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NFL · Week 16 · December 21, 2003 · 12 min read

Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans: 2003 Week 16 Recap

Titans defeat Texans 27–24 in Week 16

D.Bennett led Fantasy Impact as Titans prevailed in a 27–24 Week 16 finish.

Tennessee Titans 27 11–4 Winner
Final 27–24
Houston Texans 24 5–10
Winner
Tennessee Titans
Final score
27–24
Halftime
Tennessee Titans 10–3 Houston Texans
Top passer
Derek Carr
FantasyHQ MVP
D.Bennett
Game date
December 21, 2003

Top fantasy performers · Titans

  • D.Bennett 5 REC · 84 YDS · 1 TD +7.4 Fantasy Impact
  • J.McCareins 2 REC · 82 YDS +6.4 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Mason 4 REC · 44 YDS +3.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • Austin Johnson
    Austin Johnson 5 REC · 108 YDS +6.5 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Bradford 3 REC · 36 YDS · 1 TD +5.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Derek Carr
    Derek Carr +3.5 Fantasy Impact
View Titans vs Texans box score View all 2003 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Tennessee Titans
Final score
Tennessee Titans 27–24 Houston Texans
Halftime
Tennessee Titans 10–3 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
D. Bennett
Top passer
Derek Carr
Biggest EPA play
(8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.M…
Game date
2003-12-21

Game summary

The Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texans 27–24 on 2003-12-21. D. Bennett posted a game-high +7.37 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q2Q3Q4——T
Tennessee Titans107100027
Houston Texans31470024

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

TENTennessee Titans
HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 10:46FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TEN 31
    Score
    0-3

    (10:46) 3-K.Brown 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  2. TENTennessee Titans
    Q2 3:21TD
    EKE. Kinney

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    6-3

    (3:21) 9-S.McNair pass to 88-E.Kinney for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. TENTennessee Titans
    Q2 3:16XP
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    7-3

    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  4. TENTennessee Titans
    Q2 0:05FG
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 23
    Score
    10-3

    (:05) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  5. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 8:59TD
    MMM. McCree

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 11
    Score
    10-9

    (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.McCree for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 8:44XP
    Kyron Brown

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TEN 2
    Score
    10-10

    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  7. TENTennessee Titans
    Q3 5:35TD
    Domenique Davis

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TEN 42
    Score
    16-10

    (5:35) 37-D.Davis left end to TEN 39 for 3 yards (53-K.Bulluck). FUMBLES (53-K.Bulluck), touched at TEN 39, RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at TEN 39. 21-S.Rolle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on HOU-69-C.Pitts, Offensive Holding, declined.

  8. TENTennessee Titans
    Q3 5:18XP
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    17-10

    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  9. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 2:55TD
    CBC. Bradford

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TEN 20
    Score
    17-16

    (2:55) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 2:55XP
    Kyron Brown

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TEN 2
    Score
    17-17

    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  11. TENTennessee Titans
    Q4 11:44FG
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 8
    Score
    20-17

    (11:44) 1-G.Anderson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  12. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 1:53TD
    Domenique Davis

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TEN 5
    Score
    20-23

    (1:53) 37-D.Davis left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 1:48XP
    Kyron Brown

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TEN 2
    Score
    20-24

    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  14. TENTennessee Titans
    Q4 0:24TD
    DBD. Bennett

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 23
    Score
    26-24

    (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  15. TENTennessee Titans
    Q4 0:17XP
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    27-24

    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1D. Bennett · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +7.37 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
  2. 2Austin JohnsonAustin Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
  3. 3J. McCareins · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +6.43 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.21 EPA/play
  4. 4C. Bradford · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
  5. 5Derek CarrDerek Carr · Houston Texans · Rushing · +3.50 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
  6. 6Blake MillerBlake Miller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
  7. 7D. Mason · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
  8. 8Dorance ArmstrongDorance Armstrong · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

D. Bennett — TEN · Receiving

D. Bennett posted the highest total EPA (+7.37) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tennessee Titans. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.47 EPA per play.

D. Bennett's top snap (+4.58 EPA): (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-11.63 EPA): S. McNair — (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.McCree for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Derek Carr led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Derek CarrDerek Carr (Houston Texans) · 37 dropbacks · 45.9% completion · -0.06 EPA/play · -2.22 total EPA
  • S. McNair (Tennessee Titans) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatTennessee TitansHouston Texans
Offensive EPA/play-0.045-0.098
Offensive success rate48.4%45.2%
Pass EPA/play-0.081+0.031
Rush EPA/play-0.080-0.757
Defensive EPA/play+0.098+0.045
Defensive success rate54.8%51.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Tennessee Titans generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Tennessee Titans: -0.04 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: -0.10 EPA/play (30th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: 14 drives, -7.16 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Tennessee Titans: 15 drives, -4.31 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Tennessee Titans — E. Kinney (S. McNair pass) (Q2 3:21)
  • Houston Texans — M. McCree (Q3 8:59)
  • Domenique DavisTennessee Titans — Domenique Davis (Q3 5:35)
  • Houston Texans — C. Bradford (Derek Carr pass) (Q3 2:55)
  • Domenique DavisHouston Texans — Domenique Davis (Q4 1:53)
  • Tennessee Titans — D. Bennett (S. McNair pass) (Q4 0:24)

Field goals

  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q2 10:46)
  • Tennessee Titans — G. Anderson (Q2 0:05)
  • Tennessee Titans — G. Anderson (Q4 11:44)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The second quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 10–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TEN 31 (Q2 10:46) — (10:46) 3-K.Brown 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q2 3:21) — (3:21) 9-S.McNair pass to 88-E.Kinney for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 3:16) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the HOU 23 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 14–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the HOU 11 (Q3 8:59) — (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.McCree for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 8:44) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the TEN 42 (Q3 5:35); Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 5:18) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 20 (Q3 2:55) — (2:55) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 2:55) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..

