FantasyHQ+

FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 16 · December 26, 2010 · 12 min read

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos: 2010 Week 16 Recap

Broncos defeat Texans 24–23 in Week 16

T.Tebow led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 23–24 Week 16 finish.

Houston Texans 23 5–10
Final 23–24
Denver Broncos 24 4–11 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
23–24
Halftime
Houston Texans 17–0 Denver Broncos
Top passer
T. Tebow
FantasyHQ MVP
T.Tebow
Game date
December 26, 2010

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • M.Schaub 23/34 · 310 YDS · 1 TD +9.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Justin Jones
    Justin Jones 5 REC · 115 YDS +7.9 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Foster 20 CAR · 91 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • T.Tebow 16/35 · 318 YDS · 1 TD +13.3 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Buckhalter 3 REC · 50 YDS · 1 TD +6.5 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Gaffney 4 REC · 90 YDS +4.5 Fantasy Impact
View Texans vs Broncos box score View all 2010 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 24–23 Houston Texans
Halftime
Houston Texans 17–0 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
T. Tebow
Top passer
T. Tebow
Biggest EPA play
(11:46) 15-T.Tebow pass short right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Allen at H…
Game date
2010-12-26

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Houston Texans 24–23 on 2010-12-26, overcoming Houston Texans's 17–0 halftime lead. T. Tebow posted a game-high +13.31 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 16 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Houston Texans71060023
Denver Broncos001014024

Scoring Map

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

HOUHouston Texans
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 2:48TD
    AFA. Foster

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 3
    Score
    6-0

    (2:48) 23-A.Foster right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 2:41XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    7-0

    4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.

  3. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 11:51TD
    ODO. Daniels

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 3
    Score
    13-0

    (11:51) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 81-O.Daniels for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 11:43XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    14-0

    4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.

  5. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 0:26FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 16
    Score
    17-0

    (:26) 4-N.Rackers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 13:03TD
    CBC. Buckhalter

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 6
    Score
    17-6

    (13:03) 28-C.Buckhalter up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 12:58XP
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    17-7

    3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  8. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 10:19FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 36
    Score
    20-7

    (10:19) 4-N.Rackers 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.

  9. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 7:10FG
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 9
    Score
    20-10

    (7:10) 3-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  10. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 2:38FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 38
    Score
    23-10

    (2:38) 4-N.Rackers 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 11:05TD
    CBC. Buckhalter

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 23
    Score
    23-16

    (11:05) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 10:55XP
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    23-17

    3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  13. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 3:11TD
    TTT. Tebow

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 6
    Score
    23-23

    (3:11) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 3:02XP
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    23-24

    3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1T. Tebow · Denver Broncos · Passing · +13.31 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
  2. 2M. Schaub · Houston Texans · Passing · +9.88 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
  3. 3Justin JonesJustin Jones · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.92 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
  4. 4C. Buckhalter · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.48 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.16 EPA/play
  5. 5J. Gaffney · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.49 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
  6. 6A. Foster · Houston Texans · Rushing · +2.85 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
  7. 7B. Lloyd · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.58 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
  8. 8T. Tebow · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.99 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.28 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

T. Tebow — DEN · Passing

T. Tebow posted the highest total EPA (+13.31) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Denver Broncos. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.38 EPA per play.

T. Tebow's top snap (-5.17 EPA): (11:46) 15-T.Tebow pass short right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Allen at HOU 0. Touchback.

Quarterback report card

T. Tebow led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • T. Tebow (Denver Broncos) · 35 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · -1.9% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +13.31 total EPA
  • M. Schaub (Houston Texans) · 34 dropbacks · 67.6% completion · +3.0% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +9.88 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatHouston TexansDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play+0.194+0.159
Offensive success rate43.1%45.7%
Pass EPA/play+0.291+0.380
Rush EPA/play-0.031+0.021
Defensive EPA/play-0.159-0.194
Defensive success rate54.3%56.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Houston Texans +0.19, Denver Broncos +0.16) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Houston Texans: +0.19 EPA/play (90th percentile vs. 2010 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: +0.16 EPA/play (86th percentile vs. 2010 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +12.87 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Houston Texans: 10 drives, +13.98 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Houston Texans — A. Foster (Q1 2:48)
  • Houston Texans — O. Daniels (M. Schaub pass) (Q2 11:51)
  • Denver Broncos — C. Buckhalter (Q3 13:03)
  • Denver Broncos — C. Buckhalter (T. Tebow pass) (Q4 11:05)
  • Denver Broncos — T. Tebow (Q4 3:11)

