Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans: 2020 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-10-18, the Tennessee Titans took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 42–36 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) paced the passing game, with +20.78 total EPA, and +5.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Watson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.96 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+42.9% win probability) landed in overtime when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (9:19) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 22-D.Henry to HOU 27 for 53 yards (32-L.Johnson). HOU-32-L.Johnson was injured during the play.

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. Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +23.96 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Tannehill · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +20.78 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Firkser · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +10.76 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Henry · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +9.74 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
5. 5 W. Fuller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +9.72 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Cooks · Houston Texans · Receiving · +8.13 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Humphries · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +7.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Fells · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.34 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.91 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

• Tennessee Titans — A. Firkser (R. Tannehill pass) (Q1 52:02)
• Tennessee Titans — A. Brown (R. Tannehill pass) (Q1 45:18)
• Houston Texans — D. Fells (D. Watson pass) (Q2 38:59)
• Tennessee Titans — A. Humphries (R. Tannehill pass) (Q2 33:39)
• Houston Texans — unlisted player (Q3 21:21)
• Houston Texans — R. Cobb (D. Watson pass) (Q3 19:43)
• Tennessee Titans — D. Henry (Q4 9:37)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q4 8:44)
• Houston Texans — B. Cooks (D. Watson pass) (Q4 1:53)
• Tennessee Titans — A. Brown (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 0:07)
• Tennessee Titans — D. Henry (OT 6:35)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q2 30:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 14–0. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q1 52:02) — (7:02) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 86-A.Firkser for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 51:57) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 6 (Q1 45:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-A.Brown for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 45:12) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q2 38:59) — (8:59) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 87-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q2 38:56) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 22 (Q2 33:39) — (3:39) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 10-A.Humphries for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-P.Hall].; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 33:34) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TEN 20 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 7-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 13–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q3 21:21) — (6:21) (Shotgun) 31-Da.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q3 21:15) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 4 (Q3 19:43).

The fourth quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 15–13. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 94 (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) 22-D.Henry right guard for 94 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 9:23) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 17-R.Tannehill pass to 15-N.Westbrook is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 53 (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q4 8:37) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 13-B.Cooks for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [54-R.Evans].; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q4 0:07); Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 0:04) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern..

Overtime: Tennessee Titans won the period 6–0. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 5 (OT 6:35) — (6:35) Direct snap to 22-D.Henry. 22-D.Henry left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Tennessee Titans (OT 9:19) — (9:19) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 22-D.Henry to HOU 27 for 53 yards (32-L.Johnson). HOU-32-L.Johnson was injured during the play. [WPA +42.9% · EPA +3.72]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) 22-D.Henry right guard for 94 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +33.2% · EPA +6.92]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 0:07) — (:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short left to 11-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the fiel [WPA +26.1% · EPA +3.46]
• Houston Texans (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.7% · EPA +4.66]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 21:08) — (6:08) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at TEN 16 for -9 yards (99-J.Watt). FUMBLES (99-J.Watt) [99-J.Watt], touched at TEN 10, RECOVERED by HOU-54-J.Martin at TEN 4. [WPA -21.7% · EPA -5.95]

Impact plays

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

• Tennessee Titans (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) 22-D.Henry right guard for 94 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +33.2% · EPA +6.92]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 21:08) — (6:08) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at TEN 16 for -9 yards (99-J.Watt). FUMBLES (99-J.Watt) [99-J.Watt], touched at TEN 10, RECOVERED by HOU-54-J.Martin at TEN 4. [WPA -21.7% · EPA -5.95]
• Houston Texans (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.7% · EPA +4.66]
• Tennessee Titans (OT 9:19) — (9:19) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 22-D.Henry to HOU 27 for 53 yards (32-L.Johnson). HOU-32-L.Johnson was injured during the play. [WPA +42.9% · EPA +3.72]

Quarterback report card

R.Tannehill led all passers in efficiency for Tennessee Titans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) · 46 dropbacks · 65.2% completion · +5.3% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +20.78 total EPA
• D.Watson (Houston Texans) · 43 dropbacks · 65.1% completion · +12.6% CPOE · +0.56 EPA/play · +23.96 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 +0.22, Tennessee Titans +0.24) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Houston Texans: 11 drives, +19.12 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 11 drives, +22.05 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Tennessee Titans 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. Watson (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Tannehill (TEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Watson (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. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 52:02 · HOU 7 · Score 0-6
   (7:02) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 86-A.Firkser for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 51:57 · HOU 15 · Score 0-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
3. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 45:18 · HOU 6 · Score 0-13
   (:18) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-A.Brown for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 45:12 · HOU 15 · Score 0-14
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
5. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 38:59 · TEN 1 · Score 6-14
   (8:59) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 87-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 38:56 · TEN 15 · Score 7-14
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
7. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 33:39 · HOU 22 · Score 7-20
   (3:39) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 10-A.Humphries for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-P.Hall].
8. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 33:34 · HOU 15 · Score 7-21
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
9. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · TEN 20 · Score 10-21
   (:03) 7-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
10. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 21:21 · TEN 1 · Score 16-21
    (6:21) (Shotgun) 31-Da.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 21:15 · TEN 15 · Score 17-21
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 19:43 · TEN 4 · Score 23-21
    (4:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 18-R.Cobb for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play w
13. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 9:37 · HOU 94 · Score 23-27
    (9:37) 22-D.Henry right guard for 94 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Tennessee Titans Safety (+2) — Q4 9:23 · HOU 2 · Score 23-29
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 17-R.Tannehill pass to 15-N.Westbrook is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
15. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 8:44 · TEN 53 · Score 29-29
    (8:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 15-W.Fuller for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 8:37 · TEN 15 · Score 30-29
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
17. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 1:53 · TEN 1 · Score 36-29
    (1:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 13-B.Cooks for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [54-R.Evans].
18. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 0:07 · HOU 7 · Score 36-35
    (:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short left to 11-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the
19. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 0:04 · HOU 15 · Score 36-36
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
20. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — OT 6:35 · HOU 5 · Score 36-42
    (6:35) Direct snap to 22-D.Henry. 22-D.Henry left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.