Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2014 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-10-20, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 30–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +7.90 total EPA, and +11.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-19.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (1:14) (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster up the middle to HOU 4 for -2 yards (93-J.Worilds). The Replay Official challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster

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 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +7.90 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Bell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.72 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Fitzpatrick · Houston Texans · Passing · +3.14 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.95 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Heyward-Bey · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.09 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Blue · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.99 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 — A. Blue (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q1 51:01)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Bryant (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 31:36)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Moore (A. Brown pass) (Q2 31:10)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:18)
• Houston Texans — A. Foster (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 1:35)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — R. Bullock (Q2 43:34)
• Houston Texans — R. Bullock (Q2 37:20)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q2 33:13)
• Houston Texans — R. Bullock (Q4 11:52)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q4 5:55)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q4 3:09)

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 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q1 51:01) — (6:01) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-A.Blue for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 50:55) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 24–6. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the PIT 21 (Q2 43:34) — (13:34) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the PIT 20 (Q2 37:20) — (7:20) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 26 (Q2 33:13) — (3:13) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 35 (Q2 31:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 31:27) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q2 31:10) — (1:10) #7 Roethlisberger tosses to #84 Brown. 84-A.Brown pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 31:03) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 26-L.Bell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 30:14) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–6. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the PIT 13 (Q4 11:52) — (11:52) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 12 (Q4 5:55) — (5:55) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 22 (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) #99 Watt reports as eligible receiver. 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 23-A.Foster for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 1:31) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

Turning points

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

• Houston Texans (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster up the middle to HOU 4 for -2 yards (93-J.Worilds). The Replay Official challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster [WPA -19.0% · EPA -5.49]
• Houston Texans (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle intended for 23-A.Foster INTERCEPTED by 99-B.Keisel at HOU 24. 99-B.Keisel to HOU 8 for 16 yards (60-B.Jones). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -5.55]
• Houston Texans (Q1 51:50) — (6:50) (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster right guard to PIT 11 for 33 yards (43-T.Polamalu). [WPA +11.7% · EPA +3.04]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 31:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.5% · EPA +3.84]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 47:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 46 for -6 yards (59-W.Mercilus). FUMBLES (59-W.Mercilus), RECOVERED by HOU-99-J.Watt at PIT 46. 99-J.Watt to PIT 46 for no gain (66-D.DeCastro). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.43]

Impact plays

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

• Houston Texans (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle intended for 23-A.Foster INTERCEPTED by 99-B.Keisel at HOU 24. 99-B.Keisel to HOU 8 for 16 yards (60-B.Jones). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -5.55]
• Houston Texans (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster up the middle to HOU 4 for -2 yards (93-J.Worilds). The Replay Official challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 23-A.Foster [WPA -19.0% · EPA -5.49]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 47:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 46 for -6 yards (59-W.Mercilus). FUMBLES (59-W.Mercilus), RECOVERED by HOU-99-J.Watt at PIT 46. 99-J.Watt to PIT 46 for no gain (66-D.DeCastro). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.43]
• Houston Texans (Q4 5:15) — (5:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 10-D.Hopkins to PIT 48 for 32 yards (23-M.Mitchell) [55-A.Moats]. FUMBLES (23-M.Mitchell), RECOVERED by PIT-43-T.Polamalu at PIT 48. 43- [WPA -3.6% · EPA -3.85]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +11.6% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.90 total EPA
• R.Fitzpatrick (Houston Texans) · 38 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · +8.6% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.14 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 (+0.05 vs -0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Houston Texans: 12 drives, -1.62 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +3.91 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• R. Fitzpatrick (HOU) 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. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 51:01 · PIT 11 · Score 6-0
   (6:01) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-A.Blue for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 50:55 · PIT 2 · Score 7-0
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
3. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 43:34 · PIT 21 · Score 10-0
   (13:34) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
4. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 37:20 · PIT 20 · Score 13-0
   (7:20) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 33:13 · HOU 26 · Score 13-3
   (3:13) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:36 · HOU 35 · Score 13-9
   (1:36) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:27 · HOU 2 · Score 13-10
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:10 · HOU 3 · Score 13-16
   (1:10) #7 Roethlisberger tosses to #84 Brown. 84-A.Brown pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:03 · HOU 2 · Score 13-17
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:18 · HOU 2 · Score 13-23
    (:18) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 26-L.Bell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:14 · HOU 2 · Score 13-24
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
12. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 11:52 · PIT 13 · Score 16-24
    (11:52) (Field Goal formation) 4-R.Bullock 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 5:55 · HOU 12 · Score 16-27
    (5:55) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 3:09 · HOU 22 · Score 16-30
    (3:09) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
15. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 1:35 · PIT 1 · Score 22-30
    (1:35) #99 Watt reports as eligible receiver. 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 23-A.Foster for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 1:31 · PIT 2 · Score 23-30
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.