Game story
In Week 4 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-10-02, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 16–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +11.43 total EPA.
On the individual side, C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.43 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-17.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (3:20) 8-D.Carr sacked at HOU 31 for -7 yards (90-J.Smith). FUMBLES (90-J.Smith), RECOVERED by CIN-97-J.Thornton at HOU 35. 97-J.Thornton to HOU 35 for no gain (69-C.Pitts). Play Challenged by HOU and
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Palmer · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +11.43 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 2 T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +8.74 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 3 J. Gaffney · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.57 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 4 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.26 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 5 D. Carr · Houston Texans · Rushing · +4.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
- 6 D. Davis · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.27 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 7 A. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
- 8 C. Henry · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.67 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Palmer — CIN · Passing
C. Palmer posted the highest total EPA (+11.43) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cincinnati Bengals's efficiency. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.28 EPA per play.
The signature play (-3.02 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (3:20) 8-D.Carr sacked at HOU 31 for -7 yards (90-J.Smith). FUMBLES (90-J.Smith), RECOVERED by CIN-97-J.Thornton at HOU 35. 97-J.Thornton to HOU 35 for no gain (69-C.Pitts). Play Challenged by HOU and Upheld. (Timeout #3
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — J. Johnson (C. Palmer pass)
- Houston Texans — M. Norris (D. Carr pass)
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Houston Texans — K. Brown
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 3–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the HOU 6 (Q1 49:37) — (4:37) 17-S.Graham 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CIN 10 (Q2 43:35) — (13:35) 3-K.Brown 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) 9-C.Palmer pass to 31-J.Johnson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 31:09) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q3 22:45) — (7:45) 8-D.Carr pass to 44-M.Norris for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 22:40) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 6–0. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the HOU 9 (Q4 5:07) — (5:07) 17-S.Graham 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the HOU 28 (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) 17-S.Graham 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Houston Texans (Q4 3:20) — (3:20) 8-D.Carr sacked at HOU 31 for -7 yards (90-J.Smith). FUMBLES (90-J.Smith), RECOVERED by CIN-97-J.Thornton at HOU 35. 97-J.Thornton to HOU 35 for no gain (69-C.Pitts). Play Challenged by HOU and
- Houston Texans (Q1 45:06) — (:06) 8-D.Carr pass to 37-D.Davis to CIN 21 for 11 yards (25-K.Ratliff). PENALTY on CIN-51-O.Thurman, Face Mask (5 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at CIN 21.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 16:31) — (1:31) 9-C.Palmer pass incomplete. PENALTY on CIN-9-C.Palmer, Intentional Grounding, 24 yards, enforced at HOU 16.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 19:45) — (4:45) 32-R.Johnson up the middle to HOU 28 for 15 yards (24-C.Brown).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 21:58) — (6:58) 9-C.Palmer pass to 15-C.Henry to CIN 40 for 19 yards (24-C.Brown).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q4 3:20) — (3:20) 8-D.Carr sacked at HOU 31 for -7 yards (90-J.Smith). FUMBLES (90-J.Smith), RECOVERED by CIN-97-J.Thornton at HOU 35. 97-J.Thornton to HOU 35 for no gain (69-C.Pitts). Play Challenged by HOU and
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 56:46) — (11:46) 9-C.Palmer pass to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to CIN 35 for 22 yards (31-P.Buchanon).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 31:20) — (1:20) 9-C.Palmer pass to 15-C.Henry for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on HOU-38-D.Faggins, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and REVERSED. 9-C.Palmer pass inco
- Houston Texans (Q1 45:06) — (:06) 8-D.Carr pass to 37-D.Davis to CIN 21 for 11 yards (25-K.Ratliff). PENALTY on CIN-51-O.Thurman, Face Mask (5 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at CIN 21.
Quarterback report card
C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 41 dropbacks · 61.0% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +11.43 total EPA
- D.Carr (Houston Texans) · 33 dropbacks · 51.5% completion · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.16 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.076 | +0.120 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.2% | 49.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.065 | +0.279 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.175 | -0.030 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.120 | -0.076 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.6% | 54.8% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Houston Texans +0.08, Cincinnati Bengals +0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 9 drives, +9.94 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Houston Texans: 8 drives, +5.58 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Cincinnati Bengals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 49:37 · HOU 6 · Score 0-3
(4:37) 17-S.Graham 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 43:35 · CIN 10 · Score 3-3
(13:35) 3-K.Brown 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 31:14 · HOU 1 · Score 3-9
(1:14) 9-C.Palmer pass to 31-J.Johnson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 31:09 · HOU 2 · Score 3-10
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 22:45 · CIN 4 · Score 9-10
(7:45) 8-D.Carr pass to 44-M.Norris for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 22:40 · CIN 2 · Score 10-10
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 5:07 · HOU 9 · Score 10-13
(5:07) 17-S.Graham 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 1:15 · HOU 28 · Score 10-16
(1:15) 17-S.Graham 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Houston Texans 16-10 in Week 4, 2005 on 2005-10-02.
What was the final score of Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was Houston Texans 10, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (HOU 10-16 CIN) in Week 4, 2005 on 2005-10-02.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: Houston Texans 0, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q2: Houston Texans 3, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Q3: Houston Texans 7, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: Houston Texans 0, Cincinnati Bengals 6; Final: Houston Texans 10, Cincinnati Bengals 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — J. Johnson (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 31:14) Houston Texans touchdown — M. Norris (D. Carr pass) (Q3 22:45) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q1 49:37, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q2 43:35, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q4 5:07, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q4 1:15, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals?
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals), 61.0% completion, +0.28 EPA per dropback, +11.43 total passing EPA. D. Carr (Houston Texans), 51.5% completion, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +2.16 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals?
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) led the game in total EPA with +11.43 on passing plays. across 41 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-3.02 EPA): (3:20) 8-D.Carr sacked at HOU 31 for -7 yards (90-J.Smith). FUMBLES (90-J.Smith), RECOVERED by CIN-97-J.Thornton at HOU 35. 97-J.Thornton to HOU 35 for no gain (69-C.Pitts). Play C. The biggest win-probability swing was -17.0%.
Was Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Cincinnati Bengals won 16-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 3-0 Now 4-0 W
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