Game story
In Week 13 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-01, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 19–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Carr (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with -15.29 total EPA.
On the individual side, M. Harrison (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-13.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (11:16) 32-J.Wells right tackle to HOU 16 for 3 yards (21-W.Harris). FUMBLES (21-W.Harris), RECOVERED by IND-92-C.Bratzke at HOU 17. 92-C.Bratzke to HOU 17 for no gain (85-C.Bradford).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 10 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Harrison · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.24 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 2 M. Pollard · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.10 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.10 EPA/play
- 3 R. Wayne · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 4 J. Dawson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.67 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 5 J. Allen · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.14 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 6 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · -0.04 total EPA · 30 snaps · -0.00 EPA/play
- 7 J. Davenport · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · -0.08 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.08 EPA/play
- 8 J. Mungro · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · -0.25 total EPA · 5 snaps · -0.05 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Harrison — IND · Receiving
M. Harrison posted the highest total EPA (+3.24) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Indianapolis Colts's efficiency. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.29 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.06 EPA) came from Houston Texans: 13-M.Vanderjagt kicks 64 yards from IND 30 to HOU 6. 83-F.Murphy MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by IND-34-J.Doering at HOU 16. 34-J.Doering to HOU 16 for no gain (83-F.Murphy).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Indianapolis Colts — M. Pollard (P. Manning pass)
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Mungro
Field goals
- Indianapolis Colts — M. Vanderjagt
- Indianapolis Colts — M. Vanderjagt
- Houston Texans — K. Brown
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 10–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 14 (Q1 54:03) — (9:03) 13-M.Vanderjagt 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 16 (Q1 53:52) — (8:52) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 53:47) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..
The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 3–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 28 (Q2 41:52) — (11:52) 13-M.Vanderjagt 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..
The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 6–3. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q4 8:16) — (8:16) 23-J.Mungro up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 17 (Q4 3:55) — (3:55) 3-K.Brown 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Houston Texans (Q1 56:16) — (11:16) 32-J.Wells right tackle to HOU 16 for 3 yards (21-W.Harris). FUMBLES (21-W.Harris), RECOVERED by IND-92-C.Bratzke at HOU 17. 92-C.Bratzke to HOU 17 for no gain (85-C.Bradford).
- Houston Texans (Q1 54:00) — 13-M.Vanderjagt kicks 64 yards from IND 30 to HOU 6. 83-F.Murphy MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by IND-34-J.Doering at HOU 16. 34-J.Doering to HOU 16 for no gain (83-F.Murphy).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 53:52) — (8:52) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q1 58:28) — (13:28) 7-C.Stanley punts 52 yards to IND 19, Center-80-S.McDermott, downed by HOU-33-J.Bell.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 56:28) — (11:28) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete to 87-R.Wayne.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q1 54:00) — 13-M.Vanderjagt kicks 64 yards from IND 30 to HOU 6. 83-F.Murphy MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by IND-34-J.Doering at HOU 16. 34-J.Doering to HOU 16 for no gain (83-F.Murphy).
- Houston Texans (Q1 56:16) — (11:16) 32-J.Wells right tackle to HOU 16 for 3 yards (21-W.Harris). FUMBLES (21-W.Harris), RECOVERED by IND-92-C.Bratzke at HOU 17. 92-C.Bratzke to HOU 17 for no gain (85-C.Bradford).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 0:37) — (:37) 18-P.Manning kneels to HOU 8 for -1 yards.
- Houston Texans (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) 7-C.Stanley punts 34 yards to IND 20, Center-80-S.McDermott. 86-T.Walters MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by HOU-33-J.Bell at IND 21. 33-J.Bell to IND 21 for no gain (86-T.Walters).
Quarterback report card
D.Carr led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Carr (Houston Texans) · 43 dropbacks · 46.5% completion · -0.36 EPA/play · -15.29 total EPA
- P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 30 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.301 | -0.119 |
| Offensive success rate | 33.7% | 38.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.356 | -0.001 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.514 | -0.242 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.119 | +0.301 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.2% | 66.3% |
By the numbers
Indianapolis Colts held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.12 vs -0.30), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Houston Texans: 15 drives, -25.91 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 15 drives, -10.14 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Indianapolis Colts leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- M. Harrison (Indianapolis Colts) 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.
- Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 54:03 · HOU 14 · Score 0-3
(9:03) 13-M.Vanderjagt 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 53:52 · HOU 16 · Score 0-9
(8:52) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 53:47 · HOU 2 · Score 0-10
13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 41:52 · HOU 28 · Score 0-13
(11:52) 13-M.Vanderjagt 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 8:16 · HOU 1 · Score 0-19
(8:16) 23-J.Mungro up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 3:55 · IND 17 · Score 3-19
(3:55) 3-K.Brown 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 19-3 in Week 13, 2002 on 2002-12-01.
What was the final score of Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
The final score was Houston Texans 3, Indianapolis Colts 19 (HOU 3-19 IND) in Week 13, 2002 on 2002-12-01.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
Q1: Houston Texans 0, Indianapolis Colts 10; Q2: Houston Texans 0, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q4: Houston Texans 3, Indianapolis Colts 6; Final: Houston Texans 3, Indianapolis Colts 19.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
Indianapolis Colts touchdown — M. Pollard (P. Manning pass) (Q1 53:52) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Mungro (Q4 8:16) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Vanderjagt (Q1 54:03, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Vanderjagt (Q2 41:52, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q4 3:55, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
D. Carr (Houston Texans), 46.5% completion, -0.36 EPA per dropback, -15.29 total passing EPA. P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts), 50.0% completion, -0.00 EPA per dropback, -0.04 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
M. Harrison (Indianapolis Colts) led the game in total EPA with +3.24 on receiving plays. across 11 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.06 EPA): 13-M.Vanderjagt kicks 64 yards from IND 30 to HOU 6. 83-F.Murphy MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by IND-34-J.Doering at HOU 16. 34-J.Doering to HOU 16 for no gain (83-F.Murphy).. The biggest win-probability swing was -13.7%.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 3-8 Now 3-9 L
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 7-4 Now 8-4 W
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