The fourth quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 10–7. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the HOU 8 (Q4 11:44) — (11:44) 1-G.Anderson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 5 (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) 37-D.Davis left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q4 1:48) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 23 (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 0:17) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Tennessee Titans (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +58.6% · EPA +4.58]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q3 8:59) — (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.McCree for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -35.5% · EPA -11.63]
  • Houston Texans (Q3 5:35) — (5:35) 37-D.Davis left end to TEN 39 for 3 yards (53-K.Bulluck). FUMBLES (53-K.Bulluck), touched at TEN 39, RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at TEN 39. 21-S.Rolle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on HOU-69 [WPA -29.1% · EPA -9.48]
  • Houston Texans (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) 8-D.Carr pass to 80-A.Johnson to TEN 20 for 42 yards (22-A.Dyson). (30 yards after catch.) [WPA +20.2% · EPA +2.77]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q2 5:01) — (5:01) 9-S.McNair pass to 86-J.McCareins to HOU 1 for 73 yards (43-K.Wright). (31 yards after catch.) [WPA +19.8% · EPA +5.56]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Tennessee Titans (Q3 8:59) — (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.McCree for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -35.5% · EPA -11.63]
  • Houston Texans (Q3 5:35) — (5:35) 37-D.Davis left end to TEN 39 for 3 yards (53-K.Bulluck). FUMBLES (53-K.Bulluck), touched at TEN 39, RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at TEN 39. 21-S.Rolle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on HOU-69 [WPA -29.1% · EPA -9.48]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q2 5:01) — (5:01) 9-S.McNair pass to 86-J.McCareins to HOU 1 for 73 yards (43-K.Wright). (31 yards after catch.) [WPA +19.8% · EPA +5.56]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +58.6% · EPA +4.58]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 10:46 · TEN 31 · Score 0-3
    (10:46) 3-K.Brown 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  2. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 3:21 · HOU 2 · Score 6-3
    (3:21) 9-S.McNair pass to 88-E.Kinney for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 3:16 · HOU 2 · Score 7-3
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  4. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · HOU 23 · Score 10-3
    (:05) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  5. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 8:59 · HOU 11 · Score 10-9
    (8:59) 9-S.McNair pass intended for 85-D.Mason INTERCEPTED by 29-M.McCree at HOU 5. 29-M.McCree for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 8:44 · TEN 2 · Score 10-10
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  7. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 5:35 · TEN 42 · Score 16-10
    (5:35) 37-D.Davis left end to TEN 39 for 3 yards (53-K.Bulluck). FUMBLES (53-K.Bulluck), touched at TEN 39, RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at TEN 39. 21-S.Rolle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on HOU-69
  8. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 5:18 · HOU 2 · Score 17-10
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  9. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 2:55 · TEN 20 · Score 17-16
    (2:55) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 2:55 · TEN 2 · Score 17-17
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  11. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q4 11:44 · HOU 8 · Score 20-17
    (11:44) 1-G.Anderson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 1:53 · TEN 5 · Score 20-23
    (1:53) 37-D.Davis left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 1:48 · TEN 2 · Score 20-24
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  14. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 0:24 · HOU 23 · Score 26-24
    (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  15. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 0:17 · HOU 2 · Score 27-24
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

Key takeaways

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

  • Tennessee Titans earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • D. Bennett (Tennessee Titans) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans on 2003-12-21?

The Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texans 27-24 in Week 16, 2003.

What was the score by quarter in Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans?

Q2: Tennessee Titans 10, Houston Texans 3; Q3: Tennessee Titans 7, Houston Texans 14; Q4: Tennessee Titans 10, Houston Texans 7; Final: Tennessee Titans 27, Houston Texans 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans?

Tennessee Titans touchdown — E. Kinney (S. McNair pass) (Q2 3:21) Houston Texans touchdown — M. McCree (Q3 8:59) Tennessee Titans touchdown — D. Davis (Q3 5:35) Houston Texans touchdown — C. Bradford (D. Carr pass) (Q3 2:55) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Davis (Q4 1:53) Tennessee Titans touchdown — D. Bennett (S. McNair pass) (Q4 0:24) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q2 10:46, 3 pts) Tennessee Titans field goal — G. Anderson (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) Tennessee Titans field goal — G. Anderson (Q4 11:44, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans?

Derek Carr (Houston Texans), 45.9% completion, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -2.22 total passing EPA. S. McNair (Tennessee Titans), 48.6% completion, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.35 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans?

D. Bennett (Tennessee Titans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.37 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps. Their top snap (+4.58 EPA): (:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Tennessee Titans won 27-24 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Tennessee Titans

Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W

Houston Texans

Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L

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