(:04) 2-S.Christie 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
(7:40) 2-S.Christie 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
(1:25) 32-R.Johnson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
(12:44) 2-S.Christie 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
(5:17) 2-S.Christie 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
(:52) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati BengalsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q1 5:35TD Cornelius JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NYG 5
- Score
- 0-6
(5:35) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q1 5:26XP SGS. GrahamPoints+1
- Yard line
- NYG 2
- Score
- 0-7
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q2 12:56TD TBTaye BarberPoints+6
- Yard line
- CIN 1
- Score
- 6-7
(12:56) 21-T.Barber left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q2 12:49XP SCS. ChristiePoints+1
- Yard line
- CIN 2
- Score
- 7-7
2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q2 9:51FG SGS. GrahamPoints+3
- Yard line
- NYG 24
- Score
- 7-10
(9:51) 17-S.Graham 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q2 5:26FG SCS. ChristiePoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 13
- Score
- 10-10
(5:26) 2-S.Christie 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q2 0:04FG SCS. ChristiePoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 18
- Score
- 13-10
(:04) 2-S.Christie 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q3 7:40FG SCS. ChristiePoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 26
- Score
- 16-10
(7:40) 2-S.Christie 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q3 1:25TD Roschon JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NYG 1
- Score
- 16-16
(1:25) 32-R.Johnson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q3 1:21XP SGS. GrahamPoints+1
- Yard line
- NYG 2
- Score
- 16-17
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q4 12:44FG SCS. ChristiePoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 23
- Score
- 19-17
(12:44) 2-S.Christie 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
- NYGNew York Giants
Q4 5:17FG SCS. ChristiePoints+3
- Yard line
- CIN 10
- Score
- 22-17
(5:17) 2-S.Christie 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
- CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 0:52TD Cornelius JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NYG 4
- Score
- 22-23
(:52) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1J. Kitna · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +8.30 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 2T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +6.79 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
- 3I. Hilliard · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.80 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
- 4Cornelius Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.68 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
- 5J. Shockey · New York Giants · Receiving · +4.58 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 6D. Tyree · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
- 7A. Toomer · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 8Taye Barber · New York Giants · Rushing · +2.76 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.12 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
J. Kitna — CIN · Passing
J. Kitna posted the highest total EPA (+8.30) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cincinnati Bengals. Across 37 counted snaps, they averaged +0.22 EPA per play.
J. Kitna's top snap (+3.44 EPA): (1:51) 3-J.Kitna pass to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to NYG 5 for 19 yards (26-B.Alexander).
Biggest single play (-5.98 EPA): Josh Johnson — (8:35) 31-J.Johnson right guard to NYG 46 for 4 yards (54-N.Greisen). FUMBLES (54-N.Greisen), RECOVERED by NYG-26-B.Alexander at NYG 43. 26-B.Alexander to CIN 28 for 29 yards (65-E.Steinbach).
Quarterback report card
E. Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- E. Manning (New York Giants) · 38 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.62 total EPA
- J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 37 dropbacks · 54.1% completion · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.30 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | New York Giants | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.057 | +0.036 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.6% | 47.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.016 | +0.273 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.151 | -0.617 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.036 | -0.057 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.6% | 53.4% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New York Giants +0.06, Cincinnati Bengals +0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New York Giants: +0.06 EPA/play (63rd percentile vs. 2004 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: +0.04 EPA/play (60th percentile vs. 2004 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +2.71 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New York Giants: 11 drives, +5.04 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — Cornelius Johnson (J. Kitna pass)
- New York Giants — Taye Barber
- Cincinnati Bengals — Roschon Johnson
- Cincinnati Bengals — Cornelius Johnson (J. Kitna pass)
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- New York Giants — S. Christie
- New York Giants — S. Christie
- New York Giants — S. Christie
- New York Giants — S. Christie
- New York Giants — S. Christie
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NYG 5 (Q1 5:35) — (5:35) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q1 5:26) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 13–3. New York Giants found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q2 12:56) — (12:56) 21-T.Barber left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 12:49) — 2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NYG 24 (Q2 9:51) — (9:51) 17-S.Graham 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the CIN 13 (Q2 5:26) — (5:26) 2-S.Christie 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the CIN 18 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 2-S.Christie 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the CIN 26 (Q3 7:40) — (7:40) 2-S.Christie 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q3 1:25) — (1:25) 32-R.Johnson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 1:21) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the CIN 23 (Q4 12:44) — (12:44) 2-S.Christie 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the CIN 10 (Q4 5:17) — (5:17) 2-S.Christie 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q4 0:52) — (:52) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New York Giants (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass INTERCEPTED by 72-C.Powell (91-R.Geathers) at CIN 47. 72-C.Powell to CIN 45 for -2 yards (60-S.O'Hara). {Pass was tipped up at the line of scrimmage}
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 8:35) — (8:35) 31-J.Johnson right guard to NYG 46 for 4 yards (54-N.Greisen). FUMBLES (54-N.Greisen), RECOVERED by NYG-26-B.Alexander at NYG 43. 26-B.Alexander to CIN 28 for 29 yards (65-E.Steinbach).
