Game story
In Week 3 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-27, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 19–9 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 9 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Mallett (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with +5.32 total EPA, and -3.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, R. Mallett (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.32 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-17.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (1:35) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Houston Texans | 7 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 19 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Mallett · Houston Texans · Passing · +5.32 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 2 D. Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.17 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 3 C. Sims · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.40 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.20 EPA/play
- 4 V. Jackson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.80 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
- 5 L. Murphy · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 6 C. Shorts · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.21 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 7 J. Grimes · Houston Texans · Receiving · +0.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 8 G. Graham · Houston Texans · Receiving · +0.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Mallett — HOU · Passing
R. Mallett posted the highest total EPA (+5.32) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Houston Texans's efficiency. Across 42 counted snaps, they averaged +0.13 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.90 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (4:48) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle intended for 45-J.Prosch INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Alexander (51-D.Lansanah) at HOU 26. 58-K.Alexander to HOU 26 for no gain (45-J.Prosch).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Houston Texans — D. Hopkins (R. Mallett pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Sims (J. Winston pass)
- Houston Texans — A. Blue
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — K. Brindza
- Houston Texans — R. Bullock
- Houston Texans — R. Bullock
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 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TB 5 (Q1 50:02) — (5:02) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 49:58) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 9–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the HOU 40 (Q2 41:20) — (11:20) 2-K.Brindza 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-5-J.Schum.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the HOU 32 (Q2 34:01) — (4:01) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left to 34-C.Sims for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TB 21 (Q3 27:42) — (12:42) 4-R.Bullock 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 9–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TB 20 (Q4 9:19) — (9:19) 28-A.Blue left tackle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TB 1 (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) 4-R.Bullock 19 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 31:35) — (1:35) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
- Houston Texans (Q2 34:48) — (4:48) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle intended for 45-J.Prosch INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Alexander (51-D.Lansanah) at HOU 26. 58-K.Alexander to HOU 26 for no gain (45-J.Prosch).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 10:59) — (10:59) 2-K.Brindza 33 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-5-J.Schum.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 22:21) — (7:21) 2-K.Brindza 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-5-J.Schum.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 34:01) — (4:01) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left to 34-C.Sims for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q2 34:48) — (4:48) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle intended for 45-J.Prosch INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Alexander (51-D.Lansanah) at HOU 26. 58-K.Alexander to HOU 26 for no gain (45-J.Prosch).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 22:21) — (7:21) 2-K.Brindza 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-5-J.Schum.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 34:01) — (4:01) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left to 34-C.Sims for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 10:59) — (10:59) 2-K.Brindza 33 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-5-J.Schum.
Quarterback report card
R.Mallett led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Mallett (Houston Texans) · 42 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -3.9% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +5.32 total EPA
- J.Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -8.3% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -2.46 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.211 | -0.062 |
| Offensive success rate | 34.6% | 44.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.061 | +0.127 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.261 | -0.089 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.062 | +0.211 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.0% | 65.4% |
By the numbers
Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.21), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Houston Texans: 14 drives, -6.77 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, -16.47 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. Mallett (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- R. Mallett (HOU) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- J. Winston (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 50:02 · TB 5 · Score 0-6
(5:02) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 49:58 · TB 15 · Score 0-7
4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 41:20 · HOU 40 · Score 3-7
(11:20) 2-K.Brindza 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-5-J.Schum. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 34:01 · HOU 32 · Score 9-7
(4:01) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left to 34-C.Sims for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 27:42 · TB 21 · Score 9-10
(12:42) 4-R.Bullock 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 9:19 · TB 20 · Score 9-16
(9:19) 28-A.Blue left tackle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 1:15 · TB 1 · Score 9-19
(1:15) 4-R.Bullock 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans?
The Houston Texans beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-9 in Week 3, 2015 on 2015-09-27.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Houston Texans 19 (TB 9-19 HOU) in Week 3, 2015 on 2015-09-27.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Houston Texans 7; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Houston Texans 0; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Houston Texans 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Houston Texans 9; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Houston Texans 19.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans?
Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (R. Mallett pass) (Q1 50:02) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Sims (J. Winston pass) (Q2 34:01) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Blue (Q4 9:19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — K. Brindza (Q2 41:20, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — R. Bullock (Q3 27:42, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — R. Bullock (Q4 1:15, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans?
R. Mallett (Houston Texans), 57.1% completion, -3.9% CPOE, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +5.32 total passing EPA. J. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 42.5% completion, -8.3% CPOE, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -2.46 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans?
R. Mallett (Houston Texans) led the game in total EPA with +5.32 on passing plays. across 42 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.90 EPA): (4:48) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle intended for 45-J.Prosch INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Alexander (51-D.Lansanah) at HOU 26. 58-K.Alexander to HOU 26 for no gain (45-J.Prosch).. The biggest win-probability swing was -17.5%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
Houston Texans
Entered 0-2 Now 1-2 W
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