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NFL · Week 2 · September 18, 2011 · 12 min read

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos: 2011 Week 2 Recap

Broncos defeat Bengals 24–22 in Week 2

John Simpson led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 22–24 Week 2 finish.

Cincinnati Bengals 22 1–1
Final 22–24
Denver Broncos 24 1–1 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
22–24
Halftime
Cincinnati Bengals 3–10 Denver Broncos
Top passer
Andy Dalton
FantasyHQ MVP
John Simpson
Game date
September 18, 2011

Top fantasy performers · Bengals

  • John Simpson
    John Simpson 4 REC · 136 YDS +6.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Andy Dalton
    Andy Dalton 27/48 · 315 YDS · 2 TD +5.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Art Green
    Art Green 10 REC · 124 YDS · 1 TD +3.9 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • S.Larsen 3 REC · 23 YDS +1.9 Fantasy Impact
  • E.Royal 2 REC · 18 YDS +1.6 Fantasy Impact
  • W.McGahee 1 REC · 5 YDS +1.1 Fantasy Impact
View Bengals vs Broncos box score View all 2011 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 24–22 Cincinnati Bengals
Halftime
Cincinnati Bengals 3–10 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
John Simpson
Top passer
Andy Dalton
Biggest EPA play
(12:53) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle to 89-J.Simpson to DEN 9 for 84 yards (41-C…
Game date
2011-09-18

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 24–22 on 2011-09-18. John Simpson posted a game-high +5.99 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 19 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Cincinnati Bengals03127022
Denver Broncos7377024

Scoring Map

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

CINCincinnati Bengals
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 6:36TD
    WMW. McGahee

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CIN 1
    Score
    0-6

    (6:36) 23-W.McGahee right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 6:30XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 2
    Score
    0-7

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  3. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q2 6:39FG
    MNM. Nugent

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 27
    Score
    3-7

    (6:39) 2-M.Nugent 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  4. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 0:16FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CIN 16
    Score
    3-10

    (:16) 5-M.Prater 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 11:03TD
    EDE. Decker

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CIN 25
    Score
    3-16

    (11:03) 8-K.Orton pass short middle to 87-E.Decker for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CIN-22-N.Clements, Horse Collar Tackle, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 10:57XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 2
    Score
    3-17

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  7. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q3 8:59FG
    MNM. Nugent

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 19
    Score
    6-17

    (8:59) 2-M.Nugent 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  8. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q3 3:41TD
    ACA. Caldwell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 10
    Score
    12-17

    (3:41) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 87-A.Caldwell for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q3 1:09FG
    MNM. Nugent

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 5
    Score
    15-17

    (1:09) 2-M.Nugent 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  10. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 13:40TD
    EDE. Decker

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CIN 52
    Score
    15-23

    (13:40) 8-K.Orton pass deep right to 87-E.Decker for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 13:30XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 2
    Score
    15-24

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  12. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 11:23TD
    Art Green

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 5
    Score
    21-24

    (11:23) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 11:17XP
    MNM. Nugent

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    22-24

    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1John SimpsonJohn Simpson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.99 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
  2. 2Andy DaltonAndy Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +5.62 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
  3. 3Art GreenArt Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  4. 4A. Caldwell · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
  5. 5S. Larsen · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
  6. 6E. Royal · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
  7. 7W. McGahee · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
  8. 8E. Decker · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.12 total EPA · 9 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.

John Simpson

FantasyHQ Game MVP

John Simpson — CIN · Receiving

John Simpson posted the highest total EPA (+5.99) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cincinnati Bengals. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.60 EPA per play.

John Simpson's top snap (+6.61 EPA): (12:53) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle to 89-J.Simpson to DEN 9 for 84 yards (41-C.Vaughn).

Quarterback report card

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

  • Andy DaltonAndy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 48 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · +5.2% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +5.62 total EPA
  • K. Orton (Denver Broncos) · 29 dropbacks · 51.7% completion · -1.0% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatCincinnati BengalsDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play+0.028+0.002
Offensive success rate45.8%42.4%
Pass EPA/play+0.117-0.003
Rush EPA/play-0.220-0.047
Defensive EPA/play-0.002-0.028
Defensive success rate57.6%54.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cincinnati Bengals +0.03, Denver Broncos +0.00) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Cincinnati Bengals: +0.03 EPA/play (60th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: +0.00 EPA/play (51st percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 13 drives, +2.34 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Denver Broncos: 13 drives, +0.14 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Denver Broncos — W. McGahee (Q1 6:36)
  • Denver Broncos — E. Decker (K. Orton pass) (Q3 11:03)
  • Cincinnati Bengals — A. Caldwell (Andy Dalton pass) (Q3 3:41)
  • Denver Broncos — E. Decker (K. Orton pass) (Q4 13:40)
  • Art GreenCincinnati Bengals — Art Green (Andy Dalton pass) (Q4 11:23)

