Steelers 23–17 Bengals: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2006

Quick answer

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 23–17 Cincinnati Bengals
Halftime: Pittsburgh Steelers 7–3 Cincinnati Bengals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: B. Roethlisberger
Top passer: C. Palmer
Biggest EPA play: (13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date: 2006-12-31

Game summary

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23–17 on 2006-12-31. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +14.22 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q2	Q4	OT	—	—	T
Pittsburgh Steelers	7	10	6	0	0	23
Cincinnati Bengals	3	14	0	0	0	17

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

PITPittsburgh Steelers

+3PIT 16

PIT 66

+3CIN 17

CIN 67

CINCincinnati Bengals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 11:05TD
WPW. Parker
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 1
Score
6-0
(11:05) 39-W.Parker left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 11:01XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
CIN 2
Score
7-0
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q2 0:11FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
PIT 16
Score
7-3
(:11) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 12:33TD
CHC. Henry
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 66
Score
7-9
(12:33) 9-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 15-C.Henry for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 12:20XP
SGS. Graham
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
7-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 7:31TD
WPW. Parker
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 1
Score
13-10
(7:31) 39-W.Parker right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 7:27XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
CIN 2
Score
14-10
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 2:54TD
Tre Stewart
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 5
Score
14-16
(2:54) 9-C.Palmer pass to 86-T.Stewart for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 2:47XP
SGS. Graham
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
14-17
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 1:07FG
Joe Reed
Points+3
Yard line
CIN 17
Score
17-17
(1:07) 3-J.Reed 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
OT 13:38TD
SHS. Holmes
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 67
Score
23-17
(13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +14.22 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2C. Palmer · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +12.49 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
3S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.53 EPA/play
4C. Henry · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.66 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.92 EPA/play
5Cornelius Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
6H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.86 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
7T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
8Cedrick Wilson Jr. · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.00 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

B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing

B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+14.22) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.46 EPA per play.

B. Roethlisberger's top snap (+5.95 EPA): (13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

C. Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 38 dropbacks · 52.6% completion · +1.7% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +12.49 total EPA
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 31 dropbacks · 61.3% completion · +14.0% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +14.22 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Pittsburgh Steelers	Cincinnati Bengals
Offensive EPA/play	+0.177	+0.092
Offensive success rate	58.4%	43.2%
Pass EPA/play	+0.459	+0.329
Rush EPA/play	-0.015	-0.184
Defensive EPA/play	-0.092	-0.177
Defensive success rate	56.8%	41.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.18 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.18 EPA/play (92nd percentile vs. 2006 team-game averages)
Cincinnati Bengals: +0.09 EPA/play (80th percentile vs. 2006 team-game averages)

Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +6.81 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +15.76 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q2 11:05)
Cincinnati Bengals — C. Henry (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 12:33)
Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q4 7:31)
Cincinnati Bengals — Tre Stewart (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 2:54)
Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (OT 13:38)

Field goals

Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham (Q2 0:11)
Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q4 1:07)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q2 11:05) — (11:05) 39-W.Parker left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 11:01) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (Q2 0:11) — (:11) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–10. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 66 (Q4 12:33) — (12:33) 9-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 15-C.Henry for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 12:20) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 7:31) — (7:31) 39-W.Parker right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 7:27) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q4 2:54) — (2:54) 9-C.Palmer pass to 86-T.Stewart for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 2:47); Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 17 (Q4 1:07) — (1:07) 3-J.Reed 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Overtime: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 67 (OT 13:38) — (13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 13:38) — (13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +44.4% · EPA +5.95]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 12:33) — (12:33) 9-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 15-C.Henry for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +26.6% · EPA +5.28]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:12) — (:12) 17-S.Graham 39 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. [WPA -25.5% · EPA -2.47]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 4:17) — (4:17) 9-C.Palmer pass incomplete deep middle to 15-C.Henry. PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at PIT 28 - No Play. [WPA +21.6% · EPA +2.35]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:07) — (2:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-S.Holmes to CIN 28 for 34 yards (34-K.Kaesviharn; 28-D.Jackson). [WPA +21.3% · EPA +2.37]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 13:38) — (13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +44.4% · EPA +5.95]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 13:34) — (13:34) 39-W.Parker up the middle to CIN 2 for 7 yards (59-L.Johnson). FUMBLES (59-L.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-28-D.Jackson at CIN -5. Touchback. [WPA -18.2% · EPA -5.70]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 12:33) — (12:33) 9-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 15-C.Henry for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +26.6% · EPA +5.28]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 6:25) — (6:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle intended for 10-S.Holmes INTERCEPTED by 20-T.James [90-J.Smith] at CIN 20. 20-T.James to CIN 48 for 28 yards (66-A.Faneca; 73-K.Simmons). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -3.80]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 11:05 · CIN 1 · Score 6-0
(11:05) 39-W.Parker left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 11:01 · CIN 2 · Score 7-0
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 0:11 · PIT 16 · Score 7-3
(:11) 17-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 12:33 · PIT 66 · Score 7-9
(12:33) 9-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 15-C.Henry for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 12:20 · PIT 2 · Score 7-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 7:31 · CIN 1 · Score 13-10
(7:31) 39-W.Parker right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 7:27 · CIN 2 · Score 14-10
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 2:54 · PIT 5 · Score 14-16
(2:54) 9-C.Palmer pass to 86-T.Stewart for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 2:47 · PIT 2 · Score 14-17
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 1:07 · CIN 17 · Score 17-17
(1:07) 3-J.Reed 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — OT 13:38 · CIN 67 · Score 23-17
(13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals on 2006-12-31?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-17 in Week 17, 2006.

What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?

Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cincinnati Bengals 14; Q5: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Cincinnati Bengals 17.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?

Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — W. Parker (Q2 11:05) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Henry (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 12:33) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — W. Parker (Q4 7:31) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Stewart (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 2:54) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (OT 13:38) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q2 0:11, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 1:07, 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?

C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals), 52.6% completion, +1.7% CPOE, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +12.49 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 61.3% completion, +14.0% CPOE, +0.46 EPA per dropback, +14.22 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals?

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.22 total EPA on Passing plays. across 31 snaps. Their top snap (+5.95 EPA): (13:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 23-17 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 7-8 Now 8-8 W

Cincinnati Bengals

Entered 8-7 Now 8-8 L

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2006 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

Top fantasy performers · Bengals

Quick answer

Game summary