FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 15 · December 21, 2020 · 12 min read

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2020 Week 15 Recap

Bengals defeat Steelers 27–17 in Week 15

Chase Claypool led Fantasy Impact as Bengals prevailed in a 17–27 Week 15 finish.

Pittsburgh Steelers 17 11–3
Final 17–27
Cincinnati Bengals 27 3–10 Winner
Winner
Cincinnati Bengals
Final score
17–27
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 0–17 Cincinnati Bengals
Top passer
B. Roethlisberger
FantasyHQ MVP
Chase Claypool
Game date
December 21, 2020

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • Chase Claypool
    Chase Claypool 3 REC · 54 YDS +2.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Anthony McFarland Jr.
    Anthony McFarland Jr. 1 REC · 9 YDS +0.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Benny Snell
    Benny Snell 3 REC · 23 YDS +0.3 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Bengals

  • Germie Bernard 1 REC · 14 YDS · 1 TD +2.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Art Green
    Art Green 2 REC · 40 YDS +0.8 Fantasy Impact
  • R.Finley 8 CAR · 45 YDS · 1 TD +0.6 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Cincinnati Bengals
Final score
Cincinnati Bengals 27–17 Pittsburgh Steelers
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 0–17 Cincinnati Bengals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Chase Claypool
Top passer
B. Roethlisberger
Biggest EPA play
(9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT …
Game date
2020-12-21

Game summary

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27–17 on 2020-12-21. Chase Claypool posted a game-high +2.82 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Pittsburgh Steelers00107017
Cincinnati Bengals314010027

Scoring Map

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

PITPittsburgh Steelers
CINCincinnati Bengals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q1 5:16FG
    Austin Seibert

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 16
    Score
    0-3

    (5:16) 3-A.Seibert 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  2. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q2 12:10TD
    GBGermie Bernard

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 4
    Score
    0-9

    (12:10) 25-G.Bernard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q2 12:05XP
    Austin Seibert

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    0-10

    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  4. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q2 4:26TD
    GBGermie Bernard

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 14
    Score
    0-16

    (4:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley pass short middle to 25-G.Bernard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-S.Tuitt]. PIT-51-A.Williamson was injured during the play.

  5. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q2 4:20XP
    Austin Seibert

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    0-17

    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  6. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 12:11TD
    BRB. Roethlisberger

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CIN 23
    Score
    6-17

    (12:11) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 12:07XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 15
    Score
    7-17

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  8. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 5:30FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CIN 7
    Score
    10-17

    (5:30) 9-C.Boswell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  9. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 11:26TD
    RFR. Finley

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 23
    Score
    10-23

    (11:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 11:21XP
    Austin Seibert

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    10-24

    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  11. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 5:34TD
    Benny Snell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CIN 1
    Score
    16-24

    (5:34) 24-B.Snell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 5:32XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 15
    Score
    17-24

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  13. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 0:16FG
    Austin Seibert

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    17-27

    (:16) 3-A.Seibert 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Chase ClaypoolChase Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
  2. 2Germie Bernard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.67 EPA/play
  3. 3Art GreenArt Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  4. 4Anthony McFarland Jr.Anthony McFarland Jr. · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.74 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
  5. 5R. Finley · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +0.57 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
  6. 6Benny SnellBenny Snell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
  7. 7Tee HigginsTee Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.31 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
  8. 8J. Samuels · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.03 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Chase Claypool

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Chase Claypool — PIT · Receiving

Chase Claypool posted the highest total EPA (+2.82) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.

Chase Claypool's top snap (+3.53 EPA): (12:48) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool to CIN 23 for 37 yards (30-J.Bates III).

Biggest single play (-5.20 EPA): B. Roethlisberger — (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20.

Quarterback report card

B. Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 42 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · -8.8% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -9.59 total EPA
  • R. Finley (Cincinnati Bengals) · 16 dropbacks · 43.8% completion · +1.3% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -0.86 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatPittsburgh SteelersCincinnati Bengals
Offensive EPA/play-0.215-0.110
Offensive success rate40.7%40.3%
Pass EPA/play-0.228-0.054
Rush EPA/play-0.357-0.141
Defensive EPA/play+0.110+0.215
Defensive success rate59.7%59.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Cincinnati Bengals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.11 vs -0.21), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.21 EPA/play (8th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
  • Cincinnati Bengals: -0.11 EPA/play (20th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 14 drives, -8.46 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -17.38 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Cincinnati Bengals — Germie Bernard (Q2 12:10)
  • Cincinnati Bengals — Germie Bernard (R. Finley pass) (Q2 4:26)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger (Q3 12:11)
  • Cincinnati Bengals — R. Finley (Q4 11:26)
  • Benny SnellPittsburgh Steelers — Benny Snell (Q4 5:34)

