Quick answer
- Winner
- Houston Texans
- Final score
- Houston Texans 31–25 Denver Broncos
- Halftime
- Houston Texans 21–11 Denver Broncos at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- M. Schaub
- Top passer
- Paul Manning
- Biggest EPA play
- (6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Game date
- 2012-09-23
Game summary
The Houston Texans beat the Denver Broncos 31–25 on 2012-09-23. M. Schaub posted a game-high +20.03 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Houston Texans | 7 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
 Denver Broncos | 5 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 25 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
HOUHouston Texans(13:26) Direction Change. 8-M.Schaub sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (92-E.Dumervil).
(8:45) 5-M.Prater 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(10:53) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(9:03) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(5:48) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(:06) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(9:16) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(1:39) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 81-O.Daniels for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(9:56) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 14-B.Stokley for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
(3:05) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 81-J.Dreessen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
DENDenver BroncosFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q1 13:26Safety MSM. SchaubPoints+2
- Yard line
- DEN 94
- Score
- 0-2
(13:26) Direction Change. 8-M.Schaub sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (92-E.Dumervil).
- DENDenver Broncos
Q1 8:45FG Points+3
- Yard line
- HOU 14
- Score
- 0-5
(8:45) 5-M.Prater 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q1 6:38TD Austin JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 60
- Score
- 6-5
(6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q1 6:28XP SGS. GrahamPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 7-5
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 10:53TD AFA. FosterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 3
- Score
- 13-5
(10:53) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 10:47XP SGS. GrahamPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 14-5
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 9:03TD KWK. WalterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 52
- Score
- 20-5
(9:03) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 8:54XP SGS. GrahamPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 21-5
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q2 5:48FG Points+3
- Yard line
- HOU 5
- Score
- 21-8
(5:48) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q2 0:06FG Points+3
- Yard line
- HOU 35
- Score
- 21-11
(:06) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 9:16FG SGS. GrahamPoints+3
- Yard line
- DEN 23
- Score
- 24-11
(9:16) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 1:39TD ODO. DanielsPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 14
- Score
- 30-11
(1:39) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 81-O.Daniels for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 1:33XP SGS. GrahamPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 31-11
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 9:56TD BSB. StokleyPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 38
- Score
- 31-17
(9:56) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 14-B.Stokley for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 9:49XP Points+1
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 31-18
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 3:05TD JDJ. DreessenPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 6
- Score
- 31-24
(3:05) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 81-J.Dreessen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 3:00XP Points+1
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 31-25
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1M. Schaub · Houston Texans · Passing · +20.03 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 2E. Decker · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.20 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 3B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.19 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
- 4Paul Manning · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.16 total EPA · 59 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 5Austin Johnson · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
- 6L. Jean · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.63 EPA/play
- 7J. Dreessen · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 8K. Walter · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.44 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
M. Schaub — HOU · Passing
M. Schaub posted the highest total EPA (+20.03) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Houston Texans. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.61 EPA per play.
M. Schaub's top snap (+5.83 EPA): (6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
Paul Manning led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Paul Manning (Denver Broncos) · 59 dropbacks · 44.1% completion · -10.5% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +6.16 total EPA
- M. Schaub (Houston Texans) · 33 dropbacks · 51.5% completion · +3.3% CPOE · +0.61 EPA/play · +20.03 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.173 | +0.053 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.0% | 37.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.607 | +0.104 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.150 | -0.286 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.053 | -0.173 |
| Defensive success rate | 62.1% | 58.0% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Houston Texans generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs +0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Houston Texans: +0.17 EPA/play (85th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
- Denver Broncos: +0.05 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
- Denver Broncos: 15 drives, +5.42 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Houston Texans: 14 drives, +15.24 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Houston Texans — Austin Johnson (M. Schaub pass)
- Houston Texans — A. Foster (M. Schaub pass)
- Houston Texans — K. Walter (M. Schaub pass)
- Houston Texans — O. Daniels (M. Schaub pass)
- Denver Broncos — B. Stokley (Paul Manning pass)
- Denver Broncos — J. Dreessen (Paul Manning pass)
