New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans: 2013 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-12-01, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +17.99 total EPA, and +7.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.99 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (13:09) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep left to 10-D.Hopkins to NE 14 for 66 yards (32-D.McCourty).

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 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +17.99 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Edelman · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.94 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.80 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Tate · Houston Texans · Rushing · +4.03 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Amendola · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Martin · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.86 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Keenum · Houston Texans · Passing · +2.69 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.08 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 — B. Tate (Q1 53:48)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q1 46:33)
• Houston Texans — B. Tate (Q2 31:52)
• New England Patriots — J. Develin (Q3 27:49)
• New England Patriots — S. Vereen (T. Brady pass) (Q3 23:11)
• Houston Texans — C. Keenum (Q3 17:16)
• New England Patriots — L. Blount (Q4 13:14)
• Houston Texans — B. Tate (Q4 11:39)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — R. Bullock (Q1 49:14)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 7:21)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 3:15)

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 10–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q1 53:48) — (8:48) (Shotgun) 44-B.Tate right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 53:44) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NE 25 (Q1 49:14) — (4:14) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 23 (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 46:25) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NE 20 (Q2 31:52) — (1:52) 44-B.Tate left tackle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 31:47) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q3 27:49) — (12:49) 46-J.Develin up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 27:41) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 9 (Q3 23:11) — (8:11) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 34-S.Vereen for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 23:06) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q3 17:16) — (2:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 17:11) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q4 13:14) — (13:14) 29-L.Blount left guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 13:09) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NE 10 (Q4 11:39) — (11:39) 44-B.Tate left guard for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 11:35) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the HOU 35 (Q4 7:21) — (7:21) 3-S.Gostkowski 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the HOU 35 (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) 3-S.Gostkowski 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

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

• Houston Texans (Q4 13:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep left to 10-D.Hopkins to NE 14 for 66 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +20.4% · EPA +3.86]
• Houston Texans (Q4 2:06) — (2:06) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass incomplete short middle (96-A.Carter) [94-Chr. Jones]. [WPA -17.3% · EPA -2.28]
• New England Patriots (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) 3-S.Gostkowski 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +1.73]
• New England Patriots (Q1 50:42) — (5:42) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 87-R.Gronkowski INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Joseph at HOU 38. 24-J.Joseph to NE 31 for 31 yards (77-N.Solder). [WPA -12.1% · EPA -5.44]
• New England Patriots (Q2 34:56) — (4:56) 3-S.Gostkowski 55 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -3.17]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q1 50:42) — (5:42) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 87-R.Gronkowski INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Joseph at HOU 38. 24-J.Joseph to NE 31 for 31 yards (77-N.Solder). [WPA -12.1% · EPA -5.44]
• New England Patriots (Q3 28:43) — (13:43) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski pushed ob at HOU 13 for 50 yards (51-D.Sharpton). [WPA +10.8% · EPA +4.35]
• Houston Texans (Q4 13:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep left to 10-D.Hopkins to NE 14 for 66 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +20.4% · EPA +3.86]
• New England Patriots (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +3.59]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 43 dropbacks · 67.4% completion · +7.3% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +17.99 total EPA
• C.Keenum (Houston Texans) · 32 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · -7.1% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +2.69 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.21 vs +0.15), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Houston Texans: 12 drives, +11.10 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +18.25 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots 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.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Keenum (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 53:48 · NE 8 · Score 0-6
   (8:48) (Shotgun) 44-B.Tate right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 53:44 · NE 2 · Score 0-7
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
3. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 49:14 · NE 25 · Score 0-10
   (4:14) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 46:33 · HOU 23 · Score 6-10
   (1:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 46:25 · HOU 2 · Score 7-10
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
6. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 31:52 · NE 20 · Score 7-16
   (1:52) 44-B.Tate left tackle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 31:47 · NE 2 · Score 7-17
   4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 27:49 · HOU 1 · Score 13-17
   (12:49) 46-J.Develin up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 27:41 · HOU 2 · Score 14-17
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 23:11 · HOU 9 · Score 20-17
    (8:11) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 34-S.Vereen for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 23:06 · HOU 2 · Score 21-17
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 17:16 · NE 5 · Score 21-23
    (2:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 17:11 · NE 2 · Score 21-24
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
14. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 13:14 · HOU 7 · Score 27-24
    (13:14) 29-L.Blount left guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 13:09 · HOU 2 · Score 28-24
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
16. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 11:39 · NE 10 · Score 28-30
    (11:39) 44-B.Tate left guard for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 11:35 · NE 2 · Score 28-31
    4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
18. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 7:21 · HOU 35 · Score 31-31
    (7:21) 3-S.Gostkowski 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
19. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 3:15 · HOU 35 · Score 34-31
    (3:15) 3-S.Gostkowski 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.