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NFL · Week 2 · September 19, 2021 · 12 min read

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears: 2021 Week 2 Recap

Bears defeat Bengals 20–17 in Week 2

Andy Dalton led Fantasy Impact as Bears prevailed in a 17–20 Week 2 finish.

Cincinnati Bengals 17 1–1
Final 17–20
Chicago Bears 20 1–1 Winner
Winner
Chicago Bears
Final score
17–20
Top passer
Joe Burrow
FantasyHQ MVP
Andy Dalton
Game date
September 19, 2021

Top fantasy performers · Bengals

  • Ja'Marr Chase
    Ja'Marr Chase 2 REC · 54 YDS · 1 TD +7.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Chris Evans
    Chris Evans 1 REC · 14 YDS +0.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Samaje Perine
    Samaje Perine -0.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Bears

  • Andy Dalton
    Andy Dalton 9/16 · 73 YDS · 1 TD +7.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Alton Robinson
    Alton Robinson 2 REC · 24 YDS · 1 TD +3.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Darnell Mooney
    Darnell Mooney 6 REC · 66 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact
View Bengals vs Bears box score View all 2021 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Chicago Bears
Final score
Chicago Bears 20–17 Cincinnati Bengals
Halftime
Halftime score unavailable
FantasyHQ MVP
Andy Dalton
Top passer
Joe Burrow
Biggest EPA play
(11:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTE…
Game date
2021-09-19

Game summary

The Chicago Bears beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20–17 on 2021-09-19. Andy Dalton posted a game-high +7.72 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q3Q4——T
Cincinnati Bengals03140017
Chicago Bears70130020

Scoring Map

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

CINCincinnati Bengals
CHIChicago Bears

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 10:01TD
    Alton Robinson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CIN 11
    Score
    0-6

    (10:01) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 12-A.Robinson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 9:58XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 15
    Score
    0-7

    2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.

  3. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q3 8:28FG
    Evan McPherson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CHI 35
    Score
    3-7

    (8:28) 2-E.McPherson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.

  4. CHIChicago Bears
    Q4 14:55FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CIN 10
    Score
    3-10

    (14:55) 2-C.Santos 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.

  5. CHIChicago Bears
    Q4 11:07TD
    Ryan Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CHI 48
    Score
    3-16

    (11:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Smith at CHI 47. 58-R.Smith for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. CHIChicago Bears
    Q4 10:55XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CIN 15
    Score
    3-17

    2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.

  7. CHIChicago Bears
    Q4 6:43FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CIN 4
    Score
    3-20

    (6:43) 2-C.Santos 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.

  8. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 4:47TD
    Ja'Marr Chase

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CHI 42
    Score
    9-20

    (4:47) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 1-J.Chase for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 4:39XP
    Evan McPherson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CHI 15
    Score
    10-20

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

  10. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 3:43TD
    Tee Higgins

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CHI 7
    Score
    16-20

    (3:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 85-T.Higgins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. CINCincinnati Bengals
    Q4 3:39XP
    Evan McPherson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CHI 15
    Score
    17-20

    2-E.McPherson 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. 1Andy DaltonAndy Dalton · Chicago Bears · Passing · +7.72 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
  2. 2Ja'Marr ChaseJa'Marr Chase · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
  3. 3Alton RobinsonAlton Robinson · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
  4. 4Darnell MooneyDarnell Mooney · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  5. 5D.J. MontgomeryD.J. Montgomery · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.26 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  6. 6Dorian WilliamsDorian Williams · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +1.10 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
  7. 7Chris EvansChris Evans · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
  8. 8Cole KmetCole Kmet · Chicago Bears · Receiving · -0.38 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.38 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Andy Dalton

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Andy Dalton — CHI · Passing

Andy Dalton posted the highest total EPA (+7.72) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Chicago Bears. Across 16 counted snaps, they averaged +0.48 EPA per play.

Andy Dalton's top snap (+3.85 EPA): (11:30) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete deep left to 84-M.Goodwin. PENALTY on CIN-20-E.Apple, Defensive Pass Interference, 32 yards, enforced at CIN 48 - No Play.

Biggest single play (-8.81 EPA): Joe Burrow — (11:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Smith at CHI 47. 58-R.Smith for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

  • Joe BurrowJoe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · -0.1% CPOE · -0.43 EPA/play · -15.08 total EPA
  • Justin FieldsJustin Fields (Chicago Bears) · 20 dropbacks · 30.0% completion · -8.3% CPOE · -0.49 EPA/play · -9.71 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatCincinnati BengalsChicago Bears
Offensive EPA/play-0.291-0.197
Offensive success rate40.9%32.5%
Pass EPA/play-0.431-0.055
Rush EPA/play-0.193-0.387
Defensive EPA/play+0.197+0.291
Defensive success rate67.5%59.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.20 vs -0.29), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Cincinnati Bengals: -0.29 EPA/play (5th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Chicago Bears: -0.20 EPA/play (12th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Chicago Bears: 11 drives, -16.34 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, -19.22 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Alton RobinsonChicago Bears — Alton Robinson (Andy Dalton pass) (Q1 10:01)
  • Ryan SmithChicago Bears — Ryan Smith (Q4 11:07)
  • Ja'Marr ChaseCincinnati Bengals — Ja'Marr Chase (Joe Burrow pass) (Q4 4:47)
  • Tee HigginsCincinnati Bengals — Tee Higgins (Joe Burrow pass) (Q4 3:43)

