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NFL · Week 1 · September 13, 2015 · 12 min read

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans: 2015 Week 1 Recap

Chiefs defeat Texans 27–20 in Week 1

Travis Kelce led Fantasy Impact as Chiefs prevailed in a 27–20 Week 1 finish.

Kansas City Chiefs 27 1–0 Winner
Final 27–20
Houston Texans 20 0–1
Winner
Kansas City Chiefs
Final score
27–20
Halftime
Kansas City Chiefs 27–9 Houston Texans
Top passer
Arian Smith
FantasyHQ MVP
Travis Kelce
Game date
September 13, 2015

Top fantasy performers · Chiefs

  • Travis Kelce
    Travis Kelce 6 REC · 106 YDS · 2 TD +11.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Arian Smith
    Arian Smith 22/39 · 240 YDS · 3 TD +5.1 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Charles 5 REC · 46 YDS · 1 TD +2.3 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • R.Mallett 8/17 · 99 YDS · 1 TD +7.2 Fantasy Impact
  • Dustin Hopkins
    Dustin Hopkins 9 REC · 98 YDS · 2 TD +3.7 Fantasy Impact
  • N.Washington 6 REC · 105 YDS +3.1 Fantasy Impact
View Chiefs vs Texans box score View all 2015 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Kansas City Chiefs
Final score
Kansas City Chiefs 27–20 Houston Texans
Halftime
Kansas City Chiefs 27–9 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Travis Kelce
Top passer
Arian Smith
Biggest EPA play
(11:14) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right intended for 10-D.Hopkins INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at…
Game date
2015-09-13

Game summary

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 27–20 on 2015-09-13. Travis Kelce posted a game-high +11.52 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 30 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q4——T
Kansas City Chiefs141300027
Houston Texans63300020

Scoring Map

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

KCKansas City Chiefs
HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q1 10:27TD
    Travis Kelce

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 10
    Score
    6-0

    (10:27) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 87-T.Kelce for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q1 10:22XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    7-0

    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.

  3. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q1 4:39TD
    Travis Kelce

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 42
    Score
    13-0

    (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q1 4:28XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    14-0

    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.

  5. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 0:51TD
    Dustin Hopkins

    Points+6

    Yard line
    KC 4
    Score
    14-6

    (:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q2 10:29FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 9
    Score
    17-6

    (10:29) 5-C.Santos 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.

  7. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q2 6:25FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 30
    Score
    20-6

    (6:25) 5-C.Santos 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.

  8. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q2 5:01TD
    JCJ. Charles

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 7
    Score
    26-6

    (5:01) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 25-J.Charles for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. KCKansas City Chiefs
    Q2 4:55XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    27-6

    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.

  10. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 0:13FG
    Randy Bullock

    Points+3

    Yard line
    KC 16
    Score
    27-9

    (:13) 4-R.Bullock 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.

  11. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 4:16TD
    Dustin Hopkins

    Points+6

    Yard line
    KC 8
    Score
    27-15

    (4:16) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 4:07Safety
    RMR. Mallett

    Points+2

    Yard line
    KC 2
    Score
    27-17

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 15-R.Mallett pass to 10-D.Hopkins is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  13. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 1:54TD
    CSC. Shorts

    Points+8

    Yard line
    KC 66
    Score
    27-17

    (1:54) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 18-C.Shorts pushed ob at KC 46 for 20 yards (22-M.Peters).

  14. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 1:28FG
    Randy Bullock

    Points+3

    Yard line
    KC 29
    Score
    27-20

    (1:28) 4-R.Bullock 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.

