Game story
In Week 15 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-14, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 16–3 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +7.54 total EPA.
On the individual side, B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.54 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-7.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (1:55) 22-T.Jones up the middle to HOU 36 for no gain (55-J.Sharper, 56-J.Foreman).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +7.54 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2 C. Lee · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.17 EPA/play
- 3 K. McCardell · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
- 4 A. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.13 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 5 T. Jones · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.37 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.37 EPA/play
- 6 C. Bradford · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.12 EPA/play
- 7 B. Miller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 8 B. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +1.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Johnson — TB · Passing
B. Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+7.54) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.94 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (8:56) 14-B.Johnson pass to 82-C.Lee pushed ob at HOU 8 for 72 yards (43-K.Wright).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — T. Jones
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Houston Texans — K. Brown
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the HOU 18 (Q1 52:35) — (7:35) 22-T.Jones right end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 52:26) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 6–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the HOU 18 (Q2 40:18) — (10:18) 7-M.Gramatica 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the HOU 4 (Q2 30:38) — (:38) 7-M.Gramatica 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TB 20 (Q3 24:06) — (9:06) 3-K.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the HOU 8 (Q3 22:08) — (7:08) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 46:55) — (1:55) 22-T.Jones up the middle to HOU 36 for no gain (55-J.Sharper, 56-J.Foreman).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 23:56) — (8:56) 14-B.Johnson pass to 82-C.Lee pushed ob at HOU 8 for 72 yards (43-K.Wright).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 53:42) — (8:42) 14-B.Johnson up the middle to HOU 32 for 1 yard (58-S.Foley).
- Houston Texans (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 4-D.Ragone pass to 82-B.Miller ran ob at HOU 31 for 11 yards (29-R.Whitaker, 23-J.Phillips).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 54:03) — (9:03) 22-T.Jones right tackle to HOU 33 for no gain (55-J.Sharper). FUMBLES (55-J.Sharper), and recovers at HOU 33. 22-T.Jones to HOU 33 for no gain (55-J.Sharper).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 23:56) — (8:56) 14-B.Johnson pass to 82-C.Lee pushed ob at HOU 8 for 72 yards (43-K.Wright).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:21) — (:21) 27-A.Stecker left end to HOU 1 for 6 yards (98-A.Peek, 55-J.Sharper).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 15:15) — (:15) 7-M.Gramatica 41 yard field goal is BLOCKED (24-E.Brown), Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 46:55) — (1:55) 22-T.Jones up the middle to HOU 36 for no gain (55-J.Sharper, 56-J.Foreman).
Quarterback report card
B.Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 31 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +7.54 total EPA
- D.Ragone (Houston Texans) · 23 dropbacks · 39.1% completion · -0.36 EPA/play · -8.17 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.176 | +0.013 |
| Offensive success rate | 31.0% | 47.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.355 | +0.243 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.110 | -0.165 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.013 | +0.176 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.9% | 69.0% |
By the numbers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.18), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Houston Texans: 9 drives, -10.22 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9 drives, +1.16 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 52:35 · HOU 18 · Score 0-6
(7:35) 22-T.Jones right end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 52:26 · HOU 2 · Score 0-7
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 40:18 · HOU 18 · Score 0-10
(10:18) 7-M.Gramatica 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 30:38 · HOU 4 · Score 0-13
(:38) 7-M.Gramatica 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 24:06 · TB 20 · Score 3-13
(9:06) 3-K.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 22:08 · HOU 8 · Score 3-16
(7:08) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Houston Texans 16-3 in Week 15, 2003 on 2003-12-14.
What was the final score of Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was Houston Texans 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 (HOU 3-16 TB) in Week 15, 2003 on 2003-12-14.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: Houston Texans 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q2: Houston Texans 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6; Q3: Houston Texans 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Final: Houston Texans 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — T. Jones (Q1 52:35) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 40:18, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 30:38, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q3 24:06, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q3 22:08, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 54.8% completion, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +7.54 total passing EPA. D. Ragone (Houston Texans), 39.1% completion, -0.36 EPA per dropback, -8.17 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +7.54 on passing plays. across 31 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.94 EPA): (8:56) 14-B.Johnson pass to 82-C.Lee pushed ob at HOU 8 for 72 yards (43-K.Wright).. The biggest win-probability swing was -7.3%.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 5-8 Now 5-9 L
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 6-7 Now 7-7 W
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