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NFL · Week 15 · December 18, 2005 · 12 min read

Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans: 2005 Week 15 Recap

Texans defeat Cardinals 30–19 in Week 15

A.Boldin led Fantasy Impact as Texans prevailed in a 19–30 Week 15 finish.

Arizona Cardinals 19 4–10
Final 19–30
Houston Texans 30 2–12 Winner
Winner
Houston Texans
Final score
19–30
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 10–24 Houston Texans
Top passer
Derek Carr
FantasyHQ MVP
A.Boldin
Game date
December 18, 2005

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • A.Boldin 8 REC · 134 YDS · 1 TD +7.8 Fantasy Impact
  • L.Fitzgerald 6 REC · 85 YDS · 1 TD +5.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Kade Warner 10/13 · 103 YDS · 1 TD +5.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • Austin Johnson
    Austin Johnson 7 REC · 51 YDS +4.6 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Gaffney 5 REC · 39 YDS +3.3 Fantasy Impact
  • V.Morency 5 CAR · 32 YDS · 1 TD +1.9 Fantasy Impact
View Cardinals vs Texans box score View all 2005 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Houston Texans
Final score
Houston Texans 30–19 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 10–24 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
A. Boldin
Top passer
Derek Carr
Biggest EPA play
(:45) (Shotgun) 16-J.Navarre pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald to HOU 17 for 40 yards (24-C.Brown).
Game date
2005-12-18

Game summary

The Houston Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals 30–19 on 2005-12-18. A. Boldin posted a game-high +7.84 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Arizona Cardinals3709019
Houston Texans02433030

Scoring Map

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

ARIArizona Cardinals
HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 3:47FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 8
    Score
    3-0

    (3:47) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  2. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 14:28TD
    Josh Wells

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 7
    Score
    3-6

    (14:28) 32-J.Wells up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 14:23XP
    Kyron Brown

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    3-7

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

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 10:23TD
    ABA. Boldin

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 20
    Score
    9-7

    (10:23) 13-K.Warner pass to 81-A.Boldin for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (7 yards after catch.)

  5. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 10:16XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    10-7

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  6. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 5:06TD
    VMV. Morency

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 25
    Score
    10-13

    (5:06) 34-V.Morency left end for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on HOU-34-V.Morency, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

  7. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 4:57XP
    Kyron Brown

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    10-14

    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley. Penalty on ARI, Personal Foul, offsetting. Penalty on HOU-69-C.Pitts, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, offsetting.

  8. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 1:55TD
    Josh Wells

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 3
    Score
    10-20

    (1:55) 32-J.Wells right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 1:50XP
    Kyron Brown

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    10-21

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

  10. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 0:12FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 9
    Score
    10-24

    (:12) 3-K.Brown 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  11. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 12:26FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 23
    Score
    10-27

    (12:26) 3-K.Brown 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.

  12. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 14:51FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 24
    Score
    13-27

    (14:51) 1-N.Rackers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  13. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 5:36TD
    LFL. Fitzgerald

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 12
    Score
    19-27

    (5:36) 16-J.Navarre pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 0:29FG
    Kyron Brown

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 8
    Score
    19-30

    (:29) 3-K.Brown 26 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. 1A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.84 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
  2. 2L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.38 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
  3. 3Kade Warner · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +4.96 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
  4. 4Austin JohnsonAustin Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
  5. 5L. McCoy · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
  6. 6J. Gaffney · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.34 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
  7. 7V. Morency · Houston Texans · Rushing · +1.95 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
  8. 8C. Bradford · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.75 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.58 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

A. Boldin — ARI · Receiving

A. Boldin posted the highest total EPA (+7.84) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.98 EPA per play.

A. Boldin's top snap (-3.34 EPA): (1:25) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 26-G.Earl at ARI 40. 26-G.Earl to ARI 38 for 2 yards (75-L.Davis). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.

Biggest single play (+4.33 EPA): J. Navarre — (:45) (Shotgun) 16-J.Navarre pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald to HOU 17 for 40 yards (24-C.Brown).

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 · 59.5% completion · -0.15 EPA/play · -5.50 total EPA
  • J. Navarre (Arizona Cardinals) · 29 dropbacks · 48.3% completion · -0.36 EPA/play · -10.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatArizona CardinalsHouston Texans
Offensive EPA/play-0.145-0.005
Offensive success rate39.0%50.6%
Pass EPA/play-0.191-0.149
Rush EPA/play-0.130-0.097
Defensive EPA/play+0.005+0.145
Defensive success rate49.4%61.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.14), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.14 EPA/play (18th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: -0.01 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -11.17 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Houston Texans: 13 drives, -0.41 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Josh WellsHouston Texans — Josh Wells (Q2 14:28)
  • Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (Kade Warner pass) (Q2 10:23)
  • Houston Texans — V. Morency (Q2 5:06)
  • Josh WellsHouston Texans — Josh Wells (Q2 1:55)
  • Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (J. Navarre pass) (Q4 5:36)