Field goals

  • Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q2 0:26)
  • Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q3 10:19)
  • Denver Broncos — S. Hauschka (Q3 7:10)
  • Houston Texans — N. Rackers (Q3 2:38)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q1 2:48) — (2:48) 23-A.Foster right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 2:41) — 4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q2 11:51) — (11:51) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 81-O.Daniels for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 11:43) — 4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DEN 16 (Q2 0:26) — (:26) 4-N.Rackers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–6. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the HOU 6 (Q3 13:03) — (13:03) 28-C.Buckhalter up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 12:58) — 3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DEN 36 (Q3 10:19) — (10:19) 4-N.Rackers 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the HOU 9 (Q3 7:10) — (7:10) 3-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DEN 38 (Q3 2:38) — (2:38) 4-N.Rackers 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the HOU 23 (Q4 11:05) — (11:05) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 10:55) — 3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the HOU 6 (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 3:02) — 3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Houston Texans (Q4 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short middle intended for 81-O.Daniels INTERCEPTED by 22-S.Thompson (97-J.Bannan) at DEN 25. 22-S.Thompson to DEN 27 for 2 yards (81-O.Daniels). [WPA -44.5% · EPA -1.94]
  • Denver Broncos (Q1 11:46) — (11:46) 15-T.Tebow pass short right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Allen at HOU 0. Touchback. [WPA -14.5% · EPA -5.17]
  • Houston Texans (Q4 1:59) — (1:59) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 85-J.Dreessen pushed ob at DEN 40 for 15 yards (20-B.Dawkins). [WPA +12.7% · EPA +1.00]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +2.24]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 3:21) — (3:21) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass incomplete short left to 19-E.Royal. PENALTY on HOU-29-G.Quin, Defensive Pass Interference, 9 yards, enforced at HOU 10 - No Play. [WPA +9.9% · EPA +2.26]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Denver Broncos (Q1 11:46) — (11:46) 15-T.Tebow pass short right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Allen at HOU 0. Touchback. [WPA -14.5% · EPA -5.17]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 11:05) — (11:05) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.7% · EPA +3.96]
  • Houston Texans (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 12-J.Jones to DEN 38 for 47 yards (59-W.Woodyard). [WPA +9.1% · EPA +3.76]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 14:32) — (14:32) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 10-J.Gaffney to HOU 15 for 50 yards (33-T.Nolan). [WPA +4.0% · EPA +3.06]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 2:48 · DEN 3 · Score 6-0
    (2:48) 23-A.Foster right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 2:41 · DEN 2 · Score 7-0
    4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.
  3. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 11:51 · DEN 3 · Score 13-0
    (11:51) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 81-O.Daniels for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 11:43 · DEN 2 · Score 14-0
    4-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.
  5. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 0:26 · DEN 16 · Score 17-0
    (:26) 4-N.Rackers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.
  6. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 13:03 · HOU 6 · Score 17-6
    (13:03) 28-C.Buckhalter up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 12:58 · HOU 2 · Score 17-7
    3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  8. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 10:19 · DEN 36 · Score 20-7
    (10:19) 4-N.Rackers 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.
  9. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 7:10 · HOU 9 · Score 20-10
    (7:10) 3-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  10. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 2:38 · DEN 38 · Score 23-10
    (2:38) 4-N.Rackers 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-1-M.Turk.
  11. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 11:05 · HOU 23 · Score 23-16
    (11:05) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 10:55 · HOU 2 · Score 23-17
    3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  13. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 3:11 · HOU 6 · Score 23-23
    (3:11) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 3:02 · HOU 2 · Score 23-24
    3-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

Key takeaways

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Who won Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos on 2010-12-26?

The Denver Broncos beat the Houston Texans 24-23 in Week 16, 2010.

What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Houston Texans 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q2: Houston Texans 10, Denver Broncos 0; Q3: Houston Texans 6, Denver Broncos 10; Q4: Houston Texans 0, Denver Broncos 14; Final: Houston Texans 23, Denver Broncos 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?

Houston Texans touchdown — A. Foster (Q1 2:48) Houston Texans touchdown — O. Daniels (M. Schaub pass) (Q2 11:51) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Buckhalter (Q3 13:03) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Buckhalter (T. Tebow pass) (Q4 11:05) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Tebow (Q4 3:11) Houston Texans field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 0:26, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — N. Rackers (Q3 10:19, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — S. Hauschka (Q3 7:10, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — N. Rackers (Q3 2:38, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?

T. Tebow (Denver Broncos), 45.7% completion, -1.9% CPOE, +0.38 EPA per dropback, +13.31 total passing EPA. M. Schaub (Houston Texans), 67.6% completion, +3.0% CPOE, +0.29 EPA per dropback, +9.88 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?

T. Tebow (Denver Broncos) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +13.31 total EPA on Passing plays. across 35 snaps. Their top snap (-5.17 EPA): (11:46) 15-T.Tebow pass short right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Allen at HOU 0. Touchback..

Was Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Denver Broncos won 24-23 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Houston Texans

Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 3-11 Now 4-11 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

More 2010 game recaps

Week 16 · Dec 28, 2010

Minnesota Vikings vs Philadelphia Eagles

Read full recap →

Week 16 · Dec 27, 2010

New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons

Read full recap →

Week 16 · Dec 26, 2010

Washington Commanders vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Read full recap →

Week 16 · Dec 26, 2010

Tennessee Titans vs Kansas City Chiefs

Read full recap →

Week 16 · Dec 26, 2010

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams

Read full recap →

Week 16 · Dec 26, 2010

Seattle Seahawks vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Read full recap →