Game story
In Week 12 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-29, the Houston Texans took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 24–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -16.06 total EPA, and -7.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, R. Griffin (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.08 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-5.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (13:13) 7-B.Hoyer pass deep middle intended for 18-C.Shorts III INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd [93-K.Williams] at NO 35. 31-J.Byrd to HOU 38 for 27 yards (79-B.Brooks). PENALTY on NO-39-B.Browner, Illegal B
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Houston Texans | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Griffin · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.08 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
- 2 B. Hoyer · Houston Texans · Passing · +4.33 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 3 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 4 A. Hunt · Houston Texans · Rushing · +1.81 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 5 D. Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.71 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 6 C.Shorts III · Houston Texans · Rushing · +1.56 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 7 B. Watson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 8 N. Washington · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Griffin — HOU · Receiving
R. Griffin posted the highest total EPA (+6.08) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Houston Texans's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.22 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.22 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (12:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 25-K.Jackson at HOU 0. 25-K.Jackson to 50 for 50 yards (12-M.Colston).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Houston Texans — R. Griffin (B. Hoyer pass)
- Houston Texans — C. Shorts (B. Hoyer pass)
- Houston Texans — A. Blue
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — K. Forbath
- New Orleans Saints — K. Forbath
- Houston Texans — N. Novak
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 14–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q1 52:07); Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 51:57) — 8-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q1 46:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short middle to 18-C.Shorts III for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 46:29) — 8-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the HOU 12 (Q2 36:35) — (6:35) 5-K.Forbath 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the HOU 39 (Q2 31:17) — (1:17) 5-K.Forbath 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q3 26:35) — (11:35) (Shotgun) 28-A.Blue up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 26:28) — 8-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q3 21:09) — (6:09) 8-N.Novak 34 yard field goal 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 43:13) — (13:13) 7-B.Hoyer pass deep middle intended for 18-C.Shorts III INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd [93-K.Williams] at NO 35. 31-J.Byrd to HOU 38 for 27 yards (79-B.Brooks). PENALTY on NO-39-B.Browner, Illegal B
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 38:42) — (8:42) 22-M.Ingram right end to HOU 19 for 29 yards (25-K.Jackson, 90-J.Clowney).
- Houston Texans (Q1 56:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins to NO 38 for 8 yards (56-M.Mauti).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 31:17) — (1:17) 5-K.Forbath 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- Houston Texans (Q1 52:07) — (7:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right to 84-R.Griffin for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field st
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:26) — (12:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 25-K.Jackson at HOU 0. 25-K.Jackson to 50 for 50 yards (12-M.Colston).
- Houston Texans (Q2 43:13) — (13:13) 7-B.Hoyer pass deep middle intended for 18-C.Shorts III INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd [93-K.Williams] at NO 35. 31-J.Byrd to HOU 38 for 27 yards (79-B.Brooks). PENALTY on NO-39-B.Browner, Illegal B
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 5:49) — (5:49) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 16-B.Coleman (27-Q.Demps).
- Houston Texans (Q3 28:32) — (13:32) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short middle to 84-R.Griffin to NO 21 for 37 yards (40-D.Breaux, 31-J.Byrd) [93-K.Williams].
Quarterback report card
D.Brees led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 48 dropbacks · 52.1% completion · -7.0% CPOE · -0.33 EPA/play · -16.06 total EPA
- B.Hoyer (Houston Texans) · 31 dropbacks · 67.7% completion · +9.1% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.33 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.253 | -0.006 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.5% | 41.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.334 | +0.140 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.062 | -0.016 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.006 | +0.253 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.1% | 63.5% |
By the numbers
Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.25), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Houston Texans: 11 drives, -0.50 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, -18.72 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Houston Texans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- R. Griffin (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- B. Hoyer (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.
- Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 52:07 · NO 10 · Score 0-6
(7:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right to 84-R.Griffin for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the pla - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 51:57 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
8-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 46:35 · NO 3 · Score 0-13
(1:35) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short middle to 18-C.Shorts III for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 46:29 · NO 15 · Score 0-14
8-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 36:35 · HOU 12 · Score 3-14
(6:35) 5-K.Forbath 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 31:17 · HOU 39 · Score 6-14
(1:17) 5-K.Forbath 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 26:35 · NO 8 · Score 6-20
(11:35) (Shotgun) 28-A.Blue up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 26:28 · NO 15 · Score 6-21
8-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 21:09 · NO 16 · Score 6-24
(6:09) 8-N.Novak 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans?
The Houston Texans beat the New Orleans Saints 24-6 in Week 12, 2015 on 2015-11-29.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 6, Houston Texans 24 (NO 6-24 HOU) in Week 12, 2015 on 2015-11-29.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, Houston Texans 14; Q2: New Orleans Saints 6, Houston Texans 0; Q3: New Orleans Saints 0, Houston Texans 10; Final: New Orleans Saints 6, Houston Texans 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans?
Houston Texans touchdown — R. Griffin (B. Hoyer pass) (Q1 52:07) Houston Texans touchdown — C. Shorts (B. Hoyer pass) (Q1 46:35) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Blue (Q3 26:35) New Orleans Saints field goal — K. Forbath (Q2 36:35, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — K. Forbath (Q2 31:17, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — N. Novak (Q3 21:09, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 52.1% completion, -7.0% CPOE, -0.33 EPA per dropback, -16.06 total passing EPA. B. Hoyer (Houston Texans), 67.7% completion, +9.1% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +4.33 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans?
R. Griffin (Houston Texans) led the game in total EPA with +6.08 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.22 EPA): (12:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 25-K.Jackson at HOU 0. 25-K.Jackson to 50 for 50 yards (12-M.Colston).. The biggest win-probability swing was -5.3%.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 4-6 Now 4-7 L
Houston Texans
Entered 5-5 Now 6-5 W
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