Quick answer
- Winner
- Arizona Cardinals
- Final score
- Arizona Cardinals 28–21 Houston Texans
- Halftime
- Houston Texans 0–21 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- L. Fitzgerald
- Top passer
- M. Schaub
- Biggest EPA play
- (2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cr…
- Game date
- 2009-10-11
Game summary
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Houston Texans 28–21 on 2009-10-11. L. Fitzgerald posted a game-high +8.25 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
 Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
HOUHouston Texans(9:32) 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
(1:50) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
(:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
(3:43) 22-C.Brown up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
(13:09) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 80-A.Johnson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
(7:09) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 80-A.Johnson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
(2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at HOU 49. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
ARIArizona CardinalsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q1 9:32TD THT. HightowerPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 1
- Score
- 0-6
(9:32) 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q1 9:29XP NRN. RackersPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 0-7
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 1:50TD LFL. FitzgeraldPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 9
- Score
- 0-13
(1:50) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 1:44XP NRN. RackersPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 0-14
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 0:27TD LFL. FitzgeraldPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 26
- Score
- 0-20
(:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 0:21XP NRN. RackersPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 0-21
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 3:43TD Charles BrownPoints+6
- Yard line
- ARI 1
- Score
- 6-21
(3:43) 22-C.Brown up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 3:39XP Points+1
- Yard line
- ARI 2
- Score
- 7-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 13:09TD Austin JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- ARI 11
- Score
- 13-21
(13:09) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 80-A.Johnson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 12:18XP Points+1
- Yard line
- ARI 2
- Score
- 14-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 7:09TD Austin JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- ARI 17
- Score
- 20-21
(7:09) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 80-A.Johnson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 6:59XP Points+1
- Yard line
- ARI 2
- Score
- 21-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 2:30TD DRD. Rodgers-CromartiePoints+6
- Yard line
- ARI 58
- Score
- 21-27
(2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at HOU 49. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 2:20XP NRN. RackersPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 21-28
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +8.25 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
- 2M. Schaub · Houston Texans · Passing · +6.98 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 3O. Daniels · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.62 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 4S. Slaton · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.15 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 5Austin Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 6S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 7V. Leach · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.80 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 8
Darius Anderson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.45 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
L. Fitzgerald — ARI · Receiving
L. Fitzgerald posted the highest total EPA (+8.25) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.37 EPA per play.
L. Fitzgerald's top snap (+3.96 EPA): (:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Biggest single play (-7.69 EPA): M. Schaub — (2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at HOU 49. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
M. Schaub led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M. Schaub (Houston Texans) · 53 dropbacks · 66.0% completion · +5.6% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.98 total EPA
- Kade Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 42 dropbacks · 61.9% completion · +1.7% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.72 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.066 | -0.013 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.9% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.132 | +0.017 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.419 | -0.051 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.013 | +0.066 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 51.1% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Houston Texans: -0.07 EPA/play (35th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: -0.01 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, -0.97 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Houston Texans: 13 drives, -6.11 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower
- Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (Kade Warner pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (Kade Warner pass)
- Houston Texans — Charles Brown
- Houston Texans — Austin Johnson (M. Schaub pass)
- Houston Texans — Austin Johnson (M. Schaub pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — D. Rodgers-Cromartie
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q1 9:32) — (9:32) 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 9:29) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..
The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 9 (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 1:44) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the HOU 26 (Q2 0:27) — (:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q2 0:21) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..
The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 3:43) — (3:43) 22-C.Brown up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 3:39) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk..
The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 14–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 11 (Q4 13:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 80-A.Johnson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:18) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ARI 17 (Q4 7:09) — (7:09) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 80-A.Johnson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 6:59) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 58 (Q4 2:30); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 2:20) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Houston Texans (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at HOU 49. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:47) — (:47) 22-C.Brown up the middle to ARI 1 for no gain (95-A.Highsmith). The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 2:35) — (2:35) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 81-A.Boldin to HOU 2 for 7 yards (26-E.Wilson). FUMBLES (26-E.Wilson), RECOVERED by HOU-59-D.Ryans at HOU 1. 59-D.Ryans pushed ob at HOU 30 for 29 yards (13-K.Wa
- Houston Texans (Q4 7:09) — (7:09) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 80-A.Johnson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:52) — (:52) 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete short left to 85-J.Dreessen.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Houston Texans (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at HOU 49. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 2:35) — (2:35) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 81-A.Boldin to HOU 2 for 7 yards (26-E.Wilson). FUMBLES (26-E.Wilson), RECOVERED by HOU-59-D.Ryans at HOU 1. 59-D.Ryans pushed ob at HOU 30 for 29 yards (13-K.Wa
- Houston Texans (Q3 11:01) — (11:01) 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete deep right to 80-A.Johnson.
- Houston Texans (Q2 13:26) — (13:26) 3-K.Brown 35 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-C.Campbell), Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 9:32 · HOU 1 · Score 0-6
(9:32) 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 9:29 · HOU 2 · Score 0-7
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 1:50 · HOU 9 · Score 0-13
(1:50) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 1:44 · HOU 2 · Score 0-14
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 0:27 · HOU 26 · Score 0-20
(:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 0:21 · HOU 2 · Score 0-21
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 3:43 · ARI 1 · Score 6-21
(3:43) 22-C.Brown up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 3:39 · ARI 2 · Score 7-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 13:09 · ARI 11 · Score 13-21
(13:09) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 80-A.Johnson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 12:18 · ARI 2 · Score 14-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 7:09 · ARI 17 · Score 20-21
(7:09) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle to 80-A.Johnson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 6:59 · ARI 2 · Score 21-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dreessen, Holder-1-M.Turk. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:30 · ARI 58 · Score 21-27
(2:30) 8-M.Schaub pass short right intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at HOU 49. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 2:20 · HOU 2 · Score 21-28
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Arizona Cardinals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- M. Schaub (HOU) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals on 2009-10-11?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Houston Texans 28-21 in Week 5, 2009.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: Houston Texans 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: Houston Texans 0, Arizona Cardinals 14; Q3: Houston Texans 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Houston Texans 14, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Houston Texans 21, Arizona Cardinals 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. Hightower (Q1 9:32) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q2 1:50) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q2 0:27) Houston Texans touchdown — C. Brown (Q3 3:43) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Johnson (M. Schaub pass) (Q4 13:09) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Johnson (M. Schaub pass) (Q4 7:09) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Q4 2:30) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals?
M. Schaub (Houston Texans), 66.0% completion, +5.6% CPOE, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +6.98 total passing EPA. Kade Warner (Arizona Cardinals), 61.9% completion, +1.7% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.72 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals?
L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.25 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+3.96 EPA): (:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Arizona Cardinals won 28-21 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 2-2 Now 2-3 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W
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