Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans: 2017 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-01, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Tennessee Titans, pulling away with a 57–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Watson (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with +26.87 total EPA, and +11.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Watson (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +26.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-5.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (14:10) (Shotgun) 8-M.Mariota pass deep left intended for 82-D.Walker INTERCEPTED by 29-A.Hal at TEN 46. 29-A.Hal to TEN 43 for 3 yards (13-T.Taylor).

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 D. Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +26.87 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +8.50 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Miller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Mariota · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +4.52 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
5. 5 W.Fuller V · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Anderson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.08 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Ellington · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.77 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Miller · Houston Texans · Rushing · +1.32 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.07 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 — L. Miller (Q1 57:17)
• Houston Texans — D. Hopkins (D. Watson pass) (Q1 50:14)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q2 45:00)
• Tennessee Titans — M. Mariota (Q2 41:51)
• Tennessee Titans — M. Mariota (Q2 32:00)
• Houston Texans — D. Watson (Q2 31:23)
• Houston Texans — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q3 21:58)
• Houston Texans — L. Miller (D. Watson pass) (Q4 11:25)
• Houston Texans — D. Cole (Q4 8:39)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q2 36:06)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q4 8:44)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q4 3:39)

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 TEN 2 (Q1 57:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 26-L.Miller left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q1 57:13) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 8 (Q1 50:14) — (5:14) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q1 50:09) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 16–14. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 16 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 4-D.Watson pass deep right to 15-W.Fuller V for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q2 44:54) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 34 (Q2 41:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 8-M.Mariota left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 41:44) — 4-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TEN 32 (Q2 36:06) — (6:06) 7-K.Fairbairn 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 8-M.Mariota right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 31:50) — 4-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 10 (Q3 21:58) — (6:58) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller V for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q3 21:51) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 20–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the TEN 8 (Q4 11:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 26-L.Miller for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q4 11:19) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TEN 22 (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) 7-K.Fairbairn 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the HOU 75 (Q4 8:39); Houston Texans added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q4 8:31) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the TEN 15 (Q4 3:39) — (3:39) 7-K.Fairbairn 33 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.

• Tennessee Titans (Q1 59:10) — (14:10) (Shotgun) 8-M.Mariota pass deep left intended for 82-D.Walker INTERCEPTED by 29-A.Hal at TEN 46. 29-A.Hal to TEN 43 for 3 yards (13-T.Taylor). [WPA -5.8% · EPA -2.99]
• Houston Texans (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-B.Ellington to TEN 5 for 35 yards (26-L.Ryan). [WPA +5.4% · EPA +2.61]
• Houston Texans (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins to HOU 46 for 9 yards (25-A.Jackson). [WPA +3.7% · EPA +1.82]
• Houston Texans (Q1 52:26) — (7:26) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 84-R.Griffin to TEN 43 for 6 yards (55-J.Brown). [WPA +3.5% · EPA +1.35]
• Houston Texans (Q1 51:19) — (6:19) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 26-L.Miller pushed ob at TEN 9 for 32 yards (35-C.Riley). [WPA +3.4% · EPA +2.29]

Impact plays

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

• Tennessee Titans (Q4 8:39) — (8:39) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle intended for 82-D.Walker INTERCEPTED by 51-D.Cole at TEN 25. 51-D.Cole for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA -8.18]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 6:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel sacked at TEN 15 for -7 yards (90-J.Clowney). FUMBLES (90-J.Clowney) [90-J.Clowney], RECOVERED by HOU-92-B.Dunn at TEN 15. 92-B.Dunn to TEN 15 for no gain (16-M.Cassel). [WPA +0.0% · EPA -5.59]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 11:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep left intended for 18-R.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Gilchrist at HOU 41. 21-M.Gilchrist to TEN 42 for 17 yards (82-D.Walker). [WPA +0.0% · EPA -4.84]
• Tennessee Titans (Q2 41:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 8-M.Mariota left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.3% · EPA +3.82]

Quarterback report card

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

• D.Watson (Houston Texans) · 40 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +11.5% CPOE · +0.67 EPA/play · +26.87 total EPA
• M.Cassel (Tennessee Titans) · 12 dropbacks · 33.3% completion · -20.7% CPOE · -1.87 EPA/play · -22.40 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.26 vs -0.39), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Houston Texans: 13 drives, +26.68 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 14 drives, -23.07 total EPA, 3 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.
• D. Watson (Houston Texans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Watson (HOU) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Cassel (TEN) 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 57:17 · TEN 2 · Score 0-6
   (12:17) (Shotgun) 26-L.Miller left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 57:13 · TEN 15 · Score 0-7
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
3. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 50:14 · TEN 8 · Score 0-13
   (5:14) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 50:09 · TEN 15 · Score 0-14
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
5. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · TEN 16 · Score 0-20
   (15:00) 4-D.Watson pass deep right to 15-W.Fuller V for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · TEN 15 · Score 0-21
   7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
7. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 41:51 · HOU 34 · Score 6-21
   (11:51) (Shotgun) 8-M.Mariota left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 41:44 · HOU 15 · Score 7-21
   4-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
9. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 36:06 · TEN 32 · Score 7-24
   (6:06) 7-K.Fairbairn 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
10. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · HOU 2 · Score 13-24
    (2:00) 8-M.Mariota right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 31:50 · HOU 15 · Score 14-24
    4-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 31:23 · TEN 1 · Score 14-30
    (1:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 21:58 · TEN 10 · Score 14-36
    (6:58) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller V for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 21:51 · TEN 15 · Score 14-37
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
15. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 11:25 · TEN 8 · Score 14-43
    (11:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 26-L.Miller for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 11:19 · TEN 15 · Score 14-44
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
17. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 8:44 · TEN 22 · Score 14-47
    (8:44) 7-K.Fairbairn 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
18. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 8:39 · HOU 75 · Score 14-53
    (8:39) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle intended for 82-D.Walker INTERCEPTED by 51-D.Cole at TEN 25. 51-D.Cole for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 8:31 · TEN 15 · Score 14-54
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
20. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 3:39 · TEN 15 · Score 14-57
    (3:39) 7-K.Fairbairn 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.