Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints: 2011 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-09-25, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 40–33 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 37 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +11.87 total EPA, and +4.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+24.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (2:54) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 80-J.Graham to HOU 26 for 28 yards (38-D.Manning). PENALTY on HOU-38-D.Manning, Personal Foul, 13 yards, enforced at HOU 26. Pass 23, YAC 5, Penalty 13

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. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +11.87 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Schaub · Houston Texans · Passing · +11.59 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +11.24 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Casey · Houston Texans · Receiving · +11.03 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.10 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Sproles · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.88 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Walter · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
8. 8 O. Daniels · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.40 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

• Houston Texans — O. Daniels (M. Schaub pass) (Q1 55:18)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Sproles (Q2 38:30)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q3 25:42)
• Houston Texans — J. Casey (M. Schaub pass) (Q4 15:00)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q4 9:35)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q4 7:14)
• Houston Texans — K. Walter (M. Schaub pass) (Q4 4:21)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q4 2:47)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q1 48:20)
• Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q2 36:24)
• Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q2 33:56)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Kasay (Q2 30:38)
• Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q3 20:12)

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 10–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 14 (Q1 55:18) — (10:18) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 81-O.Daniels for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 7; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 55:13) — 4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NO 4 (Q1 48:20) — (3:20) 4-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–6. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 30 (Q2 38:30) — (8:30) 43-D.Sproles right end for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 38:23) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NO 9 (Q2 36:24) — (6:24) 4-N.Rackers 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NO 9 (Q2 33:56) — (3:56) 4-N.Rackers 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the HOU 17 (Q2 30:38) — (:38) 2-J.Kasay 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q3 25:42) — (10:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 17-R.Meachem for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 25:34) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NO 18 (Q3 20:12) — (5:12) 4-N.Rackers 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 23–14. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 26 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass deep right to 86-J.Casey for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 14:54) — 4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 27 (Q4 9:35) — (9:35) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 21, YAC 6; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 9:30) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 16 (Q4 7:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 16-L.Moore for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 16, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 7:10) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 16-L.Moore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 20 (Q4 4:21); Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 4:13) — 4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 13 (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) 28-M.Ingram left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 2:42) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 16-L.Moore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:54) — (2:54) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 80-J.Graham to HOU 26 for 28 yards (38-D.Manning). PENALTY on HOU-38-D.Manning, Personal Foul, 13 yards, enforced at HOU 26. Pass 23, YAC 5, Penalty 13 [WPA +24.7% · EPA +3.73]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 17:10) — (2:10) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Manning at HOU 36. 38-D.Manning pushed ob at NO 42 for 22 yards (17-R.Meachem). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -5.44]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 16-L.Moore for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 16, YAC 0 [WPA +16.0% · EPA +3.17]
• Houston Texans (Q4 9:15) — (9:15) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle intended for 80-A.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Greer at HOU 49. 33-J.Greer to HOU 47 for 2 yards (80-A.Johnson). [WPA -14.7% · EPA -3.11]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:15) — (6:15) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Joseph at NO 38. 24-J.Joseph to NO 34 for 4 yards (19-D.Henderson). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -4.74]

Impact plays

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

• Houston Texans (Q1 51:21) — (6:21) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 86-J.Casey to NO 22 for 62 yards (41-R.Harper). Pass 6, YAC 56 [WPA +12.6% · EPA +5.57]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 17:10) — (2:10) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Manning at HOU 36. 38-D.Manning pushed ob at NO 42 for 22 yards (17-R.Meachem). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -5.44]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:34) — (:34) 9-D.Brees kneels to HOU 4 for -1 yards. [EPA -5.02]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:15) — (6:15) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Joseph at NO 38. 24-J.Joseph to NO 34 for 4 yards (19-D.Henderson). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -4.74]

Quarterback report card

D.Brees led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 49 dropbacks · 63.3% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +11.87 total EPA
• M.Schaub (Houston Texans) · 43 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · -5.9% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +11.59 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Houston Texans +0.12, New Orleans Saints +0.16) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Houston Texans: 12 drives, +10.97 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +13.84 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New Orleans Saints 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. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Brees (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• 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. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 55:18 · NO 14 · Score 6-0
   (10:18) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 81-O.Daniels for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 7
2. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 55:13 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
3. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 48:20 · NO 4 · Score 10-0
   (3:20) 4-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 38:30 · HOU 30 · Score 10-6
   (8:30) 43-D.Sproles right end for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 38:23 · HOU 2 · Score 10-7
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
6. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 36:24 · NO 9 · Score 13-7
   (6:24) 4-N.Rackers 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
7. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 33:56 · NO 9 · Score 16-7
   (3:56) 4-N.Rackers 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
8. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:38 · HOU 17 · Score 16-10
   (:38) 2-J.Kasay 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 25:42 · HOU 2 · Score 16-16
   (10:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 17-R.Meachem for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 25:34 · HOU 2 · Score 16-17
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
11. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 20:12 · NO 18 · Score 19-17
    (5:12) 4-N.Rackers 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · NO 26 · Score 25-17
    (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass deep right to 86-J.Casey for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 14:54 · NO 2 · Score 26-17
    4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 9:35 · HOU 27 · Score 26-23
    (9:35) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 21, YAC 6
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 9:30 · HOU 2 · Score 26-24
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 7:14 · HOU 16 · Score 26-30
    (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 16-L.Moore for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 16, YAC 0
17. New Orleans Saints Safety (+2) — Q4 7:10 · HOU 2 · Score 26-32
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 16-L.Moore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 4:21 · NO 20 · Score 32-32
    (4:21) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 83-K.Walter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-W.Smith]. Penalty on NO-21-P.Robinson, Defensive Holding, declined. Pass 6, YAC 14
19. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 4:13 · NO 2 · Score 33-32
    4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-2-B.Hartmann.
20. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:47 · HOU 13 · Score 33-38
    (2:47) 28-M.Ingram left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New Orleans Saints Safety (+2) — Q4 2:42 · HOU 2 · Score 33-40
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 16-L.Moore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.