Quick answer
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- Final score
- New England Patriots 27–20 Houston Texans
- Halftime
- Houston Texans 6–21 New England Patriots at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- R. Gronkowski
- Top passer
- Desmond Watson
- Biggest EPA play
- (13:04) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson FUMBLES (Aborted) at HOU 20, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower a…
- Game date
- 2018-09-09
Game summary
The New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans 27–20 on 2018-09-09. R. Gronkowski posted a game-high +6.61 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Houston Texans | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
 New England Patriots | 7 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
HOUHouston Texans(11:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 76th career Brady-Gronkowski TD connection, 5th all-time (2nd all-time QB-TE).
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
(2:37) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(12:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 28-J.White for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
(9:03) 7-K.Fairbairn 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(:19) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 13-P.Dorsett for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3-S.Gostkowski kicks 64 yards from NE 35 to HOU 1. 21-T.Ervin to HOU 28 for 27 yards (30-J.McCourty; 52-E.Roberts).
(6:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
(1:54) 28-A.Blue right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(9:53) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
(2:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 12-B.Ellington for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
NENew England PatriotsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- NENew England Patriots
Q1 11:58TD RGR. GronkowskiPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 21
- Score
- 0-6
(11:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 76th career Brady-Gronkowski TD connection, 5th all-time (2nd all-time QB-TE).
- NENew England Patriots
Q1 11:50XP SGS. GostkowskiPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 0-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q1 2:37FG Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+3
- Yard line
- NE 24
- Score
- 3-7
(2:37) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 12:45TD Points+6
- Yard line
- HOU 12
- Score
- 3-13
(12:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 28-J.White for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 12:38XP SGS. GostkowskiPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 3-14
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 9:03FG Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+3
- Yard line
- NE 19
- Score
- 6-14
(9:03) 7-K.Fairbairn 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 0:19TD Phillip Dorsett IIPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 4
- Score
- 6-20
(:19) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 13-P.Dorsett for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 0:14XP SGS. GostkowskiPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 6-21
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
- NENew England Patriots
Q3 15:00TD SGS. GostkowskiPoints+7
- Yard line
- NE 35
- Score
- 6-21
3-S.Gostkowski kicks 64 yards from NE 35 to HOU 1. 21-T.Ervin to HOU 28 for 27 yards (30-J.McCourty; 52-E.Roberts).
- NENew England Patriots
Q3 6:05FG SGS. GostkowskiPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 20
- Score
- 6-24
(6:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 1:54TD ABA. BluePoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 1
- Score
- 12-24
(1:54) 28-A.Blue right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 1:52XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 15
- Score
- 13-24
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NENew England Patriots
Q4 9:53FG SGS. GostkowskiPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 17
- Score
- 13-27
(9:53) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 2:12TD BEB. EllingtonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 5
- Score
- 19-27
(2:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 12-B.Ellington for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 2:08XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 15
- Score
- 20-27
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.61 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 2Phillip Dorsett II · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.23 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
- 3T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +5.34 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
- 4A. Blue · Houston Texans · Rushing · +2.38 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 5B. Ellington · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 6
Dustin Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.00 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play - 7
Juanyeh Thomas · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.66 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play - 8T. Brady · New England Patriots · Rushing · +0.79 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.40 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
R. Gronkowski — NE · Receiving
R. Gronkowski posted the highest total EPA (+6.61) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New England Patriots. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.83 EPA per play.
R. Gronkowski's top snap (+3.59 EPA): (11:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 76th career Brady-Gronkowski TD connection, 5th all-time (2nd all-time QB-TE).
Biggest single play (-5.50 EPA): Desmond Watson — (13:04) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson FUMBLES (Aborted) at HOU 20, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at HOU 19. 54-D.Hightower to HOU 19 for no gain (76-S.Henderson).
Quarterback report card
Desmond Watson led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Desmond Watson (Houston Texans) · 45 dropbacks · 37.8% completion · -9.7% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.97 total EPA- T. Brady (New England Patriots) · 43 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +2.0% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +5.34 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Houston Texans | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.075 | -0.010 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.2% | 37.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.088 | +0.124 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.248 | -0.150 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.010 | +0.075 |
| Defensive success rate | 62.8% | 54.8% |
Drive & efficiency notes
New England Patriots 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 (33rd percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- New England Patriots: -0.01 EPA/play (47th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Houston Texans: 15 drives, -7.02 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 13 drives, -0.98 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — Jordan White (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — Phillip Dorsett II (T. Brady pass)
- Houston Texans — A. Blue
- Houston Texans — B. Ellington (Desmond Watson pass)
Field goals
- Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn
- Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn
- New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski
- New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 21 (Q1 11:58); New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 11:50) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NE 24 (Q1 2:37) — (2:37) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 12 (Q2 12:45) — (12:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 28-J.White for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 12:38) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the NE 19 (Q2 9:03) — (9:03) 7-K.Fairbairn 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the HOU 4 (Q2 0:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 13-P.Dorsett for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 0:14) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..
