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.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 | |
| 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1

Chase Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play - 2
Germie Bernard · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.67 EPA/play - 3

Art Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play - 4

Anthony McFarland Jr. · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.74 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play - 5
R. Finley · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +0.57 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play - 6
Benny Snell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play - 7

Tee Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.31 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play - 8
J. 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.

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.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.215 | -0.110 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.7% | 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 rate | 59.7% | 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
Cincinnati Bengals — Germie Bernard (R. Finley pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger
Cincinnati Bengals — R. Finley
Pittsburgh Steelers — Benny Snell
Field goals

Cincinnati Bengals — Austin Seibert 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell 
Cincinnati Bengals — Austin Seibert
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.
- 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
- 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.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 12:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 25-G.Bernard right end to CIN 29 for -5 yards (90-T.Watt).
- 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
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
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.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 12:10 · PIT 4 · Score 0-9
(12:10) 25-G.Bernard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 11:26 · PIT 23 · Score 10-23
(11:26) (Shotgun) 5-R.Finley left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 5:34 · CIN 1 · Score 16-24
(5:34) 24-B.Snell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
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.
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