Vikings 23–6 Texans: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2012

Quick answer

Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Final score: Minnesota Vikings 23–6 Houston Texans
Halftime: Minnesota Vikings 13–3 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: C. Ponder
Top passer: M. Schaub
Biggest EPA play: (9:44) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN 42 for -6 yards (99-J.Watt). FUMBLES (99-J.Watt) [99-J.Wat…
Game date: 2012-12-23

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Houston Texans 23–6 on 2012-12-23. C. Ponder posted a game-high +7.43 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Minnesota Vikings	7	6	3	7	0	23
Houston Texans	3	0	3	0	0	6

Scoring Map

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

MINMinnesota Vikings

+3MIN 33

+3HOU 38

+3HOU 23

+3HOU 21

+3MIN 15

HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

HOUHouston Texans
Q1 10:55FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 33
Score
0-3
(10:55) 17-S.Graham 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 6:24TD
KRK. Rudolph
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 3
Score
6-3
(6:24) 7-C.Ponder pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 6:19XP
BWB. Walsh
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 2
Score
7-3
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 8:20FG
BWB. Walsh
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 38
Score
10-3
(8:20) 3-B.Walsh 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 0:41FG
BWB. Walsh
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 23
Score
13-3
(:41) 3-B.Walsh 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 11:35FG
BWB. Walsh
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 21
Score
16-3
(11:35) 3-B.Walsh 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
HOUHouston Texans
Q3 0:30FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 15
Score
16-6
(:30) 17-S.Graham 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 4:49TD
TGT. Gerhart
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 3
Score
22-6
(4:49) 32-T.Gerhart up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 4:44XP
BWB. Walsh
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 2
Score
23-6
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1C. Ponder · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +7.43 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
2M. Jenkins · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.53 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
3Jacardia Wright · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.02 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
4K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
5John Simpson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6Austin Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.33 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
7T. Gerhart · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.10 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
8Jacardia Wright · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +0.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.99 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. Ponder — MIN · Passing

C. Ponder posted the highest total EPA (+7.43) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.21 EPA per play.

C. Ponder's top snap (-5.43 EPA): (9:44) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN 42 for -6 yards (99-J.Watt). FUMBLES (99-J.Watt) [99-J.Watt], RECOVERED by HOU-53-B.James at MIN 45. 53-B.James to MIN 45 for no gain (71-P.Loadholt).

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) · 38 dropbacks · 47.4% completion · -9.5% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.03 total EPA
C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) · 35 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · -6.3% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.43 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Minnesota Vikings	Houston Texans
Offensive EPA/play	+0.052	-0.219
Offensive success rate	38.9%	32.4%
Pass EPA/play	+0.212	-0.158
Rush EPA/play	-0.066	-0.609
Defensive EPA/play	+0.219	-0.052
Defensive success rate	67.6%	61.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.22), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Minnesota Vikings: +0.05 EPA/play (58th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
Houston Texans: -0.22 EPA/play (7th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)

Houston Texans: 12 drives, -16.18 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +4.71 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (C. Ponder pass) (Q1 6:24)
Minnesota Vikings — T. Gerhart (Q4 4:49)

