Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions: 2012 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-11-22, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +4.96 total EPA, and -11.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Johnson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-40.1% win probability) landed in overtime when Houston Texans changed the game: (9:43) 17-S.Graham 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.

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 A. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +9.35 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Scheffler · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.51 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Forsett · Houston Texans · Rushing · +5.08 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +4.96 total EPA · 67 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.58 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Schaub · Houston Texans · Passing · +4.56 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Broyles · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.12 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Foster · Houston Texans · Rushing · +2.85 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.14 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

• Detroit Lions — M. Leshoure (Q1 55:01)
• Houston Texans — A. Foster (Q2 41:02)
• Detroit Lions — M. Thomas (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 36:04)
• Houston Texans — O. Daniels (M. Schaub pass) (Q2 32:15)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 31:56)
• Detroit Lions — J. Bell (Q4 13:36)
• Houston Texans — A. Foster (Q4 1:58)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 22:08)
• Houston Texans — S. Graham (Q3 17:40)
• Houston Texans — S. Graham (OT 2:25)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q1 55:01) — (10:01) (Shotgun) 25-M.Leshoure left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 54:58) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q2 41:02) — (11:02) 23-A.Foster left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 40:57) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q2 36:04) — (6:04) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 19-M.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 36:00) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 9 (Q2 32:15) — (2:15) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 81-O.Daniels for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 32:11) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 22 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 81-C.Johnson for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 31:49) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 11–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the HOU 28 (Q3 22:08) — (7:08) 4-J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q3 21:35) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the HOU 80 (Q3 21:35) — (6:35) 19-M.Thomas left end pushed ob at DET 34 for 14 yards (51-D.Sharpton).; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DET 27 (Q3 17:40) — (2:40) 17-S.Graham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 23 (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 13:31) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) 23-A.Foster left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 1:55) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones..

Overtime: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DET 14 (OT 2:25) — (2:25) 17-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones..

Turning points

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

• Houston Texans (OT 9:43) — (9:43) 17-S.Graham 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones. [WPA -40.1% · EPA -3.60]
• Detroit Lions (OT 14:06) — (14:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 87-B.Pettigrew to HOU 32 for 8 yards (38-D.Manning). FUMBLES (38-D.Manning), RECOVERED by HOU-51-D.Sharpton at HOU 35. 51-D.Sharpton to HOU 35 for n [WPA -34.9% · EPA -4.15]
• Houston Texans (OT 3:04) — (3:04) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 86-J.Casey to DET 14 for 11 yards (55-S.Tulloch). [WPA +27.1% · EPA -0.79]
• Detroit Lions (OT 6:27) — (6:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 85-T.Scheffler pushed ob at HOU 28 for 14 yards (38-D.Manning). [WPA +26.6% · EPA +2.16]
• Houston Texans (OT 3:46) — (3:46) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 80-A.Johnson to DET 25 for 23 yards (23-C.Houston). The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +26.4% · EPA +1.80]

Impact plays

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

• Houston Texans (Q3 21:50) — (6:50) 28-J.Forsett up the middle for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on Detoit head coach. PENALTY on DET, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +7.20]
• Houston Texans (OT 7:18) — (7:18) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle intended for 80-A.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 23-C.Houston at HOU 43. 23-C.Houston to HOU 41 for 2 yards (80-A.Johnson). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -4.60]
• Detroit Lions (OT 14:06) — (14:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 87-B.Pettigrew to HOU 32 for 8 yards (38-D.Manning). FUMBLES (38-D.Manning), RECOVERED by HOU-51-D.Sharpton at HOU 35. 51-D.Sharpton to HOU 35 for n [WPA -34.9% · EPA -4.15]
• Houston Texans (Q2 33:48) — (3:48) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass deep left to 80-A.Johnson pushed ob at DET 12 for 43 yards (26-L.Delmas). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.82]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 67 dropbacks · 46.3% completion · -11.0% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +4.96 total EPA
• M.Schaub (Houston Texans) · 51 dropbacks · 56.9% completion · -4.0% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Houston Texans generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs +0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 16 drives, +1.87 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Houston Texans: 16 drives, +9.14 total EPA, 6 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A. Johnson (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Schaub (HOU) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 55:01 · HOU 2 · Score 0-6
   (10:01) (Shotgun) 25-M.Leshoure left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 54:58 · HOU 2 · Score 0-7
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
3. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 41:02 · DET 6 · Score 6-7
   (11:02) 23-A.Foster left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 40:57 · DET 2 · Score 7-7
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 36:04 · HOU 5 · Score 7-13
   (6:04) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 19-M.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 36:00 · HOU 2 · Score 7-14
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
7. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 32:15 · DET 9 · Score 13-14
   (2:15) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 81-O.Daniels for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 32:11 · DET 2 · Score 14-14
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 31:56 · HOU 22 · Score 14-20
   (1:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 81-C.Johnson for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 31:49 · HOU 2 · Score 14-21
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
11. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 22:08 · HOU 28 · Score 14-24
    (7:08) 4-J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
12. Houston Texans TD (+7) — Q3 21:35 · DET 2 · Score 21-24
    17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 21:35 · HOU 80 · Score 21-24
    (6:35) 19-M.Thomas left end pushed ob at DET 34 for 14 yards (51-D.Sharpton).
14. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 17:40 · DET 27 · Score 24-24
    (2:40) 17-S.Graham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
15. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 13:36 · HOU 23 · Score 24-30
    (13:36) (Shotgun) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 13:31 · HOU 2 · Score 24-31
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
17. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 1:58 · DET 1 · Score 30-31
    (1:58) 23-A.Foster left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 1:55 · DET 2 · Score 31-31
    17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
19. Houston Texans FG (+3) — OT 2:25 · DET 14 · Score 34-31
    (2:25) 17-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.