Game story
In Week 16 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-12-25, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 34–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +16.60 total EPA, and +0.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.60 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-7.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (10:28) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates pass short middle intended for 15-W.Fuller V INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Burns at PIT 0. Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception ruling, and the play was Uphe
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +16.60 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 2 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
- 3 J. Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.05 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 4 V. McDonald · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 5 J. Hunter · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.49 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.49 EPA/play
- 6 A. Blue · Houston Texans · Rushing · +2.14 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 7 D. Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.69 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 8 L. Bell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +1.52 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+16.60) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.54 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.28 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (10:28) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates pass short middle intended for 15-W.Fuller V INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Burns at PIT 0. Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on th
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Hunter (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Nix
- Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell
- Houston Texans — D. Hopkins (T. Yates pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 16 (Q1 55:44) — (10:44) 9-C.Boswell 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q1 52:06) — (7:06) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-J.Hunter for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 51:59) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q2 34:18) — (4:18) 45-R.Nix up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 34:14); Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 18 (Q2 30:57) — (:57) 9-C.Boswell 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 10 (Q3 16:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 26-L.Bell up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 16:48) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–6. Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q4 12:36); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 18 (Q4 9:31) — (9:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 9:26) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Houston Texans (Q2 40:28) — (10:28) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates pass short middle intended for 15-W.Fuller V INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Burns at PIT 0. Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception ruling, and the play was Uphe
- Houston Texans (Q2 44:52) — (14:52) 28-A.Blue right guard pushed ob at PIT 18 for 48 yards (21-J.Haden).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:48) — (7:48) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant ran ob at HOU 11 for 36 yards.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:06) — (7:06) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-J.Hunter for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 58:37) — (13:37) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald to HOU 29 for 20 yards (41-Z.Cunningham).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q2 40:28) — (10:28) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates pass short middle intended for 15-W.Fuller V INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Burns at PIT 0. Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception ruling, and the play was Uphe
- Houston Texans (Q2 32:55) — (2:55) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates sacked at HOU 25 for -5 yards (97-C.Heyward). FUMBLES (97-C.Heyward), RECOVERED by PIT-48-B.Dupree at HOU 28. 48-B.Dupree to HOU 28 for no gain (2-T.Yates).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 9:31) — (9:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:48) — (7:48) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant ran ob at HOU 11 for 36 yards.
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) · 31 dropbacks · 64.5% completion · +0.3% CPOE · +0.54 EPA/play · +16.60 total EPA
- T.Yates (Houston Texans) · 26 dropbacks · 26.9% completion · -19.5% CPOE · -0.65 EPA/play · -16.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.224 | -0.269 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.2% | 34.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.486 | -0.641 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.018 | +0.081 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.269 | -0.224 |
| Defensive success rate | 65.3% | 54.8% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs -0.27), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Houston Texans: 10 drives, -19.36 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +16.38 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.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Yates (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.
- Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 55:44 · HOU 16 · Score 3-0
(10:44) 9-C.Boswell 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 52:06 · HOU 5 · Score 9-0
(7:06) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-J.Hunter for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 51:59 · HOU 15 · Score 10-0
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 34:18 · HOU 1 · Score 16-0
(4:18) 45-R.Nix up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 34:14 · HOU 15 · Score 17-0
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. PENALTY on HOU-92-B.Dunn, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:57 · HOU 18 · Score 20-0
(:57) 9-C.Boswell 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 16:53 · HOU 10 · Score 26-0
(1:53) (Shotgun) 26-L.Bell up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 16:48 · HOU 15 · Score 27-0
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 12:36 · PIT 3 · Score 27-6
(12:36) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-97-C.Heyward, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. The Replay Offi - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 9:31 · HOU 18 · Score 33-6
(9:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 9:26 · HOU 15 · Score 34-6
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Houston Texans 34-6 in Week 16, 2017 on 2017-12-25.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Houston Texans 6 (PIT 34-6 HOU) in Week 16, 2017 on 2017-12-25.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Houston Texans 0; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Houston Texans 0; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Houston Texans 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Houston Texans 6; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Houston Texans 6.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Hunter (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 52:06) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Nix (Q2 34:18) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — L. Bell (Q3 16:53) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (T. Yates pass) (Q4 12:36) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 9:31) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q1 55:44, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q2 30:57, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 64.5% completion, +0.3% CPOE, +0.54 EPA per dropback, +16.60 total passing EPA. T. Yates (Houston Texans), 26.9% completion, -19.5% CPOE, -0.65 EPA per dropback, -16.90 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +16.60 on passing plays. across 31 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.28 EPA): (10:28) (Shotgun) 2-T.Yates pass short middle intended for 15-W.Fuller V INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Burns at PIT 0. Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception ruling, a. The biggest win-probability swing was -7.8%.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 11-3 Now 12-3 W
Houston Texans
Entered 4-10 Now 4-11 L
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