Field goals

  • Austin SeibertCincinnati Bengals — Austin Seibert (Q1 5:16)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q3 5:30)
  • Austin SeibertCincinnati Bengals — Austin Seibert (Q4 0:16)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 3–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (Q1 5:16) — (5:16) 3-A.Seibert 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q2 12:10) — (12:10) 25-G.Bernard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 12:05) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q2 4:26); Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 4:20) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 23 (Q3 12:11) — (12:11) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 12:07) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 7 (Q3 5:30) — (5:30) 9-C.Boswell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–7. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 23 (Q4 11:26) — (11:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 11:21) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 5:34) — (5:34) 24-B.Snell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 5:32) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 15 (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 3-A.Seibert 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 9:22) — (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20. [WPA -13.6% · EPA -5.20]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 0:55) — (:55) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster (24-V.Bell). Cincinnati challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisbe [WPA -11.0% · EPA -4.50]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 1:44) — (1:44) 3-A.Seibert 55 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. [WPA -7.5% · EPA -2.11]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 12:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 25-G.Bernard right end to CIN 29 for -5 yards (90-T.Watt). [WPA -7.4% · EPA -2.30]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 6:01) — (6:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Alexander at CIN 38. 21-M.Alexander ran ob at PIT 41 for 21 yards (18-Di.Johnson). PENALTY on [WPA -7.1% · EPA -4.89]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 9:22) — (9:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 19, RECOVERED by CIN-56-J.Bynes at PIT 20. [WPA -13.6% · EPA -5.20]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 6:01) — (6:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Alexander at CIN 38. 21-M.Alexander ran ob at PIT 41 for 21 yards (18-Di.Johnson). PENALTY on [WPA -7.1% · EPA -4.89]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 0:55) — (:55) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster (24-V.Bell). Cincinnati challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisbe [WPA -11.0% · EPA -4.50]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 5:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short left to 18-Di.Johnson. PENALTY on CIN-22-W.Jackson III, Defensive Pass Interference, 11 yards, enforced at CIN 12 - No Play. [WPA +3.6% · EPA +3.55]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 5:16 · PIT 16 · Score 0-3
    (5:16) 3-A.Seibert 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  2. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 12:10 · PIT 4 · Score 0-9
    (12:10) 25-G.Bernard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 12:05 · PIT 15 · Score 0-10
    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  4. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 4:26 · PIT 14 · Score 0-16
    (4:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley pass short middle to 25-G.Bernard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-S.Tuitt]. PIT-51-A.Williamson was injured during the play.
  5. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 4:20 · PIT 15 · Score 0-17
    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 12:11 · CIN 23 · Score 6-17
    (12:11) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 12:07 · CIN 15 · Score 7-17
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 5:30 · CIN 7 · Score 10-17
    (5:30) 9-C.Boswell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 11:26 · PIT 23 · Score 10-23
    (11:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 11:21 · PIT 15 · Score 10-24
    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 5:34 · CIN 1 · Score 16-24
    (5:34) 24-B.Snell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 5:32 · CIN 15 · Score 17-24
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
  13. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 0:16 · PIT 15 · Score 17-27
    (:16) 3-A.Seibert 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

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.
  • Chase Claypool (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals on 2020-12-21?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Week 15, 2020.

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

Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cincinnati Bengals 14; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cincinnati Bengals 10; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cincinnati Bengals 27.

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

Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — G. Bernard (Q2 12:10) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — G. Bernard (R. Finley pass) (Q2 4:26) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Roethlisberger (Q3 12:11) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — R. Finley (Q4 11:26) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Snell (Q4 5:34) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — A. Seibert (Q1 5:16, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 5:30, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — A. Seibert (Q4 0:16, 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?

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 47.6% completion, -8.8% CPOE, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -9.59 total passing EPA. R. Finley (Cincinnati Bengals), 43.8% completion, +1.3% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -0.86 total passing EPA.

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

Chase Claypool (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +2.82 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.53 EPA): (12:48) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool to CIN 23 for 37 yards (30-J.Bates III)..

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 11-2 Now 11-3 L

Cincinnati Bengals

Entered 2-10 Now 3-10 W