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NFL · Week 1 · September 7, 2003 · 12 min read

Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins: 2003 Week 1 Recap

Texans defeat Dolphins 21–20 in Week 1

C.Chambers led Fantasy Impact as Texans prevailed in a 21–20 Week 1 finish.

Houston Texans 21 1–0 Winner
Final 21–20
Miami Dolphins 20 0–1
Winner
Houston Texans
Final score
21–20
Halftime
Houston Texans 6–14 Miami Dolphins
Top passer
J. Fiedler
FantasyHQ MVP
C.Chambers
Game date
September 7, 2003

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • Derek Carr
    Derek Carr 17/32 · 266 YDS · 1 TD +9.7 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Gaffney 3 REC · 70 YDS +7.6 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Bradford 2 REC · 85 YDS · 1 TD +7.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

  • C.Chambers 7 REC · 118 YDS · 2 TD +13.6 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Fiedler 17/36 · 215 YDS · 3 TD +4.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Ryan Williams
    Ryan Williams 5 REC · 60 YDS · 1 TD +2.8 Fantasy Impact
View Texans vs Dolphins box score View all 2003 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Houston Texans
Final score
Houston Texans 21–20 Miami Dolphins
Halftime
Houston Texans 6–14 Miami Dolphins at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
C. Chambers
Top passer
J. Fiedler
Biggest EPA play
(4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2003-09-07

Game summary

The Houston Texans beat the Miami Dolphins 21–20 on 2003-09-07, overcoming Miami Dolphins's 14–6 halftime lead. C. Chambers posted a game-high +13.61 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Houston Texans3396021
Miami Dolphins01406020

Scoring Map

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

HOUHouston Texans
MIAMiami Dolphins

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 5:14FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 18
    Score
    3-0

    (5:14) 3-K.Brown 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-[48], Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  2. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q2 9:34TD
    CCC. Chambers

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 57
    Score
    3-6

    (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q2 9:20XP
    OMO. Mare

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    3-7

    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-40-S.McDermott, Holder-3-M.Royals.

  4. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 6:22FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 32
    Score
    6-7

    (6:22) 3-K.Brown 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  5. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q2 1:11TD
    CCC. Chambers

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 21
    Score
    6-13

    (1:11) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q2 1:00XP
    OMO. Mare

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    6-14

    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-40-S.McDermott, Holder-3-M.Royals.

  7. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 4:34TD
    CBC. Bradford

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIA 78
    Score
    12-14

    (4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 0:25FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 5
    Score
    15-14

    (:25) 3-K.Brown 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  9. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q4 12:37TD
    Ryan Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 35
    Score
    15-20

    (12:37) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 34-R.Williams for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 4:59FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 6
    Score
    18-20

    (4:59) 3-K.Brown 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  11. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 0:30FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 17
    Score
    21-20

    (:30) 3-K.Brown 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +13.61 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.94 EPA/play
  2. 2Derek CarrDerek Carr · Houston Texans · Passing · +9.74 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
  3. 3J. Gaffney · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.53 EPA/play
  4. 4C. Bradford · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.01 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.50 EPA/play
  5. 5Austin JohnsonAustin Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.73 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
  6. 6J. Fiedler · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +4.47 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
  7. 7Ryan WilliamsRyan Williams · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
  8. 8R. Konrad · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 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

C. Chambers — MIA · Receiving

C. Chambers posted the highest total EPA (+13.61) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Miami Dolphins. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.94 EPA per play.

C. Chambers's top snap (+5.20 EPA): (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (+6.57 EPA): Derek Carr — (4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

J. Fiedler led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · +0.12 EPA/play · +4.47 total EPA
  • Derek CarrDerek Carr (Houston Texans) · 32 dropbacks · 53.1% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +9.74 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatHouston TexansMiami Dolphins
Offensive EPA/play-0.003-0.063
Offensive success rate33.0%36.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.246+0.112
Rush EPA/play-0.143-0.384
Defensive EPA/play+0.063+0.003
Defensive success rate63.4%67.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Houston Texans generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.00 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Houston Texans: -0.00 EPA/play (52nd percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Miami Dolphins: -0.06 EPA/play (37th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: 13 drives, -0.25 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Miami Dolphins: 14 drives, -5.19 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Miami Dolphins — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q2 9:34)
  • Miami Dolphins — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q2 1:11)
  • Houston Texans — C. Bradford (Derek Carr pass) (Q3 4:34)
  • Ryan WilliamsMiami Dolphins — Ryan Williams (J. Fiedler pass) (Q4 12:37)