Field goals

  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 3:47)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q2 0:12)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q3 12:26)
  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 14:51)
  • Kyron BrownHouston Texans — Kyron Brown (Q4 0:29)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the HOU 8 (Q1 3:47) — (3:47) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 24–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q2 14:28) — (14:28) 32-J.Wells up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 14:23) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 20 (Q2 10:23) — (10:23) 13-K.Warner pass to 81-A.Boldin for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (7 yards after catch.); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 10:16) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 25 (Q2 5:06) — (5:06) 34-V.Morency left end for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on HOU-34-V.Morency, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 4:57); Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q2 1:55) — (1:55) 32-J.Wells right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 1:50) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q2 0:12) — (:12) 3-K.Brown 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 23 (Q3 12:26) — (12:26) 3-K.Brown 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 9–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the HOU 24 (Q4 14:51) — (14:51) 1-N.Rackers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 12 (Q4 5:36) — (5:36) 16-J.Navarre pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ARI 8 (Q4 0:29) — (:29) 3-K.Brown 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 4:57) — 3-K.Brown kicks 65 yards from HOU 15 to ARI 20. 87-R.Swinton to ARI 45 for 25 yards (44-M.Norris). FUMBLES (44-M.Norris), RECOVERED by HOU-50-C.Anderson at ARI 45. 50-C.Anderson to ARI 45 for no gain [WPA -10.2% · EPA -3.43]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 7:32) — (7:32) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass to 19-L.McCoy to HOU 23 for 16 yards (28-C.McKenzie). (No yards after catch.) [WPA +9.7% · EPA +2.47]
  • Houston Texans (Q2 5:06) — (5:06) 34-V.Morency left end for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on HOU-34-V.Morency, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.21]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 10:58) — (10:58) 13-K.Warner pass to 81-A.Boldin ran ob at HOU 20 for 22 yards (56-M.Greenwood). (10 yards after catch.) [WPA +7.5% · EPA +1.63]
  • Houston Texans (Q1 10:40) — (10:40) 32-J.Wells left end to 50 for -1 yards (57-O.Huff, 27-D.Macklin). [WPA -7.4% · EPA -3.13]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 0:45) — (:45) (Shotgun) 16-J.Navarre pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald to HOU 17 for 40 yards (24-C.Brown). [WPA +3.2% · EPA +4.33]
  • Houston Texans (Q4 8:59) — (8:59) 8-D.Carr sacked at ARI 42 for -5 yards (72-R.Kolodziej). FUMBLES (72-R.Kolodziej), RECOVERED by ARI-58-K.Dansby at ARI 42. 58-K.Dansby to ARI 42 for no gain (70-F.Weary). [WPA -2.8% · EPA -4.19]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 4:57) — 3-K.Brown kicks 65 yards from HOU 15 to ARI 20. 87-R.Swinton to ARI 45 for 25 yards (44-M.Norris). FUMBLES (44-M.Norris), RECOVERED by HOU-50-C.Anderson at ARI 45. 50-C.Anderson to ARI 45 for no gain [WPA -10.2% · EPA -3.43]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 1:25) — (1:25) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 26-G.Earl at ARI 40. 26-G.Earl to ARI 38 for 2 yards (75-L.Davis). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. [WPA -4.1% · EPA -3.34]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 3:47 · HOU 8 · Score 3-0
    (3:47) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  2. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 14:28 · ARI 7 · Score 3-6
    (14:28) 32-J.Wells up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 14:23 · ARI 2 · Score 3-7
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 10:23 · HOU 20 · Score 9-7
    (10:23) 13-K.Warner pass to 81-A.Boldin for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (7 yards after catch.)
  5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 10:16 · HOU 2 · Score 10-7
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  6. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 5:06 · ARI 25 · Score 10-13
    (5:06) 34-V.Morency left end for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on HOU-34-V.Morency, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
  7. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 4:57 · ARI 2 · Score 10-14
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley. Penalty on ARI, Personal Foul, offsetting. Penalty on HOU-69-C.Pitts, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, offsetting.
  8. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 1:55 · ARI 3 · Score 10-20
    (1:55) 32-J.Wells right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 1:50 · ARI 2 · Score 10-21
    3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  10. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 0:12 · ARI 9 · Score 10-24
    (:12) 3-K.Brown 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  11. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 12:26 · ARI 23 · Score 10-27
    (12:26) 3-K.Brown 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Pittman, Holder-7-C.Stanley.
  12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 14:51 · HOU 24 · Score 13-27
    (14:51) 1-N.Rackers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 5:36 · HOU 12 · Score 19-27
    (5:36) 16-J.Navarre pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 0:29 · ARI 8 · Score 19-30
    (:29) 3-K.Brown 26 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.
  • A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans on 2005-12-18?

The Houston Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals 30-19 in Week 15, 2005.

What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Arizona Cardinals 3, Houston Texans 0; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 7, Houston Texans 24; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 0, Houston Texans 3; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 9, Houston Texans 3; Final: Arizona Cardinals 19, Houston Texans 30.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

Houston Texans touchdown — J. Wells (Q2 14:28) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Boldin (K. Warner pass) (Q2 10:23) Houston Texans touchdown — V. Morency (Q2 5:06) Houston Texans touchdown — J. Wells (Q2 1:55) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (J. Navarre pass) (Q4 5:36) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q1 3:47, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q2 0:12, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q3 12:26, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q4 14:51, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q4 0:29, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

Derek Carr (Houston Texans), 59.5% completion, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -5.50 total passing EPA. J. Navarre (Arizona Cardinals), 48.3% completion, -0.36 EPA per dropback, -10.35 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans?

A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.84 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (-3.34 EPA): (1:25) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 26-G.Earl at ARI 40. 26-G.Earl to ARI 38 for 2 yards (75-L.Davis). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld..

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 4-9 Now 4-10 L

Houston Texans

Entered 1-12 Now 2-12 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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