Game story
In Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-20, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 27–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Watson (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with +9.75 total EPA, and +16.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D. Watson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+22.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (2:29) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 3 for 41 yards (32-L.Johnson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 14 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +9.75 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 2 P. Rivers · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +8.81 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 3 Z. Pascal · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +8.54 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
- 4 D. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 5 C. Hansen · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.06 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
- 6 T. Hilton · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 7 B. Cooks · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.57 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 8 J. Akins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Watson — HOU · Passing
D. Watson posted the highest total EPA (+9.75) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Houston Texans's efficiency. Across 50 counted snaps, they averaged +0.19 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.16 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (3:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at HOU 45 for -6 yards (99-D.Buckner). FUMBLES (99-D.Buckner) [99-D.Buckner], touched at HOU 44, RECOVERED by IND-50-J.Houston at HOU 42. #99 Buckner sack for 7 yards.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Taylor
- Indianapolis Colts — Z. Pascal (P. Rivers pass)
- Houston Texans — C. Hansen (D. Watson pass)
- Houston Texans — K. Coutee (D. Watson pass)
- Indianapolis Colts — Z. Pascal (P. Rivers pass)
Field goals
- Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn
- Indianapolis Colts — R. Blankenship
- Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn
- Indianapolis Colts — R. Blankenship
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 14–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q1 50:55) — (5:55) 28-J.Taylor right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 50:49) — 3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 11 (Q1 45:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 14-Z.Pascal for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 45:52) — 3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 38 (Q2 33:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 17-C.Hansen for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 33:46) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 5 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 7-K.Fairbairn 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 17 (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) 3-R.Blankenship 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 13 (Q3 16:22) — (1:22) 7-K.Fairbairn 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..
The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 10–7. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 35 (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) 3-R.Blankenship 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 9 (Q4 7:30) — (7:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 16-K.Coutee for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 7:25) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 14-Z.Pascal for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 1:47) — 3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 2:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 3 for 41 yards (32-L.Johnson).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 3:21) — (3:21) 7-J.Brissett up the middle to HOU 34 for 2 yards (41-Z.Cunningham, 50-T.Adams).
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 16-K.Coutee to IND 2 for 13 yards (53-D.Leonard). FUMBLES (53-D.Leonard), RECOVERED by IND-58-B.Okereke at IND -6. Touchback.
- Houston Texans (Q3 22:35) — (7:35) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 31-D.Johnson to IND 38 for 31 yards (53-D.Leonard).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 4:49) — (4:49) 28-J.Taylor up the middle to HOU 42 for -2 yards (41-Z.Cunningham, 91-C.Watkins).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q1 48:25) — (3:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at HOU 45 for -6 yards (99-D.Buckner). FUMBLES (99-D.Buckner) [99-D.Buckner], touched at HOU 44, RECOVERED by IND-50-J.Houston at HOU 42. #99 Buckner sack for 7 yard
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 2:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 3 for 41 yards (32-L.Johnson).
- Houston Texans (Q3 22:35) — (7:35) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 31-D.Johnson to IND 38 for 31 yards (53-D.Leonard).
- Houston Texans (Q2 33:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 17-C.Hansen for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
D.Watson led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Watson (Houston Texans) · 50 dropbacks · 66.0% completion · +16.4% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +9.75 total EPA
- P.Rivers (Indianapolis Colts) · 30 dropbacks · 73.3% completion · +7.1% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +8.81 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.089 | +0.227 |
| Offensive success rate | 53.5% | 50.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.195 | +0.268 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.014 | +0.253 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.227 | -0.089 |
| Defensive success rate | 49.3% | 46.5% |
By the numbers
Indianapolis Colts held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Houston Texans: 8 drives, +7.66 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 8 drives, +15.19 total EPA, 5 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- 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.
- P. Rivers (IND) 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.
- Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 50:55 · HOU 5 · Score 0-6
(5:55) 28-J.Taylor right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 50:49 · HOU 15 · Score 0-7
3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 45:57 · HOU 11 · Score 0-13
(:57) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 14-Z.Pascal for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 45:52 · HOU 15 · Score 0-14
3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 33:56 · IND 38 · Score 6-14
(3:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 17-C.Hansen for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 33:46 · IND 15 · Score 7-14
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · IND 5 · Score 10-14
(:05) 7-K.Fairbairn 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q3 23:31 · HOU 17 · Score 10-17
(8:31) 3-R.Blankenship 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 16:22 · IND 13 · Score 13-17
(1:22) 7-K.Fairbairn 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q4 13:36 · HOU 35 · Score 13-20
(13:36) 3-R.Blankenship 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 7:30 · IND 9 · Score 19-20
(7:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 16-K.Coutee for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 7:25 · IND 15 · Score 20-20
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 1:53 · HOU 5 · Score 20-26
(1:53) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 14-Z.Pascal for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 1:47 · HOU 15 · Score 20-27
3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 27-20 in Week 15, 2020 on 2020-12-20.
What was the final score of Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
The final score was Houston Texans 20, Indianapolis Colts 27 (HOU 20-27 IND) in Week 15, 2020 on 2020-12-20.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
Q1: Houston Texans 0, Indianapolis Colts 14; Q2: Houston Texans 10, Indianapolis Colts 0; Q3: Houston Texans 3, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q4: Houston Texans 7, Indianapolis Colts 10; Final: Houston Texans 20, Indianapolis Colts 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Taylor (Q1 50:55) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — Z. Pascal (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 45:57) Houston Texans touchdown — C. Hansen (D. Watson pass) (Q2 33:56) Houston Texans touchdown — K. Coutee (D. Watson pass) (Q4 7:30) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — Z. Pascal (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 1:53) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — R. Blankenship (Q3 23:31, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q3 16:22, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — R. Blankenship (Q4 13:36, 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. Watson (Houston Texans), 66.0% completion, +16.4% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +9.75 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Indianapolis Colts), 73.3% completion, +7.1% CPOE, +0.29 EPA per dropback, +8.81 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?
D. Watson (Houston Texans) led the game in total EPA with +9.75 on passing plays. across 50 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.16 EPA): (3:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at HOU 45 for -6 yards (99-D.Buckner). FUMBLES (99-D.Buckner) [99-D.Buckner], touched at HOU 44, RECOVERED by IND-50-J.Houston at HOU 42. #99 Buc. The biggest win-probability swing was +22.7%.
Was Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Indianapolis Colts won 27-20 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 4-9 Now 4-10 L
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 9-4 Now 10-4 W
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