The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 35 (Q3 15:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 64 yards from NE 35 to HOU 1. 21-T.Ervin to HOU 28 for 27 yards (30-J.McCourty; 52-E.Roberts).; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the HOU 20 (Q3 6:05) — (6:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 1:54) — (1:54) 28-A.Blue right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 1:52) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..
The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the HOU 17 (Q4 9:53) — (9:53) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q4 2:12) — (2:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 12-B.Ellington for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 2:08) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Houston Texans (Q1 13:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson FUMBLES (Aborted) at HOU 20, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at HOU 19. 54-D.Hightower to HOU 19 for no gain (76-S.Henderson).
- Houston Texans (Q2 5:39) — (5:39) (No Huddle) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle intended for 17-V.Smith INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Gilmore [93-L.Guy] at NE -9. Touchback.
- New England Patriots (Q1 11:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 76th career Brady-Gronkowski TD connection, 5th all-time (2nd all-time QB-TE).
- New England Patriots (Q1 4:12) — (4:12) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle intended for 28-J.White INTERCEPTED by 32-T.Mathieu (97-A.Blackson) at NE 17. 32-T.Mathieu to NE 17 for no gain.
- New England Patriots (Q2 14:37) — (14:37) 12-T.Brady up the middle to HOU 23 for 2 yards (92-B.Dunn).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Houston Texans (Q1 13:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson FUMBLES (Aborted) at HOU 20, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at HOU 19. 54-D.Hightower to HOU 19 for no gain (76-S.Henderson).
- Houston Texans (Q4 4:41) — (4:41) 8-T.Daniel punts 47 yards to NE 17, Center-46-J.Weeks. 17-R.McCarron MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by HOU-23-J.Bademosi at NE 16. 23-J.Bademosi to NE 16 for no gain (31-J.Jones).
- New England Patriots (Q1 4:12) — (4:12) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle intended for 28-J.White INTERCEPTED by 32-T.Mathieu (97-A.Blackson) at NE 17. 32-T.Mathieu to NE 17 for no gain.
- Houston Texans (Q2 5:39) — (5:39) (No Huddle) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle intended for 17-V.Smith INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Gilmore [93-L.Guy] at NE -9. Touchback.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 11:58 · HOU 21 · Score 0-6
(11:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 76th career Brady-Gronkowski TD connection, 5th all-time (2nd all-time QB-TE). - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 11:50 · HOU 15 · Score 0-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 2:37 · NE 24 · Score 3-7
(2:37) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 12:45 · HOU 12 · Score 3-13
(12:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 28-J.White for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 12:38 · HOU 15 · Score 3-14
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 9:03 · NE 19 · Score 6-14
(9:03) 7-K.Fairbairn 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 0:19 · HOU 4 · Score 6-20
(:19) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 13-P.Dorsett for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 0:14 · HOU 15 · Score 6-21
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - New England Patriots TD (+7) — Q3 15:00 · NE 35 · Score 6-21
3-S.Gostkowski kicks 64 yards from NE 35 to HOU 1. 21-T.Ervin to HOU 28 for 27 yards (30-J.McCourty; 52-E.Roberts). - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 6:05 · HOU 20 · Score 6-24
(6:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 1:54 · NE 1 · Score 12-24
(1:54) 28-A.Blue right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 1:52 · NE 15 · Score 13-24
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 9:53 · HOU 17 · Score 13-27
(9:53) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 2:12 · NE 5 · Score 19-27
(2:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 12-B.Ellington for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 2:08 · NE 15 · Score 20-27
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- New England Patriots earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- R. Gronkowski (New England Patriots) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Desmond Watson (HOU) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs New England Patriots on 2018-09-09?
The New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans 27-20 in Week 1, 2018.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs New England Patriots?
Q1: Houston Texans 3, New England Patriots 7; Q2: Houston Texans 3, New England Patriots 14; Q3: Houston Texans 7, New England Patriots 10; Q4: Houston Texans 7, New England Patriots 3; Final: Houston Texans 20, New England Patriots 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs New England Patriots?
New England Patriots touchdown — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q1 11:58) New England Patriots touchdown — J. White (T. Brady pass) (Q2 12:45) New England Patriots touchdown — P. Dorsett (T. Brady pass) (Q2 0:19) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Blue (Q3 1:54) Houston Texans touchdown — B. Ellington (D. Watson pass) (Q4 2:12) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q1 2:37, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 9:03, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q3 6:05, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q4 9:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs New England Patriots?
Desmond Watson (Houston Texans), 37.8% completion, -9.7% CPOE, -0.09 EPA per dropback, -3.97 total passing EPA. T. Brady (New England Patriots), 60.5% completion, +2.0% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +5.34 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs New England Patriots?
R. Gronkowski (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.61 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.59 EPA): (11:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 76th career Brady-Gronkowski TD connection, 5th all-time (2nd all-time QB-TE)..
Was Houston Texans vs New England Patriots a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. New England Patriots won 27-20 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Now 0-1 L
New England Patriots
Now 1-0 W
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