Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 30–28 Houston Texans
- Halftime
- Houston Texans 14–3 New Orleans Saints at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Brees
- Top passer
- D. Brees
- Biggest EPA play
- (3:04) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 28-L.Murray INTERCEPTED by 59-W.Mercilus at…
- Game date
- 2019-09-09
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Houston Texans 30–28 on 2019-09-09, overcoming Houston Texans's 14–3 halftime lead. D. Brees posted a game-high +12.55 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Houston Texans | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
 New Orleans Saints | 3 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
HOUHouston Texans
(14:19) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(9:27) 3-W.Lutz 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(1:51) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(12:57) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray left guard for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(8:24) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 7-T.Hill for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. PENALTY on HOU-97-A.Blackson, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
(15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, YAC 0
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(:55) 3-W.Lutz 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-K.Stills for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-V.Bell]. Pass 32, YAC 5
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
(:02) 3-W.Lutz 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans SaintsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 14:19TD Desmond WatsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 21
- Score
- 6-0
(14:19) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 14:13XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 7-0
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:27FG Wil LutzPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 14
- Score
- 7-3
(9:27) 3-W.Lutz 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 1:51TD Dustin HopkinsPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 13-3
(1:51) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 1:47XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 14-3
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 12:57TD Points+6
- Yard line
- HOU 30
- Score
- 14-9
(12:57) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray left guard for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 12:51XP Wil LutzPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 14-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 8:24TD Dustin HopkinsPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 16
- Score
- 20-10
(8:24) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q3 8:20XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 21-10
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 2:43TD Trysten HillPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 9
- Score
- 21-16
(2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 7-T.Hill for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 2:39XP Wil LutzPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 21-17
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. PENALTY on HOU-97-A.Blackson, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 15:00TD Tyron SmithPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 14
- Score
- 21-23
(15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, YAC 0
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 14:55XP Wil LutzPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 21-24
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 0:55FG Wil LutzPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 29
- Score
- 21-27
(:55) 3-W.Lutz 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 0:43TD KSK. StillsPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 37
- Score
- 27-27
(:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-K.Stills for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-V.Bell]. Pass 32, YAC 5
- HOUHouston Texans
Q4 0:37XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 7
- Score
- 28-27
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 0:02FG Wil LutzPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 40
- Score
- 28-30
(:02) 3-W.Lutz 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.55 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 2Desmond Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +12.04 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 3Dustin Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +8.40 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 4Michael Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.07 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 5T. Ginn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.59 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 6
Alvin Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.41 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play - 7Desmond Watson · Houston Texans · Rushing · +3.82 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.91 EPA/play
- 8W. Fuller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.20 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
D. Brees — NO · Passing
D. Brees posted the highest total EPA (+12.55) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.29 EPA per play.
D. Brees's top snap (-5.13 EPA): (3:04) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 28-L.Murray INTERCEPTED by 59-W.Mercilus at HOU 4. 59-W.Mercilus to HOU 6 for 2 yards (89-J.Hill).
Quarterback report card
D. Brees led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 43 dropbacks · 74.4% completion · +11.1% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +12.55 total EPA
- Desmond Watson (Houston Texans) · 41 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +12.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Houston Texans | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.152 | +0.175 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.9% | 54.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.294 | +0.292 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.172 | +0.117 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.175 | -0.152 |
| Defensive success rate | 45.7% | 57.1% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Houston Texans +0.15, New Orleans Saints +0.17) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Houston Texans: +0.15 EPA/play (87th percentile vs. 2019 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: +0.17 EPA/play (89th percentile vs. 2019 team-game averages)
- Houston Texans: 9 drives, +12.75 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +14.16 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Houston Texans — Desmond Watson
- Houston Texans — Dustin Hopkins (Desmond Watson pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Latavius Murray
- Houston Texans — Dustin Hopkins (Desmond Watson pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Trysten Hill (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Tyron Smith (D. Brees pass)
- Houston Texans — K. Stills (Desmond Watson pass)
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz
- New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz
- New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 14–3. Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 21 (Q2 14:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 14:13) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the HOU 14 (Q2 9:27) — (9:27) 3-W.Lutz 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 1:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 1:47) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 30 (Q3 12:57) — (12:57) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray left guard for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 12:51) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 16 (Q3 8:24) — (8:24) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 8:20) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 9 (Q3 2:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 7-T.Hill for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 2:39).