  15. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 1:22TD
    Arian Smith

    Points+11

    Yard line
    HOU 50
    Score
    27-20

    (1:22) 11-A.Smith kneels to KC 49 for -1 yards.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Travis KelceTravis Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +11.52 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.92 EPA/play
  2. 2R. Mallett · Houston Texans · Passing · +7.22 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
  3. 3Arian SmithArian Smith · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +5.10 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
  4. 4Dustin HopkinsDustin Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
  5. 5N. Washington · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  6. 6J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.31 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
  7. 7C. Fiedorowicz · Houston Texans · Receiving · +0.93 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
  8. 8Drake ThomasDrake Thomas · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +0.75 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Travis Kelce

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Travis Kelce — KC · Receiving

Travis Kelce posted the highest total EPA (+11.52) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Kansas City Chiefs. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.92 EPA per play.

Travis Kelce's top snap (+3.97 EPA): (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-5.18 EPA): Brian Hoyer — (11:14) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right intended for 10-D.Hopkins INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at HOU 13. 22-M.Peters to HOU 13 for no gain (10-D.Hopkins).

Quarterback report card

Arian Smith led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Arian SmithArian Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +1.3% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +5.10 total EPA
  • Brian HoyerBrian Hoyer (Houston Texans) · 38 dropbacks · 47.4% completion · -10.8% CPOE · -0.32 EPA/play · -12.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatKansas City ChiefsHouston Texans
Offensive EPA/play-0.049-0.166
Offensive success rate44.9%38.3%
Pass EPA/play+0.131-0.091
Rush EPA/play-0.177-0.239
Defensive EPA/play+0.166+0.049
Defensive success rate61.7%55.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Kansas City Chiefs: -0.05 EPA/play (41st percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: -0.17 EPA/play (16th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: 14 drives, -15.58 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Kansas City Chiefs: 15 drives, -4.39 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Travis KelceKansas City Chiefs — Travis Kelce (Arian Smith pass) (Q1 10:27)
  • Travis KelceKansas City Chiefs — Travis Kelce (Arian Smith pass) (Q1 4:39)
  • Dustin HopkinsHouston Texans — Dustin Hopkins (Brian Hoyer pass) (Q1 0:51)
  • Kansas City Chiefs — J. Charles (Arian Smith pass) (Q2 5:01)
  • Dustin HopkinsHouston Texans — Dustin Hopkins (R. Mallett pass) (Q4 4:16)

