Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions: 2020 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-11-26, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 41–25 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +1.43 total EPA, and -2.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Watson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.11 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (4:45) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 45-J.Cabinda INTERCEPTED by 99-J.Watt at DET 19. 99-J.Watt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · +20.11 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
2. 2 W. Fuller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +14.06 total EPA · 7 snaps · +2.01 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Sanu · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.20 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Cooks · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Hockenson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.12 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
8. 8 Q. Cephus · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.92 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 — A. Peterson (Q1 51:57)
• Houston Texans — J. Watt (Q1 49:45)
• Houston Texans — C. Prosise (D. Watson pass) (Q1 48:03)
• Detroit Lions — A. Peterson (Q2 43:00)
• Houston Texans — D. Johnson (D. Watson pass) (Q2 40:24)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q4 12:16)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q4 10:17)
• Detroit Lions — M. Sanu (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 6:37)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q2 31:49)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q3 22:28)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q3 18:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 13–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q1 51:57) — (6:57) 28-A.Peterson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 51:54) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the HOU 75 (Q1 49:45) — (4:45) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 45-J.Cabinda INTERCEPTED by 99-J.Watt at DET 19. 99-J.Watt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q1 48:03) — (3:03) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 24-C.Prosise for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 47:58) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q2 43:00) — (13:00) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 42:56) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 33 (Q2 40:24) — (10:24) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 25-D.Johnson for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 40:18) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DET 23 (Q2 31:49) — (1:49) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the HOU 11 (Q3 22:28) — (7:28) 5-M.Prater 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DET 8 (Q3 18:14) — (3:14) 7-K.Fairbairn 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 15–8. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 40 (Q4 12:16) — (12:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q4 12:09) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Watson pass to 16-K.Coutee is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DET 34 (Q4 10:17) — (10:17) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 10:07) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the HOU 14 (Q4 6:37) — (6:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 12-M.Sanu for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 6:32) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 12-M.Sanu is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 49:45) — (4:45) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 45-J.Cabinda INTERCEPTED by 99-J.Watt at DET 19. 99-J.Watt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -8.69]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 49:32) — (4:32) 41-J.Williams right tackle to DET 28 for 5 yards (50-T.Adams, 90-R.Blacklock). FUMBLES (50-T.Adams), touched at DET 28, RECOVERED by HOU-21-B.Roby at DET 30. 21-B.Roby to DET 30 for no gain (76 [WPA -17.9% · EPA -5.37]
• Houston Texans (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 24-C.Prosise up the middle to HOU 25 for 4 yards (58-J.Collins). FUMBLES (58-J.Collins), RECOVERED by DET-51-J.Tavai at HOU 26. [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.30]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 33-K.Johnson up the middle to HOU 22 for 5 yards (92-B.Dunn, 50-T.Adams). Houston challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 33-K.Johnson [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.10]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 53:35) — (8:35) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 88-T.Hockenson to HOU 17 for 51 yards (32-L.Johnson). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.25]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 49:45) — (4:45) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 45-J.Cabinda INTERCEPTED by 99-J.Watt at DET 19. 99-J.Watt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -8.69]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 49:32) — (4:32) 41-J.Williams right tackle to DET 28 for 5 yards (50-T.Adams, 90-R.Blacklock). FUMBLES (50-T.Adams), touched at DET 28, RECOVERED by HOU-21-B.Roby at DET 30. 21-B.Roby to DET 30 for no gain (76 [WPA -17.9% · EPA -5.37]
• Houston Texans (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 24-C.Prosise up the middle to HOU 25 for 4 yards (58-J.Collins). FUMBLES (58-J.Collins), RECOVERED by DET-51-J.Tavai at HOU 26. [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.30]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 33-K.Johnson up the middle to HOU 22 for 5 yards (92-B.Dunn, 50-T.Adams). Houston challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 33-K.Johnson [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.10]

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) · 52 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · -2.6% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.43 total EPA
• D.Watson (Houston Texans) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · +11.0% CPOE · +0.57 EPA/play · +20.11 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 (+0.11 vs -0.15), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -14.48 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Houston Texans: 13 drives, +8.14 total EPA, 5 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.
• 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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 51:57 · HOU 1 · Score 0-6
   (6:57) 28-A.Peterson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 51:54 · HOU 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
3. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 49:45 · HOU 75 · Score 6-7
   (4:45) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 45-J.Cabinda INTERCEPTED by 99-J.Watt at DET 19. 99-J.Watt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 48:03 · DET 2 · Score 12-7
   (3:03) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 24-C.Prosise for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 47:58 · DET 15 · Score 13-7
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 43:00 · HOU 1 · Score 13-13
   (13:00) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 42:56 · HOU 15 · Score 13-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
8. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 40:24 · DET 33 · Score 19-14
   (10:24) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 25-D.Johnson for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 40:18 · DET 15 · Score 20-14
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
10. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 31:49 · DET 23 · Score 23-14
    (1:49) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
11. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 22:28 · HOU 11 · Score 23-17
    (7:28) 5-M.Prater 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
12. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 18:14 · DET 8 · Score 26-17
    (3:14) 7-K.Fairbairn 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
13. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 12:16 · DET 40 · Score 32-17
    (12:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Houston Texans Safety (+2) — Q4 12:09 · DET 2 · Score 34-17
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Watson pass to 16-K.Coutee is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
15. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 10:17 · DET 34 · Score 40-17
    (10:17) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 10:07 · DET 15 · Score 41-17
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
17. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 6:37 · HOU 14 · Score 41-23
    (6:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 12-M.Sanu for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q4 6:32 · HOU 2 · Score 41-25
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 12-M.Sanu is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.