Game story
In Week 9 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-11-07, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 17–9 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Taylor (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with -19.07 total EPA, and -3.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Conley (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.64 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+17.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (5:43) 11-C.Johnston punts 48 yards to MIA 13, Center-46-J.Weeks. 8-J.Holland to MIA 23 for 10 yards (33-A.Moore). FUMBLES (33-A.Moore), RECOVERED by HOU-57-K.Pierre-Louis at MIA 23.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Conley · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
- 2 A. Auclair · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
- 3 M. Gesicki · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 4 M. Hollins · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
- 5 N. Collins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 6 D. Smythe · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
- 7 A. Shaheen · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 8 M. Gaskin · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.20 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Conley — HOU · Receiving
C. Conley posted the highest total EPA (+3.64) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Houston Texans's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +1.21 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.37 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (10:46) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left intended for 13-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 8-J.Holland [29-Br.Jones] at MIA -7. Touchback.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — M. Gaskin
- Miami Dolphins — M. Hollins (J. Brissett pass)
Field goals
- Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn
- Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn
- Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders
- Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the HOU 6 (Q1 49:41) — (4:41) Direct snap to 37-M.Gaskin. 37-M.Gaskin right tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 49:37) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–6. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 13 (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) 7-K.Fairbairn 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 22 (Q2 34:37) — (4:37) 7-K.Fairbairn 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the HOU 24 (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) 7-J.Sanders 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q2 30:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 14-J.Brissett pass short middle to 86-M.Hollins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 30:29) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy..
The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 1 (Q4 11:35) — (11:35) 7-K.Fairbairn 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Houston Texans (Q2 35:43) — (5:43) 11-C.Johnston punts 48 yards to MIA 13, Center-46-J.Weeks. 8-J.Holland to MIA 23 for 10 yards (33-A.Moore). FUMBLES (33-A.Moore), RECOVERED by HOU-57-K.Pierre-Louis at MIA 23.
- Houston Texans (Q1 55:46) — (10:46) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left intended for 13-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 8-J.Holland [29-Br.Jones] at MIA -7. Touchback.
- Houston Texans (Q2 30:59) — (:59) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short left INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Baker at HOU 26. 55-J.Baker ran ob at HOU 26 for no gain. Penalty on HOU-72-G.Christian, Offensive Holding, declined.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 7:57) — (7:57) (Shotgun) 14-J.Brissett sacked at HOU 41 for -6 yards (54-J.Martin). FUMBLES (54-J.Martin) [54-J.Martin], RECOVERED by HOU-97-M.Collins at HOU 40.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 53:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 14-J.Brissett pass deep left to 88-M.Gesicki to HOU 29 for 18 yards (23-E.Murray).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q1 55:46) — (10:46) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left intended for 13-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 8-J.Holland [29-Br.Jones] at MIA -7. Touchback.
- Houston Texans (Q2 35:43) — (5:43) 11-C.Johnston punts 48 yards to MIA 13, Center-46-J.Weeks. 8-J.Holland to MIA 23 for 10 yards (33-A.Moore). FUMBLES (33-A.Moore), RECOVERED by HOU-57-K.Pierre-Louis at MIA 23.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 7:57) — (7:57) (Shotgun) 14-J.Brissett sacked at HOU 41 for -6 yards (54-J.Martin). FUMBLES (54-J.Martin) [54-J.Martin], RECOVERED by HOU-97-M.Collins at HOU 40.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 26:46) — (11:46) (Shotgun) 14-J.Brissett pass short middle intended for 17-J.Waddle INTERCEPTED by 97-M.Collins (90-R.Blacklock) at HOU 44. 97-M.Collins to HOU 44 for no gain (73-A.Jackson).
Quarterback report card
T.Taylor led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Taylor (Houston Texans) · 51 dropbacks · 47.1% completion · -3.4% CPOE · -0.37 EPA/play · -19.07 total EPA
- J.Brissett (Miami Dolphins) · 50 dropbacks · 52.0% completion · +1.1% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.59 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Miami Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.199 | -0.124 |
| Offensive success rate | 33.3% | 41.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.374 | -0.012 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.213 | -0.470 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.124 | +0.199 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.4% | 66.7% |
By the numbers
Miami Dolphins held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.12 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Houston Texans: 14 drives, -16.75 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, -11.05 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- C. Conley (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Taylor (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.
- Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 49:41 · HOU 6 · Score 0-6
(4:41) Direct snap to 37-M.Gaskin. 37-M.Gaskin right tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 49:37 · HOU 15 · Score 0-7
7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 39:52 · MIA 13 · Score 3-7
(9:52) 7-K.Fairbairn 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 34:37 · MIA 22 · Score 6-7
(4:37) 7-K.Fairbairn 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 31:12 · HOU 24 · Score 6-10
(1:12) 7-J.Sanders 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 30:33 · HOU 5 · Score 6-16
(:33) (Shotgun) 14-J.Brissett pass short middle to 86-M.Hollins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 30:29 · HOU 15 · Score 6-17
7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 11:35 · MIA 1 · Score 9-17
(11:35) 7-K.Fairbairn 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?
The Miami Dolphins beat the Houston Texans 17-9 in Week 9, 2021 on 2021-11-07.
What was the final score of Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?
The final score was Houston Texans 9, Miami Dolphins 17 (HOU 9-17 MIA) in Week 9, 2021 on 2021-11-07.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?
Q1: Houston Texans 0, Miami Dolphins 7; Q2: Houston Texans 6, Miami Dolphins 10; Q4: Houston Texans 3, Miami Dolphins 0; Final: Houston Texans 9, Miami Dolphins 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — M. Gaskin (Q1 49:41) Miami Dolphins touchdown — M. Hollins (J. Brissett pass) (Q2 30:33) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 39:52, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 34:37, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — J. Sanders (Q2 31:12, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q4 11:35, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?
T. Taylor (Houston Texans), 47.1% completion, -3.4% CPOE, -0.37 EPA per dropback, -19.07 total passing EPA. J. Brissett (Miami Dolphins), 52.0% completion, +1.1% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.59 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?
C. Conley (Houston Texans) led the game in total EPA with +3.64 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.37 EPA): (10:46) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left intended for 13-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 8-J.Holland [29-Br.Jones] at MIA -7. Touchback.. The biggest win-probability swing was +17.5%.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 1-7 Now 1-8 L
Miami Dolphins
Entered 1-7 Now 2-7 W
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