Field goals

  • Cairo SantosKansas City Chiefs — Cairo Santos (Q2 10:29)
  • Cairo SantosKansas City Chiefs — Cairo Santos (Q2 6:25)
  • Randy BullockHouston Texans — Randy Bullock (Q2 0:13)
  • Randy BullockHouston Texans — Randy Bullock (Q4 1:28)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 14–6. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the HOU 10 (Q1 10:27) — (10:27) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 87-T.Kelce for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 10:22) — 5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the HOU 42 (Q1 4:39) — (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 4:28) — 5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q1 0:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 13–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the HOU 9 (Q2 10:29) — (10:29) 5-C.Santos 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the HOU 30 (Q2 6:25) — (6:25) 5-C.Santos 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q2 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 25-J.Charles for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 4:55) — 5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the KC 16 (Q2 0:13) — (:13) 4-R.Bullock 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 30–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the KC 8 (Q4 4:16) — (4:16) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans registered a safety from the KC 2 (Q4 4:07) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 15-R.Mallett pass to 10-D.Hopkins is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the KC 66 (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 18-C.Shorts pushed ob at KC 46 for 20 yards (22-M.Peters).; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the KC 29 (Q4 1:28) — (1:28) 4-R.Bullock 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the HOU 50 (Q4 1:22) — (1:22) 11-A.Smith kneels to KC 49 for -1 yards..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Houston Texans (Q1 11:14) — (11:14) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right intended for 10-D.Hopkins INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at HOU 13. 22-M.Peters to HOU 13 for no gain (10-D.Hopkins). [WPA -16.7% · EPA -5.18]
  • Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 4:39) — (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.97]
  • Houston Texans (Q1 0:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.4% · EPA +1.41]
  • Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 8:04) — (8:04) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 25-J.Charles to KC 31 for 17 yards (35-E.Pleasant). [WPA +6.5% · EPA +2.80]
  • Houston Texans (Q1 9:45) — (9:45) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass deep left to 85-N.Washington pushed ob at HOU 42 for 19 yards (91-T.Hali). [WPA +4.6% · EPA +1.75]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Houston Texans (Q1 11:14) — (11:14) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right intended for 10-D.Hopkins INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at HOU 13. 22-M.Peters to HOU 13 for no gain (10-D.Hopkins). [WPA -16.7% · EPA -5.18]
  • Houston Texans (Q2 5:09) — (5:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer sacked at HOU 7 for -9 yards (50-J.Houston). FUMBLES (50-J.Houston) [50-J.Houston], RECOVERED by KC-97-A.Bailey at HOU 7. 97-A.Bailey to HOU 7 for no gain (72-D.Newton). [WPA -3.1% · EPA -4.50]
  • Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 4:39) — (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.97]
  • Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:16) — (6:16) 5-C.Santos 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. [WPA -0.3% · EPA -3.83]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 10:27 · HOU 10 · Score 6-0
    (10:27) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 87-T.Kelce for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 10:22 · HOU 15 · Score 7-0
    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
  3. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 4:39 · HOU 42 · Score 13-0
    (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 4:28 · HOU 15 · Score 14-0
    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
  5. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 0:51 · KC 4 · Score 14-6
    (:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Hoyer pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 10:29 · HOU 9 · Score 17-6
    (10:29) 5-C.Santos 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
  7. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 6:25 · HOU 30 · Score 20-6
    (6:25) 5-C.Santos 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
  8. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 5:01 · HOU 7 · Score 26-6
    (5:01) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 25-J.Charles for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 4:55 · HOU 15 · Score 27-6
    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
  10. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 0:13 · KC 16 · Score 27-9
    (:13) 4-R.Bullock 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
  11. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 4:16 · KC 8 · Score 27-15
    (4:16) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Houston Texans Safety (+2) — Q4 4:07 · KC 2 · Score 27-17
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 15-R.Mallett pass to 10-D.Hopkins is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
  13. Houston Texans TD (+8) — Q4 1:54 · KC 66 · Score 27-17
    (1:54) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short right to 18-C.Shorts pushed ob at KC 46 for 20 yards (22-M.Peters).
  14. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 1:28 · KC 29 · Score 27-20
    (1:28) 4-R.Bullock 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
  15. Houston Texans TD (+11) — Q4 1:22 · HOU 50 · Score 27-20
    (1:22) 11-A.Smith kneels to KC 49 for -1 yards.

Key takeaways

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

  • Kansas City Chiefs earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Brian Hoyer (HOU) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans on 2015-09-13?

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 27-20 in Week 1, 2015.

What was the score by quarter in Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Kansas City Chiefs 14, Houston Texans 6; Q2: Kansas City Chiefs 13, Houston Texans 3; Q4: Kansas City Chiefs 0, Houston Texans 30; Final: Kansas City Chiefs 27, Houston Texans 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans?

Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — T. Kelce (A. Smith pass) (Q1 10:27) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — T. Kelce (A. Smith pass) (Q1 4:39) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (B. Hoyer pass) (Q1 0:51) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — J. Charles (A. Smith pass) (Q2 5:01) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (R. Mallett pass) (Q4 4:16) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — C. Santos (Q2 10:29, 3 pts) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — C. Santos (Q2 6:25, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — R. Bullock (Q2 0:13, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — R. Bullock (Q4 1:28, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans?

Arian Smith (Kansas City Chiefs), 56.4% completion, +1.3% CPOE, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +5.10 total passing EPA. Brian Hoyer (Houston Texans), 47.4% completion, -10.8% CPOE, -0.32 EPA per dropback, -12.23 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans?

Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.52 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+3.97 EPA): (4:39) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 87-T.Kelce for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Kansas City Chiefs won 27-20 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Kansas City Chiefs

Now 1-0 W

Houston Texans

Now 0-1 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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