Bengals 17–20 Broncos: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2015

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

A. McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.77 total EPA on Passing plays. across 41 snaps. Their top snap (+2.81 EPA): (9:58) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass deep middle to 12-M.Sanu to CIN 34 for 20 yards (29-B.Roby) [58-V.Miller]..

Quick answer

Winner: Denver Broncos
Final score: Denver Broncos 20–17 Cincinnati Bengals
Halftime: Cincinnati Bengals 14–3 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: AJ McCarron
Top passer: B. Osweiler
Biggest EPA play: (4:12) 22-C.Anderson up the middle to CIN 27 for 5 yards (90-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (90-M.Joh…
Game date: 2015-12-28

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20–17 on 2015-12-28, overcoming Cincinnati Bengals's 14–3 halftime lead. AJ McCarron posted a game-high +10.77 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	T
Cincinnati Bengals	7	7	0	3	0	17
Denver Broncos	0	3	7	7	3	20

Scoring Map

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

CINCincinnati Bengals

DEN 5

+1DEN 15

DEN 6

+1DEN 15

+3CIN 5

CIN 8

CIN 39

+3DEN 34

DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

CINCincinnati Bengals
Q1 7:31TD
Art Green
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 5
Score
6-0
(7:31) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass short right to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q1 7:26XP
MNM. Nugent
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 15
Score
7-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q2 10:56TD
MSM. Sanu
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 6
Score
13-0
(10:56) (Shotgun) 12-M.Sanu left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q2 10:51XP
MNM. Nugent
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 15
Score
14-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 0:18FG
Brandon McManus
Points+3
Yard line
CIN 5
Score
14-3
(:18) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 10:20TD
ESEli Sanders
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 8
Score
14-9
(10:20) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 10:14XP
Brandon McManus
Points+1
Yard line
CIN 15
Score
14-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 11:27TD
Calvin Anderson
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 39
Score
14-16
(11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 11:17XP
Brandon McManus
Points+1
Yard line
CIN 15
Score
14-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q4 6:51FG
MNM. Nugent
Points+3
Yard line
DEN 34
Score
17-17
(6:51) 2-M.Nugent 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
DENDenver Broncos
OT 10:05FG
Brandon McManus
Points+3
Yard line
CIN 19
Score
17-20
(10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1AJ McCarron · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +10.77 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
2B. Osweiler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.96 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
3Eli Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.72 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
4Art Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.13 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5O. Daniels · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.14 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
6M. Sanu · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
7Germie Bernard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
8M. Sanu · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +2.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.07 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

AJ McCarron — CIN · Passing

AJ McCarron posted the highest total EPA (+10.77) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cincinnati Bengals. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.26 EPA per play.

AJ McCarron's top snap (+2.81 EPA): (9:58) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass deep middle to 12-M.Sanu to CIN 34 for 20 yards (29-B.Roby) [58-V.Miller].

Biggest single play (-4.35 EPA): Calvin Anderson — (4:12) 22-C.Anderson up the middle to CIN 27 for 5 yards (90-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (90-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-20-R.Nelson at CIN 26. 20-R.Nelson to CIN 26 for no gain (85-V.Green).

Quarterback report card

B. Osweiler led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.96 total EPA
AJ McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) · 41 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · +4.6% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +10.77 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Cincinnati Bengals	Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play	+0.022	+0.026
Offensive success rate	40.0%	52.4%
Pass EPA/play	+0.263	+0.155
Rush EPA/play	-0.198	-0.157
Defensive EPA/play	-0.026	-0.022
Defensive success rate	47.6%	60.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cincinnati Bengals +0.02, Denver Broncos +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Cincinnati Bengals: +0.02 EPA/play (61st percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
Denver Broncos: +0.03 EPA/play (63rd percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)

Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +1.97 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +2.10 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Cincinnati Bengals — Art Green (AJ McCarron pass) (Q1 7:31)
Cincinnati Bengals — M. Sanu (Q2 10:56)
Denver Broncos — Eli Sanders (B. Osweiler pass) (Q3 10:20)
Denver Broncos — Calvin Anderson (Q4 11:27)