Field goals

  • Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q2 6:39)
  • Matt PraterDenver Broncos — Matt Prater (Q2 0:16)
  • Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q3 8:59)
  • Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q3 1:09)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q1 6:36) — (6:36) 23-W.McGahee right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 6:30) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 27 (Q2 6:39) — (6:39) 2-M.Nugent 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 16 (Q2 0:16) — (:16) 5-M.Prater 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 12–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 25 (Q3 11:03); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 10:57) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 19 (Q3 8:59) — (8:59) 2-M.Nugent 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 10 (Q3 3:41) — (3:41) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 87-A.Caldwell for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q3 1:09) — (1:09) 2-M.Nugent 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 52 (Q4 13:40) — (13:40) 8-K.Orton pass deep right to 87-E.Decker for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 13:30) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 5 (Q4 11:23) — (11:23) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 11:17) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete short right to 18-A.Green (58-V.Miller) [91-R.Ayers]. [WPA -22.7% · EPA -2.55]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 12:53) — (12:53) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle to 89-J.Simpson to DEN 9 for 84 yards (41-C.Vaughn). [WPA +18.8% · EPA +6.61]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 2:25) — (2:25) 8-K.Orton sacked at DEN 13 for 0 yards (93-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (93-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-94-D.Peko at DEN 14. 94-D.Peko to DEN 14 for no gain (50-J.Walton). [WPA -17.3% · EPA -4.04]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete deep right to 18-A.Green. [WPA -17.3% · EPA -1.14]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton sacked at CIN 43 for -9 yards (29-J.Wilhite). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -1.04]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 12:53) — (12:53) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle to 89-J.Simpson to DEN 9 for 84 yards (41-C.Vaughn). [WPA +18.8% · EPA +6.61]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 13:40) — (13:40) 8-K.Orton pass deep right to 87-E.Decker for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +4.44]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 2:25) — (2:25) 8-K.Orton sacked at DEN 13 for 0 yards (93-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (93-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-94-D.Peko at DEN 14. 94-D.Peko to DEN 14 for no gain (50-J.Walton). [WPA -17.3% · EPA -4.04]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 9:53) — (9:53) Direction Change. 8-K.Orton pass deep middle to 87-E.Decker to DEN 44 for 19 yards (20-R.Nelson). FUMBLES (20-R.Nelson), RECOVERED by CIN-29-L.Hall at CIN 49. 29-L.Hall to DEN 41 for 10 yards ( [WPA -6.4% · EPA -4.00]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 6:36 · CIN 1 · Score 0-6
    (6:36) 23-W.McGahee right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 6:30 · CIN 2 · Score 0-7
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  3. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 6:39 · DEN 27 · Score 3-7
    (6:39) 2-M.Nugent 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  4. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 0:16 · CIN 16 · Score 3-10
    (:16) 5-M.Prater 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 11:03 · CIN 25 · Score 3-16
    (11:03) 8-K.Orton pass short middle to 87-E.Decker for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CIN-22-N.Clements, Horse Collar Tackle, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
  6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 10:57 · CIN 2 · Score 3-17
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  7. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 8:59 · DEN 19 · Score 6-17
    (8:59) 2-M.Nugent 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  8. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 3:41 · DEN 10 · Score 12-17
    (3:41) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 87-A.Caldwell for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 1:09 · DEN 5 · Score 15-17
    (1:09) 2-M.Nugent 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  10. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 13:40 · CIN 52 · Score 15-23
    (13:40) 8-K.Orton pass deep right to 87-E.Decker for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 13:30 · CIN 2 · Score 15-24
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  12. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 11:23 · DEN 5 · Score 21-24
    (11:23) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 11:17 · DEN 2 · Score 22-24
    2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

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.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • John Simpson (Cincinnati Bengals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Andy Dalton (CIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos on 2011-09-18?

The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 24-22 in Week 2, 2011.

What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 12, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Denver Broncos 7; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 22, Denver Broncos 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?

Denver Broncos touchdown — W. McGahee (Q1 6:36) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Decker (K. Orton pass) (Q3 11:03) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — A. Caldwell (A. Dalton pass) (Q3 3:41) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Decker (K. Orton pass) (Q4 13:40) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — A. Green (A. Dalton pass) (Q4 11:23) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q2 6:39, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 0:16, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q3 8:59, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q3 1:09, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?

Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals), 56.2% completion, +5.2% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +5.62 total passing EPA. K. Orton (Denver Broncos), 51.7% completion, -1.0% CPOE, -0.00 EPA per dropback, -0.10 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos?

John Simpson (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.99 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 10 snaps. Their top snap (+6.61 EPA): (12:53) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle to 89-J.Simpson to DEN 9 for 84 yards (41-C.Vaughn)..

Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Denver Broncos won 24-22 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Cincinnati Bengals

Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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