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the HOU 14 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 14:55) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the HOU 29 (Q4 0:55) — (:55) 3-W.Lutz 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the NO 37 (Q4 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-K.Stills for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-V.Bell]. Pass 32, YAC 5; Houston Texans added 1 points from the NO 7 (Q4 0:37) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the HOU 40 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 3-W.Lutz 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 3-W.Lutz 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-K.Stills for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-V.Bell]. Pass 32, YAC 5
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:50) — (:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 10-D.Hopkins pushed ob at NO 37 for 38 yards (23-M.Lattimore) [92-M.Davenport]. Pass 34, YAC 4
- Houston Texans (Q2 14:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q4 4:25) — (4:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at HOU 45 for -11 yards (91-T.Hendrickson).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 3:04) — (3:04) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 28-L.Murray INTERCEPTED by 59-W.Mercilus at HOU 4. 59-W.Mercilus to HOU 6 for 2 yards (89-J.Hill).
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-K.Stills for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-V.Bell]. Pass 32, YAC 5
- Houston Texans (Q2 14:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q1 2:55) — (2:55) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 15-W.Fuller to NO 40 for 54 yards (25-E.Apple). Pass 50, YAC 4
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 14:19 · NO 21 · Score 6-0
(14:19) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 14:13 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 9:27 · HOU 14 · Score 7-3
(9:27) 3-W.Lutz 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 1:51 · NO 2 · Score 13-3
(1:51) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0 - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 1:47 · NO 15 · Score 14-3
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 12:57 · HOU 30 · Score 14-9
(12:57) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray left guard for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 12:51 · HOU 15 · Score 14-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 8:24 · NO 16 · Score 20-10
(8:24) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 8:20 · NO 15 · Score 21-10
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 2:43 · HOU 9 · Score 21-16
(2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 7-T.Hill for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 2:39 · HOU 15 · Score 21-17
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. PENALTY on HOU-97-A.Blackson, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · HOU 14 · Score 21-23
(15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 14:55 · HOU 15 · Score 21-24
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:55 · HOU 29 · Score 21-27
(:55) 3-W.Lutz 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 0:43 · NO 37 · Score 27-27
(:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 12-K.Stills for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-V.Bell]. Pass 32, YAC 5 - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 0:37 · NO 7 · Score 28-27
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · HOU 40 · Score 28-30
(:02) 3-W.Lutz 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- New Orleans Saints earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- D. Brees (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints on 2019-09-09?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Houston Texans 30-28 in Week 1, 2019.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints?
Q2: Houston Texans 14, New Orleans Saints 3; Q3: Houston Texans 7, New Orleans Saints 14; Q4: Houston Texans 7, New Orleans Saints 13; Final: Houston Texans 28, New Orleans Saints 30.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints?
Houston Texans touchdown — D. Watson (Q2 14:19) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (D. Watson pass) (Q2 1:51) New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Murray (Q3 12:57) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (D. Watson pass) (Q3 8:24) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Hill (D. Brees pass) (Q3 2:43) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q4 15:00) Houston Texans touchdown — K. Stills (D. Watson pass) (Q4 0:43) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q2 9:27, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 0:55, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 0:02, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 74.4% completion, +11.1% CPOE, +0.29 EPA per dropback, +12.55 total passing EPA. Desmond Watson (Houston Texans), 48.8% completion, +2.6% CPOE, +0.29 EPA per dropback, +12.04 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.55 total EPA on Passing plays. across 43 snaps. Their top snap (-5.13 EPA): (3:04) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 28-L.Murray INTERCEPTED by 59-W.Mercilus at HOU 4. 59-W.Mercilus to HOU 6 for 2 yards (89-J.Hill)..
Was Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. New Orleans Saints won 30-28 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Now 0-1 L
New Orleans Saints
Now 1-0 W
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