Field goals

Houston Texans — S. Graham (Q1 10:55)
Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q2 8:20)
Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q2 0:41)
Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q3 11:35)
Houston Texans — S. Graham (Q3 0:30)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIN 33 (Q1 10:55) — (10:55) 17-S.Graham 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q1 6:24) — (6:24) 7-C.Ponder pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q1 6:19) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the HOU 38 (Q2 8:20) — (8:20) 3-B.Walsh 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the HOU 23 (Q2 0:41) — (:41) 3-B.Walsh 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the HOU 21 (Q3 11:35) — (11:35) 3-B.Walsh 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the MIN 15 (Q3 0:30) — (:30) 17-S.Graham 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q4 4:49) — (4:49) 32-T.Gerhart up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 4:44) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Houston Texans (Q2 13:46) — (13:46) 23-A.Foster right guard to MIN 23 for 5 yards (54-J.Brinkley). FUMBLES (54-J.Brinkley), RECOVERED by MIN-24-A.Jefferson at MIN 23. 24-A.Jefferson to MIN 21 for -2 yards (88-G.Graham). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -4.32]
Houston Texans (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 81-O.Daniels to MIN 31 for 14 yards (24-A.Jefferson). [WPA +11.5% · EPA +2.14]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 9:30) — (9:30) 7-C.Ponder pass short right to 82-K.Rudolph pushed ob at HOU 38 for 27 yards (29-G.Quin). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +2.82]
Houston Texans (Q1 12:13) — (12:13) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete short middle to 81-O.Daniels. PENALTY on MIN-24-A.Jefferson, Defensive Pass Interference, 12 yards, enforced at MIN 45 - No Play. [WPA +11.0% · EPA +2.44]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 8:21) — (8:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass deep right to 84-M.Jenkins pushed ob at HOU 2 for 32 yards (26-B.Harris). [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.82]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Minnesota Vikings (Q3 9:44) — (9:44) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN 42 for -6 yards (99-J.Watt). FUMBLES (99-J.Watt) [99-J.Watt], RECOVERED by HOU-53-B.James at MIN 45. 53-B.James to MIN 45 for no gain (71-P.Loadholt). [WPA -8.9% · EPA -5.43]
Houston Texans (Q2 13:46) — (13:46) 23-A.Foster right guard to MIN 23 for 5 yards (54-J.Brinkley). FUMBLES (54-J.Brinkley), RECOVERED by MIN-24-A.Jefferson at MIN 23. 24-A.Jefferson to MIN 21 for -2 yards (88-G.Graham). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -4.32]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 8:21) — (8:21) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass deep right to 84-M.Jenkins pushed ob at HOU 2 for 32 yards (26-B.Harris). [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.82]
Minnesota Vikings (Q3 13:29) — (13:29) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short middle to 17-J.Wright to HOU 37 for 15 yards (38-D.Manning). PENALTY on HOU-59-W.Mercilus, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at HOU 37. [WPA +5.4% · EPA +3.71]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 10:55 · MIN 33 · Score 0-3
(10:55) 17-S.Graham 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 6:24 · HOU 3 · Score 6-3
(6:24) 7-C.Ponder pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 6:19 · HOU 2 · Score 7-3
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 8:20 · HOU 38 · Score 10-3
(8:20) 3-B.Walsh 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 0:41 · HOU 23 · Score 13-3
(:41) 3-B.Walsh 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 11:35 · HOU 21 · Score 16-3
(11:35) 3-B.Walsh 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 0:30 · MIN 15 · Score 16-6
(:30) 17-S.Graham 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 4:49 · HOU 3 · Score 22-6
(4:49) 32-T.Gerhart up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 4:44 · HOU 2 · Score 23-6
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

Key takeaways

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

Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
M. Schaub (HOU) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
C. Ponder (MIN) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans on 2012-12-23?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Houston Texans 23-6 in Week 16, 2012.

What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 7, Houston Texans 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 6, Houston Texans 0; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 3, Houston Texans 3; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 7, Houston Texans 0; Final: Minnesota Vikings 23, Houston Texans 6.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Rudolph (C. Ponder pass) (Q1 6:24) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — T. Gerhart (Q4 4:49) Houston Texans field goal — S. Graham (Q1 10:55, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q2 8:20, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q2 0:41, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q3 11:35, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — S. Graham (Q3 0:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans?

M. Schaub (Houston Texans), 47.4% completion, -9.5% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -2.03 total passing EPA. C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings), 45.7% completion, -6.3% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +7.43 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans?

C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.43 total EPA on Passing plays. across 35 snaps. Their top snap (-5.43 EPA): (9:44) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN 42 for -6 yards (99-J.Watt). FUMBLES (99-J.Watt) [99-J.Watt], RECOVERED by HOU-53-B.James at MIN 45. 53-B.James to MIN 45 for no gain (71-P.Loadholt.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 8-6 Now 9-6 W

Houston Texans

Entered 12-2 Now 12-3 L

Minnesota Vikings vs. Houston Texans: 2012 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Top fantasy performers · Texans

Quick answer

Game summary