Field goals

Denver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q2 0:18)
Cincinnati Bengals — M. Nugent (Q4 6:51)
Denver Broncos — Brandon McManus (OT 10:05)

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 DEN 5 (Q1 7:31) — (7:31) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass short right to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 7:26) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DEN 6 (Q2 10:56) — (10:56) (Shotgun) 12-M.Sanu left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 10:51) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 5 (Q2 0:18) — (:18) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 8 (Q3 10:20) — (10:20) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 10:14) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CIN 39 (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 11:17) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DEN 34 (Q4 6:51) — (6:51) 2-M.Nugent 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Overtime: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CIN 19 (OT 10:05) — (10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Denver Broncos (OT 10:05) — (10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. [WPA -48.8% · EPA +0.48]
Cincinnati Bengals (OT 9:48) — (9:48) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron FUMBLES (Aborted) at CIN 23, RECOVERED by DEN-94-D.Ware at CIN 23. [WPA -48.1% · EPA -0.82]
Denver Broncos (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. [WPA -23.0% · EPA -2.35]
Denver Broncos (OT 13:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short right to 85-V.Green pushed ob at DEN 41 for 8 yards (55-V.Burfict). PENALTY on CIN-55-V.Burfict, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at DEN 41. [WPA +20.1% · EPA +1.88]
Denver Broncos (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.8% · EPA +3.49]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Denver Broncos (Q4 4:12) — (4:12) 22-C.Anderson up the middle to CIN 27 for 5 yards (90-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (90-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by CIN-20-R.Nelson at CIN 26. 20-R.Nelson to CIN 26 for no gain (85-V.Green). [WPA -15.3% · EPA -4.35]
Denver Broncos (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.8% · EPA +3.49]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 2:31) — (2:31) 2-M.Nugent 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. [WPA -5.0% · EPA -2.86]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 9:58) — (9:58) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass deep middle to 12-M.Sanu to CIN 34 for 20 yards (29-B.Roby) [58-V.Miller]. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.81]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 7:31 · DEN 5 · Score 6-0
(7:31) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass short right to 18-A.Green for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 7:26 · DEN 15 · Score 7-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 10:56 · DEN 6 · Score 13-0
(10:56) (Shotgun) 12-M.Sanu left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 10:51 · DEN 15 · Score 14-0
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 0:18 · CIN 5 · Score 14-3
(:18) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 10:20 · CIN 8 · Score 14-9
(10:20) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 10:14 · CIN 15 · Score 14-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 11:27 · CIN 39 · Score 14-16
(11:27) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 11:17 · CIN 15 · Score 14-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 6:51 · DEN 34 · Score 17-17
(6:51) 2-M.Nugent 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — OT 10:05 · CIN 19 · Score 17-20
(10:05) 8-B.McManus 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

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.
AJ McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
B. Osweiler (DEN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos on 2015-12-28?

The Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in Week 16, 2015.

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

Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q5: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Denver Broncos 3; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 17, Denver Broncos 20.

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

Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — A. Green (A. McCarron pass) (Q1 7:31) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — M. Sanu (Q2 10:56) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Sanders (B. Osweiler pass) (Q3 10:20) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Anderson (Q4 11:27) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 0:18, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — M. Nugent (Q4 6:51, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (OT 10:05, 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?

B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos), 60.0% completion, +5.0% CPOE, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +6.96 total passing EPA. AJ McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.7% completion, +4.6% CPOE, +0.26 EPA per dropback, +10.77 total passing EPA.

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

AJ McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.77 total EPA on Passing plays. across 41 snaps. Their top snap (+2.81 EPA): (9:58) (Shotgun) 5-A.McCarron pass deep middle to 12-M.Sanu to CIN 34 for 20 yards (29-B.Roby) [58-V.Miller]..

Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Cincinnati Bengals

Entered 11-3 Now 11-4 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos: 2015 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Bengals

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

Quick answer

Game summary