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — Matt Prater
- Denver Broncos — Matt Prater
- Denver Broncos — Matt Prater
- Houston Texans — S. Graham
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–5. Denver Broncos registered a safety from the DEN 94 (Q1 13:26) — (13:26) Direction Change. 8-M.Schaub sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (92-E.Dumervil).; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the HOU 14 (Q1 8:45) — (8:45) 5-M.Prater 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DEN 60 (Q1 6:38) — (6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 6:28) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 14–6. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q2 10:53) — (10:53) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 10:47) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DEN 52 (Q2 9:03) — (9:03) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 8:54) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the HOU 5 (Q2 5:48) — (5:48) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the HOU 35 (Q2 0:06) — (:06) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DEN 23 (Q3 9:16) — (9:16) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the DEN 14 (Q3 1:39) — (1:39) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 81-O.Daniels for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 1:33) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the HOU 38 (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 14-B.Stokley for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 9:49) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the HOU 6 (Q4 3:05) — (3:05) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 81-J.Dreessen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q4 3:00) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Houston Texans (Q1 6:38) — (6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q1 13:26) — (13:26) Direction Change. 8-M.Schaub sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (92-E.Dumervil).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 3:05) — (3:05) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 81-J.Dreessen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q2 9:03) — (9:03) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q2 0:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub pass short left intended for 83-K.Walter INTERCEPTED by 52-W.Woodyard [92-E.Dumervil] at DEN 33. 52-W.Woodyard ran ob at DEN 40 for 7 yards.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Houston Texans (Q1 6:38) — (6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q4 10:28) — (10:28) 44-B.Tate right guard to 50 for -2 yards (99-K.Vickerson). FUMBLES (99-K.Vickerson), RECOVERED by DEN-97-J.Bannan at 50. 97-J.Bannan to 50 for no gain (62-A.Caldwell).
- Houston Texans (Q2 9:03) — (9:03) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 14-B.Stokley for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Denver Broncos Safety (+2) — Q1 13:26 · DEN 94 · Score 0-2
(13:26) Direction Change. 8-M.Schaub sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (92-E.Dumervil). - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 8:45 · HOU 14 · Score 0-5
(8:45) 5-M.Prater 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 6:38 · DEN 60 · Score 6-5
(6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 6:28 · DEN 2 · Score 7-5
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 10:53 · DEN 3 · Score 13-5
(10:53) 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 10:47 · DEN 2 · Score 14-5
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 9:03 · DEN 52 · Score 20-5
(9:03) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 8:54 · DEN 2 · Score 21-5
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 5:48 · HOU 5 · Score 21-8
(5:48) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 0:06 · HOU 35 · Score 21-11
(:06) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 9:16 · DEN 23 · Score 24-11
(9:16) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 1:39 · DEN 14 · Score 30-11
(1:39) 8-M.Schaub pass short left to 81-O.Daniels for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 1:33 · DEN 2 · Score 31-11
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 9:56 · HOU 38 · Score 31-17
(9:56) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 14-B.Stokley for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 9:49 · HOU 2 · Score 31-18
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 3:05 · HOU 6 · Score 31-24
(3:05) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 81-J.Dreessen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 3:00 · HOU 2 · Score 31-25
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
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.
- M. Schaub (Houston Texans) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Paul Manning (DEN) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos on 2012-09-23?
The Houston Texans beat the Denver Broncos 31-25 in Week 3, 2012.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Houston Texans 7, Denver Broncos 5; Q2: Houston Texans 14, Denver Broncos 6; Q3: Houston Texans 10, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Houston Texans 0, Denver Broncos 14; Final: Houston Texans 31, Denver Broncos 25.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?
Houston Texans touchdown — A. Johnson (M. Schaub pass) (Q1 6:38) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Foster (M. Schaub pass) (Q2 10:53) Houston Texans touchdown — K. Walter (M. Schaub pass) (Q2 9:03) Houston Texans touchdown — O. Daniels (M. Schaub pass) (Q3 1:39) Denver Broncos touchdown — B. Stokley (P. Manning pass) (Q4 9:56) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Dreessen (P. Manning pass) (Q4 3:05) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q1 8:45, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 5:48, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 0:06, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — S. Graham (Q3 9:16, 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?
Paul Manning (Denver Broncos), 44.1% completion, -10.5% CPOE, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +6.16 total passing EPA. M. Schaub (Houston Texans), 51.5% completion, +3.3% CPOE, +0.61 EPA per dropback, +20.03 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos?
M. Schaub (Houston Texans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +20.03 total EPA on Passing plays. across 33 snaps. Their top snap (+5.83 EPA): (6:38) 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Houston Texans won 31-25 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W
Denver Broncos
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
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