Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans: 2019 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-10-06, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 53–32 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +5.26 total EPA, and +4.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Watson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +35.44 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+14.6% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (13:54) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 16-K.Coutee to ATL 18 for 51 yards (37-R.Allen). Penalty on ATL-44-V.Beasley, Defensive Offside, declined.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +35.44 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
2. 2 W. Fuller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +17.87 total EPA · 16 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Ridley · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +5.26 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Freeman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Fells · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.26 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Sanu (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 54:10)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q1 49:13)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q2 42:14)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:29)
• Houston Texans — C. Hyde (Q3 26:54)
• Houston Texans — D. Fells (D. Watson pass) (Q3 17:01)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Ryan (Q4 11:26)
• Houston Texans — D. Fells (D. Watson pass) (Q4 6:29)
• Atlanta Falcons — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 3:31)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q4 2:00)
• Houston Texans — T. Gipson (Q4 0:39)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 44:56)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q2 34:07)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q3 22:40)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the HOU 14 (Q1 54:10) — (9:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 12-M.Sanu for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 54:03) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 6 (Q1 49:13) — (4:13) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 15-W.Fuller for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 49:09) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–9. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the HOU 17 (Q2 44:56) — (14:56) 3-M.Bryant 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 33 (Q2 42:14) — (12:14) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ATL 32 (Q2 34:07) — (4:07) 7-K.Fairbairn 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the HOU 9 (Q2 30:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 24-D.Freeman for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 30:22) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 17–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 26:54) — (11:54) (Shotgun) 23-C.Hyde right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 26:51) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ATL 7 (Q3 22:40) — (7:40) 7-K.Fairbairn 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 8 (Q3 17:01) — (2:01) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 87-D.Fells for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 16:58) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 20–15. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q4 11:26); Atlanta Falcons registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 11:24) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-M.Ryan pass to 81-A.Hooper is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 12 (Q4 6:29) — (6:29) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 87-D.Fells for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 6:24) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the HOU 29 (Q4 3:31); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 3:22) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 44 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 1:51) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the HOU 35 (Q4 0:39).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Houston Texans (Q3 28:54) — (13:54) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 16-K.Coutee to ATL 18 for 51 yards (37-R.Allen). Penalty on ATL-44-V.Beasley, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA +14.6% · EPA +4.22]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:18) — (10:18) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones to HOU 30 for 20 yards (21-B.Roby) [99-J.Watt]. FUMBLES (21-B.Roby), ball out of bounds at HOU 30. PENALTY on HOU-99-J.Watt, Roughing the Passer [WPA +13.1% · EPA +3.95]
• Houston Texans (Q2 42:14) — (12:14) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +3.10]
• Houston Texans (Q1 49:13) — (4:13) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 15-W.Fuller for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.0% · EPA +1.64]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 46:24) — (1:24) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 18-C.Ridley to HOU 23 for 22 yards (24-J.Joseph). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +1.58]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 81-A.Hooper INTERCEPTED by 39-T.Gipson at HOU 21. 39-T.Gipson for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.1% · EPA -9.65]
• Houston Texans (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.0% · EPA +6.33]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 4-M.Wile punts 40 yards to HOU 16, Center-47-J.Harris. 14-D.Carter MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-28-J.Miller at HOU 16. [WPA +3.9% · EPA +5.48]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:31) — (3:31) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 18-C.Ridley for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. [WPA +3.1% · EPA +4.31]

Quarterback report card

M.Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 54 dropbacks · 59.3% completion · +4.3% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +5.26 total EPA
• D.Watson (Houston Texans) · 36 dropbacks · 77.8% completion · +17.9% CPOE · +0.98 EPA/play · +35.44 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.36 vs +0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, +8.75 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Houston Texans: 11 drives, +32.41 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Houston Texans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. Watson (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Watson (HOU) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 54:10 · HOU 14 · Score 6-0
   (9:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 12-M.Sanu for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 54:03 · HOU 15 · Score 7-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
3. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 49:13 · ATL 6 · Score 7-6
   (4:13) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 15-W.Fuller for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 49:09 · ATL 15 · Score 7-7
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 44:56 · HOU 17 · Score 10-7
   (14:56) 3-M.Bryant 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
6. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 42:14 · ATL 33 · Score 10-13
   (12:14) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 34:07 · ATL 32 · Score 10-16
   (4:07) 7-K.Fairbairn 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:29 · HOU 9 · Score 16-16
   (:29) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 24-D.Freeman for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:22 · HOU 15 · Score 17-16
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
10. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 26:54 · ATL 1 · Score 17-22
    (11:54) (Shotgun) 23-C.Hyde right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 26:51 · ATL 15 · Score 17-23
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
12. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 22:40 · ATL 7 · Score 17-26
    (7:40) 7-K.Fairbairn 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
13. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 17:01 · ATL 8 · Score 17-32
    (2:01) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 87-D.Fells for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 16:58 · ATL 15 · Score 17-33
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 11:26 · HOU 1 · Score 23-33
    (11:26) 2-M.Ryan up the middle to HOU 1 for no gain (39-T.Gipson). FUMBLES (39-T.Gipson), RECOVERED by HOU-24-J.Joseph at HOU 3. 24-J.Joseph to HOU 3 for no gai
16. Atlanta Falcons Safety (+2) — Q4 11:24 · HOU 2 · Score 25-33
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-M.Ryan pass to 81-A.Hooper is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
17. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 6:29 · ATL 12 · Score 25-39
    (6:29) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 87-D.Fells for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 6:24 · ATL 15 · Score 25-40
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
19. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 3:31 · HOU 29 · Score 31-40
    (3:31) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 18-C.Ridley for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Uphe
20. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 3:22 · HOU 15 · Score 32-40
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
21. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · ATL 44 · Score 32-46
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 1:51 · ATL 15 · Score 32-47
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
23. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 0:39 · HOU 35 · Score 32-53
    (:39) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 81-A.Hooper INTERCEPTED by 39-T.Gipson at HOU 21. 39-T.Gipson for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN.