Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2008 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-07, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 38–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Schaub (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with -8.20 total EPA, and +11.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Johnson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.60 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (9:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles right end pushed ob at HOU 29 for 17 yards (54-Z.Diles).

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 A. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +10.60 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
2. 2 W. Parker · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +8.47 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
3. 3 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Walter · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.93 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.53 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.53 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
7. 7 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
8. 8 O. Daniels · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.58 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

• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q1 50:51)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q2 41:03)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 39:09)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q3 24:15)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 17:10)
• Houston Texans — K. Walter (M. Schaub pass) (Q4 9:06)
• Houston Texans — M. Schaub (Q4 1:21)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — K. Brown (Q2 34:34)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Warren (Q4 5:28)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q1 50:51) — (5:51) 39-W.Parker right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 50:44) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 13 (Q2 41:03) — (11:03) 39-W.Parker left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 41:00) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 13 (Q2 39:09) — (9:09) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 86-H.Ward for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 39:03) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (Q2 34:34) — (4:34) 3-K.Brown 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-1-M.Turk..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 4 (Q3 24:15) — (9:15) 39-W.Parker left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toss play; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 24:10) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 16 (Q3 17:10) — (2:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 86-H.Ward for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 17:04) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 14–3. Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q4 9:06) — (9:06) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 83-K.Walter for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 9:00) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 26 (Q4 5:28) — (5:28) 3-Je.Reed 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q4 1:21) — (1:21) 8-M.Schaub scrambles right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 1:14) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-1-M.Turk..

Turning points

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:09) — (9:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles right end pushed ob at HOU 29 for 17 yards (54-Z.Diles). [WPA +8.6% · EPA +1.88]
• Houston Texans (Q1 59:32) — (14:32) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 80-A.Johnson to HOU 43 for 14 yards (51-J.Farrior). [WPA +5.6% · EPA +1.80]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 36:47) — (6:47) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at HOU 38 for -6 yards (90-M.Williams). FUMBLES (90-M.Williams), RECOVERED by HOU-59-D.Ryans at HOU 35. 59-D.Ryans to PIT 24 for 41 yards (39-W.Parker). PENALTY on PIT [WPA -5.4% · EPA -8.36]
• Houston Texans (Q1 55:50) — (10:50) 8-M.Schaub up the middle to PIT 48 for no gain (99-B.Keisel, 98-C.Hampton). Houston challenged the first down ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 10:32.) [WPA -5.0% · EPA -2.81]
• Houston Texans (Q1 56:36) — (11:36) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 89-D.Anderson to PIT 48 for 2 yards (26-D.Townsend). [WPA -4.8% · EPA -1.31]

Impact plays

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 36:47) — (6:47) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at HOU 38 for -6 yards (90-M.Williams). FUMBLES (90-M.Williams), RECOVERED by HOU-59-D.Ryans at HOU 35. 59-D.Ryans to PIT 24 for 41 yards (39-W.Parker). PENALTY on PIT [WPA -5.4% · EPA -8.36]
• Houston Texans (Q4 6:29) — (6:29) 8-M.Schaub sacked at HOU 39 for -5 yards (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison), RECOVERED by PIT-56-L.Woodley at HOU 30. 56-L.Woodley to HOU 28 for 2 yards (83-K.Walter). Houston challenged [WPA -0.0% · EPA -5.76]
• Houston Texans (Q2 39:37) — (9:37) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 89-D.Anderson INTERCEPTED by 56-L.Woodley at HOU 38. 56-L.Woodley to HOU 32 for 6 yards (89-D.Anderson). PRESSURE BY #92 HARRISON [WPA -2.5% · EPA -3.89]
• Houston Texans (Q4 9:06) — (9:06) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 83-K.Walter for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.0% · EPA +3.88]

Quarterback report card

M.Schaub led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Schaub (Houston Texans) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +11.9% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -8.20 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 18 dropbacks · 72.2% completion · +25.2% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +4.53 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.13 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Houston Texans: 11 drives, -10.06 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +9.43 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• A. Johnson (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Schaub (HOU) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) 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. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 50:51 · HOU 7 · Score 0-6
   (5:51) 39-W.Parker right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 50:44 · HOU 2 · Score 0-7
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 41:03 · HOU 13 · Score 0-13
   (11:03) 39-W.Parker left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 41:00 · HOU 2 · Score 0-14
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 39:09 · HOU 13 · Score 0-20
   (9:09) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 86-H.Ward for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 39:03 · HOU 2 · Score 0-21
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.
7. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 34:34 · PIT 16 · Score 3-21
   (4:34) 3-K.Brown 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-1-M.Turk.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 24:15 · HOU 4 · Score 3-27
   (9:15) 39-W.Parker left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toss play
9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 24:10 · HOU 2 · Score 3-28
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 17:10 · HOU 16 · Score 3-34
    (2:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 86-H.Ward for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 17:04 · HOU 2 · Score 3-35
    3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.
12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 9:06 · PIT 14 · Score 9-35
    (9:06) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 83-K.Walter for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 9:00 · PIT 2 · Score 10-35
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-1-M.Turk.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 5:28 · HOU 26 · Score 10-38
    (5:28) 3-Je.Reed 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger.
15. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 1:21 · PIT 4 · Score 16-38
    (1:21) 8-M.Schaub scrambles right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 1:14 · PIT 2 · Score 17-38
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-1-M.Turk.