- New York Giants (Q4 2:19) — (2:19) 17-J.Feagles punts 43 yards to CIN 34, Center-90-R.Kuehl. 25-K.Ratliff pushed ob at NYG 24 for 42 yards (83-M.Rivers). Penalty on NYG, Player Out of Bounds on Punt, declined. {No number given o
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) 3-J.Kitna pass to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to NYG 5 for 19 yards (26-B.Alexander).
- New York Giants (Q4 0:44) — 17-S.Graham kicks 57 yards from CIN 30 to NYG 13. 87-W.Ponder to NYG 48 for 35 yards (17-S.Graham; 34-K.Kaesviharn). PENALTY on CIN-37-R.Myles, Offside on Free Kick, 5 yards, enforced at NYG 48.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 8:35) — (8:35) 31-J.Johnson right guard to NYG 46 for 4 yards (54-N.Greisen). FUMBLES (54-N.Greisen), RECOVERED by NYG-26-B.Alexander at NYG 43. 26-B.Alexander to CIN 28 for 29 yards (65-E.Steinbach).
- New York Giants (Q1 0:14) — (:14) 10-E.Manning pass to 88-I.Hilliard ran ob at CIN 17 for 20 yards (22-K.Herring).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) 3-J.Kitna pass to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to NYG 5 for 19 yards (26-B.Alexander).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 11:26) — (11:26) 32-R.Johnson right tackle to NYG 39 for -2 yards (94-W.Joseph, 59-K.Lewis).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 5:35 · NYG 5 · Score 0-6
(5:35) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 5:26 · NYG 2 · Score 0-7
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 12:56 · CIN 1 · Score 6-7
(12:56) 21-T.Barber left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 12:49 · CIN 2 · Score 7-7
2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 9:51 · NYG 24 · Score 7-10
(9:51) 17-S.Graham 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 5:26 · CIN 13 · Score 10-10
(5:26) 2-S.Christie 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · CIN 18 · Score 13-10
(:04) 2-S.Christie 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q3 7:40 · CIN 26 · Score 16-10
(7:40) 2-S.Christie 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 1:25 · NYG 1 · Score 16-16
(1:25) 32-R.Johnson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 1:21 · NYG 2 · Score 16-17
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 12:44 · CIN 23 · Score 19-17
(12:44) 2-S.Christie 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 5:17 · CIN 10 · Score 22-17
(5:17) 2-S.Christie 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 0:52 · NYG 4 · Score 22-23
(:52) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Cincinnati Bengals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals on 2004-12-26?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the New York Giants 23-22 in Week 16, 2004.
What was the score by quarter in New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: New York Giants 0, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Q2: New York Giants 13, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q3: New York Giants 3, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Q4: New York Giants 6, Cincinnati Bengals 6; Final: New York Giants 22, Cincinnati Bengals 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q1 5:35) New York Giants touchdown — T. Barber (Q2 12:56) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — R. Johnson (Q3 1:25) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q4 0:52) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q2 9:51, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — S. Christie (Q2 5:26, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — S. Christie (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — S. Christie (Q3 7:40, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — S. Christie (Q4 12:44, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — S. Christie (Q4 5:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals?
E. Manning (New York Giants), 50.0% completion, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.62 total passing EPA. J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals), 54.1% completion, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +8.30 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals?
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.30 total EPA on Passing plays. across 37 snaps. Their top snap (+3.44 EPA): (1:51) 3-J.Kitna pass to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to NYG 5 for 19 yards (26-B.Alexander)..
Was New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 1 points. Cincinnati Bengals won 23-22 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New York Giants
Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 6-8 Now 7-8 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