Field goals

  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q1 5:14)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q2 6:22)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q3 0:25)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q4 4:59)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q4 0:30)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 18 (Q1 5:14) — (5:14) 3-K.Brown 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-[48], Holder-7-C.Stanley..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–3. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the HOU 57 (Q2 9:34) — (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 9:20) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-40-S.McDermott, Holder-3-M.Royals.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 32 (Q2 6:22) — (6:22) 3-K.Brown 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the HOU 21 (Q2 1:11) — (1:11) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 1:00) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-40-S.McDermott, Holder-3-M.Royals..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 9–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the MIA 78 (Q3 4:34) — (4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 5 (Q3 0:25) — (:25) 3-K.Brown 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the HOU 35 (Q4 12:37) — (12:37) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 34-R.Williams for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 6 (Q4 4:59) — (4:59) 3-K.Brown 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIA 17 (Q4 0:30) — (:30) 3-K.Brown 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Miami Dolphins (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass intended for 83-S.Simmons INTERCEPTED by 42-M.Coleman at HOU 5. 42-M.Coleman to HOU 5 for no gain (83-S.Simmons). [WPA -29.2% · EPA -0.08]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:01) — (4:01) 9-J.Fiedler pass INTERCEPTED by 42-M.Coleman at MIA 39. 42-M.Coleman ran ob at MIA 36 for 3 yards. [WPA -26.2% · EPA -2.46]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q2 9:34) — (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +5.20]
  • Houston Texans (Q3 4:34) — (4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +6.57]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q2 7:49) — (7:49) 34-R.Williams up the middle to 50 for 3 yards (42-M.Coleman). FUMBLES (42-M.Coleman), RECOVERED by HOU-50-C.Clemons at HOU 49. PENALTY on MIA-71-T.Wade, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enfor [WPA -16.5% · EPA -5.43]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Houston Texans (Q3 4:34) — (4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +6.57]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q2 7:49) — (7:49) 34-R.Williams up the middle to 50 for 3 yards (42-M.Coleman). FUMBLES (42-M.Coleman), RECOVERED by HOU-50-C.Clemons at HOU 49. PENALTY on MIA-71-T.Wade, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enfor [WPA -16.5% · EPA -5.43]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q2 9:34) — (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +5.20]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q2 1:11) — (1:11) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.2% · EPA +3.92]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 5:14 · MIA 18 · Score 3-0
    (5:14) 3-K.Brown 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-[48], Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  2. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 9:34 · HOU 57 · Score 3-6
    (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 9:20 · HOU 2 · Score 3-7
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-40-S.McDermott, Holder-3-M.Royals.
  4. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 6:22 · MIA 32 · Score 6-7
    (6:22) 3-K.Brown 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  5. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 1:11 · HOU 21 · Score 6-13
    (1:11) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 1:00 · HOU 2 · Score 6-14
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-40-S.McDermott, Holder-3-M.Royals.
  7. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 4:34 · MIA 78 · Score 12-14
    (4:34) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 0:25 · MIA 5 · Score 15-14
    (:25) 3-K.Brown 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  9. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 12:37 · HOU 35 · Score 15-20
    (12:37) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 34-R.Williams for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 4:59 · MIA 6 · Score 18-20
    (4:59) 3-K.Brown 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  11. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 0:30 · MIA 17 · Score 21-20
    (:30) 3-K.Brown 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

Key takeaways

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

  • Houston Texans earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • C. Chambers (Miami Dolphins) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins on 2003-09-07?

The Houston Texans beat the Miami Dolphins 21-20 in Week 1, 2003.

What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?

Q1: Houston Texans 3, Miami Dolphins 0; Q2: Houston Texans 3, Miami Dolphins 14; Q3: Houston Texans 9, Miami Dolphins 0; Q4: Houston Texans 6, Miami Dolphins 6; Final: Houston Texans 21, Miami Dolphins 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?

Miami Dolphins touchdown — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q2 9:34) Miami Dolphins touchdown — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q2 1:11) Houston Texans touchdown — C. Bradford (D. Carr pass) (Q3 4:34) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Williams (J. Fiedler pass) (Q4 12:37) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q1 5:14, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q2 6:22, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q3 0:25, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q4 4:59, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q4 0:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?

J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins), 47.2% completion, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +4.47 total passing EPA. Derek Carr (Houston Texans), 53.1% completion, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +9.74 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins?

C. Chambers (Miami Dolphins) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +13.61 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 7 snaps. Their top snap (+5.20 EPA): (9:34) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Houston Texans won 21-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Houston Texans

Now 1-0 W

Miami Dolphins

Now 0-1 L

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