Field goals

  • Evan McPhersonCincinnati Bengals — Evan McPherson (Q3 8:28)
  • Cairo SantosChicago Bears — Cairo Santos (Q4 14:55)
  • Cairo SantosChicago Bears — Cairo Santos (Q4 6:43)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CIN 11 (Q1 10:01) — (10:01) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 12-A.Robinson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 9:58) — 2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 3–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CHI 35 (Q3 8:28) — (8:28) 2-E.McPherson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–13. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the CIN 10 (Q4 14:55) — (14:55) 2-C.Santos 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CHI 48 (Q4 11:07); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 10:55) — 2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the CIN 4 (Q4 6:43) — (6:43) 2-C.Santos 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CHI 42 (Q4 4:47) — (4:47) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 1-J.Chase for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q4 4:39) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CHI 7 (Q4 3:43) — (3:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 85-T.Higgins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q4 3:39) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 11:07) — (11:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Smith at CHI 47. 58-R.Smith for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.0% · EPA -8.81]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 11:30) — (11:30) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete deep left to 84-M.Goodwin. PENALTY on CIN-20-E.Apple, Defensive Pass Interference, 32 yards, enforced at CIN 48 - No Play. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +3.85]
  • Chicago Bears (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass short middle intended for 84-M.Goodwin INTERCEPTED by 55-L.Wilson [30-J.Bates] at CHI 25. 55-L.Wilson to CHI 7 for 18 yards (8-D.Williams; 84-M.Goodwin). [WPA -13.5% · EPA -5.08]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 85-T.Higgins to CIN 49 for 14 yards (4-E.Jackson) [90-A.Blackson]. FUMBLES (4-E.Jackson), RECOVERED by CHI-38-Ta.Gipson at CHI 48. 38-Ta.Gipson to CIN [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.06]
  • Chicago Bears (Q4 2:55) — (2:55) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields scrambles left end to CHI 36 for 10 yards (96-C.Sample). [WPA +12.9% · EPA +1.37]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 11:07) — (11:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Smith at CHI 47. 58-R.Smith for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.0% · EPA -8.81]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 8:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 90-A.Blackson (44-A.Ogletree) [44-A.Ogletree] at CIN 15. 90-A.Blackson to CIN 9 for 6 yards (28-J.Mixon; 71-R.Reiff) [WPA -2.1% · EPA -5.82]
  • Chicago Bears (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass short middle intended for 84-M.Goodwin INTERCEPTED by 55-L.Wilson [30-J.Bates] at CHI 25. 55-L.Wilson to CHI 7 for 18 yards (8-D.Williams; 84-M.Goodwin). [WPA -13.5% · EPA -5.08]
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 85-T.Higgins to CIN 49 for 14 yards (4-E.Jackson) [90-A.Blackson]. FUMBLES (4-E.Jackson), RECOVERED by CHI-38-Ta.Gipson at CHI 48. 38-Ta.Gipson to CIN [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.06]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 10:01 · CIN 11 · Score 0-6
    (10:01) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 12-A.Robinson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 9:58 · CIN 15 · Score 0-7
    2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
  3. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 8:28 · CHI 35 · Score 3-7
    (8:28) 2-E.McPherson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  4. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q4 14:55 · CIN 10 · Score 3-10
    (14:55) 2-C.Santos 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
  5. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 11:07 · CHI 48 · Score 3-16
    (11:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 58-R.Smith at CHI 47. 58-R.Smith for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 10:55 · CIN 15 · Score 3-17
    2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
  7. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q4 6:43 · CIN 4 · Score 3-20
    (6:43) 2-C.Santos 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
  8. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 4:47 · CHI 42 · Score 9-20
    (4:47) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep right to 1-J.Chase for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 4:39 · CHI 15 · Score 10-20
    2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
  10. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 3:43 · CHI 7 · Score 16-20
    (3:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 85-T.Higgins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 3:39 · CHI 15 · Score 17-20
    2-E.McPherson 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.

  • Chicago Bears earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Andy Dalton (Chicago Bears) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Justin Fields (CHI) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears on 2021-09-19?

The Chicago Bears beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in Week 2, 2021.

What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears?

Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Chicago Bears 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Chicago Bears 0; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 14, Chicago Bears 13; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 17, Chicago Bears 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears?

Chicago Bears touchdown — A. Robinson (A. Dalton pass) (Q1 10:01) Chicago Bears touchdown — R. Smith (Q4 11:07) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass) (Q4 4:47) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Higgins (J. Burrow pass) (Q4 3:43) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. McPherson (Q3 8:28, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — C. Santos (Q4 14:55, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — C. Santos (Q4 6:43, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears?

Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 54.3% completion, -0.1% CPOE, -0.43 EPA per dropback, -15.08 total passing EPA. Justin Fields (Chicago Bears), 30.0% completion, -8.3% CPOE, -0.49 EPA per dropback, -9.71 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears?

Andy Dalton (Chicago Bears) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.72 total EPA on Passing plays. across 16 snaps. Their top snap (+3.85 EPA): (11:30) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete deep left to 84-M.Goodwin. PENALTY on CIN-20-E.Apple, Defensive Pass Interference, 32 yards, enforced at CIN 48 - No Play..

Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears a close game?

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

Season records after this game

Cincinnati Bengals

Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L

Chicago Bears

Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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