Quick answer
- Winner
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Final score
- Cincinnati Bengals 24–10 Pittsburgh Steelers
- Halftime
- Cincinnati Bengals 14–7 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Top passer
- B. Roethlisberger
- Biggest EPA play
- (7:59) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INT…
- Game date
- 2021-09-26
Game summary
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24–10 on 2021-09-26. Ja'Marr Chase posted a game-high +7.54 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 | |
| 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1

Ja'Marr Chase · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.54 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play - 2

Joe Burrow · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +7.05 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play - 3

Pat Freiermuth · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play - 4

Ray-Ray McCloud III · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play - 5
Chris Evans · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play - 6

Cody White · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.53 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play - 7
Michael Thomas · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.17 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play - 8
A. Tate · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.98 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
Ja'Marr Chase — CIN · Receiving
Ja'Marr Chase posted the highest total EPA (+7.54) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cincinnati Bengals. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.51 EPA per play.
Ja'Marr Chase's top snap (-4.33 EPA): (7:48) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 34-Te.Edmunds at PIT 29. 34-Te.Edmunds to PIT 44 for 15 yards (1-J.Chase; 89-D.Sample).
Biggest single play (-5.57 EPA): B. Roethlisberger — (7:59) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 55-L.Wilson at PIT 32. 55-L.Wilson to PIT 19 for 13 yards (22-N.Harris). Penalty on PIT-53-K.Green
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) · 67 dropbacks · 56.7% completion · -5.4% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -6.41 total EPA
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) · 22 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +12.1% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +7.05 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.024 | -0.172 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.6% | 31.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.321 | -0.096 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.155 | -0.434 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.172 | -0.024 |
| Defensive success rate | 68.3% | 57.4% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Cincinnati Bengals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Cincinnati Bengals: +0.02 EPA/play (57th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.17 EPA/play (16th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 12 drives, +1.47 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, -17.42 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns

Cincinnati Bengals — Tyler Boyd (Joe Burrow pass) 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Pat Freiermuth (B. Roethlisberger pass) 
Cincinnati Bengals — Ja'Marr Chase (Joe Burrow pass) 
Cincinnati Bengals — Ja'Marr Chase (Joe Burrow pass)
Field goals

Cincinnati Bengals — Evan McPherson 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell
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 PIT 17 (Q1 3:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 83-T.Boyd for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 2:54) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q2 1:09) — (1:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 88-P.Freiermuth for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 1:04) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 34 (Q2 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 1-J.Chase for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 0:37) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the PIT 25 (Q3 8:51) — (8:51) 2-E.McPherson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the PIT 9 (Q3 6:25) — (6:25) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 1-J.Chase for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q3 6:18) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CIN 8 (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) 9-C.Boswell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 1-J.Chase for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 7:59) — (7:59) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 55-L.Wilson at PIT 32. 55-L.Wilson to PIT 19 for 13 yards (22-N.Harris). Penalty on PIT-53-K.Green
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 7:48) — (7:48) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 34-Te.Edmunds at PIT 29. 34-Te.Edmunds to PIT 44 for 15 yards (1-J.Chase; 89-D.Sample).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 5:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 1-J.Chase pushed ob at PIT 25 for 15 yards (23-J.Haden; 34-Te.Edmunds).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 3:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 83-T.Boyd for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 7:59) — (7:59) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 55-L.Wilson at PIT 32. 55-L.Wilson to PIT 19 for 13 yards (22-N.Harris). Penalty on PIT-53-K.Green
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 7:48) — (7:48) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 34-Te.Edmunds at PIT 29. 34-Te.Edmunds to PIT 44 for 15 yards (1-J.Chase; 89-D.Sample).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 1-J.Chase for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 6:51) — (6:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 11-C.Claypool INTERCEPTED by 55-L.Wilson [94-S.Hubbard] at PIT 42. 55-L.Wilson to PIT 42 for no gain (51-T.Turner).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 3:03 · PIT 17 · Score 6-0
(3:03) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 83-T.Boyd for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 2:54 · PIT 15 · Score 7-0
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 1:09 · CIN 4 · Score 7-6
(1:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 88-P.Freiermuth for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 1:04 · CIN 15 · Score 7-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 0:43 · PIT 34 · Score 13-7
(:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 1-J.Chase for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 0:37 · PIT 15 · Score 14-7
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 8:51 · PIT 25 · Score 17-7
(8:51) 2-E.McPherson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 6:25 · PIT 9 · Score 23-7
(6:25) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass short middle to 1-J.Chase for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 6:18 · PIT 15 · Score 24-7
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 8:12 · CIN 8 · Score 24-10
(8:12) 9-C.Boswell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
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.
- Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
- Joe Burrow (CIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2021-09-26?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-10 in Week 3, 2021.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Boyd (J. Burrow pass) (Q1 3:03) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Freiermuth (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 1:09) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass) (Q2 0:43) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Chase (J. Burrow pass) (Q3 6:25) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. McPherson (Q3 8:51, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 8:12, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 56.7% completion, -5.4% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -6.41 total passing EPA. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 63.6% completion, +12.1% CPOE, +0.32 EPA per dropback, +7.05 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.54 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps. Their top snap (-4.33 EPA): (7:48) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Boyd INTERCEPTED by 34-Te.Edmunds at PIT 29. 34-Te.Edmunds to PIT 44 for 15 yards (1-J.Chase; 89-D.Sample)..
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L