Quick answer
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final score
- Pittsburgh Steelers 28–21 Houston Texans
- Halftime
- Houston Texans 21–17 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- B. Roethlisberger
- Top passer
- B. Roethlisberger
- Biggest EPA play
- (6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyw…
- Game date
- 2020-09-27
Game summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Houston Texans 28–21 on 2020-09-27, overcoming Houston Texans's 21–17 halftime lead. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +13.35 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Houston Texans | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
 Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 14 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 28 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
HOUHouston Texans
(8:59) 9-C.Boswell 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
(6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward].
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
(11:35) 31-Da.Johnson right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
(5:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 85-E.Ebron for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
(1:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
(:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
(9:57) 9-C.Boswell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
(6:30) (Shotgun) 30-J.Conner right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 19-J.Smith-Schuster is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
PITPittsburgh SteelersFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 8:59FG Chris BoswellPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 0-3
(8:59) 9-C.Boswell 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q1 6:07TD Points+6
- Yard line
- PIT 28
- Score
- 6-3
(6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward].
- HOUHouston Texans
Q1 6:01XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- PIT 15
- Score
- 7-3
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 11:35TD Points+6
- Yard line
- PIT 2
- Score
- 13-3
(11:35) 31-Da.Johnson right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 11:32XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- PIT 15
- Score
- 14-3
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 5:09TD EEE. EbronPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 10
- Score
- 14-9
(5:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 85-E.Ebron for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 5:05XP Chris BoswellPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 14-10
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 1:22TD JuJu Smith-SchusterPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 26
- Score
- 14-16
(1:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 1:14XP Chris BoswellPoints+1
- Yard line
- HOU 15
- Score
- 14-17
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 0:28TD WFW. FullerPoints+6
- Yard line
- PIT 14
- Score
- 20-17
(:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- HOUHouston Texans
Q2 0:24XP Ka'imi FairbairnPoints+1
- Yard line
- PIT 15
- Score
- 21-17
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 9:57FG Chris BoswellPoints+3
- Yard line
- HOU 8
- Score
- 21-20
(9:57) 9-C.Boswell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 6:30TD James ConnerPoints+6
- Yard line
- HOU 12
- Score
- 21-26
(6:30) (Shotgun) 30-J.Conner right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 6:24Safety BRB. RoethlisbergerPoints+2
- Yard line
- HOU 2
- Score
- 21-28
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 19-J.Smith-Schuster is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +13.35 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 2Randall Cobb · Houston Texans · Receiving · +9.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.38 EPA/play
- 3W. Fuller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
- 4
Desmond Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +7.09 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play - 5JuJu Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
- 6James Conner · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +5.73 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 7E. Ebron · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.53 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 8V. McDonald · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 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
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+13.35) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.31 EPA per play.
B. Roethlisberger's top snap (+3.89 EPA): (2:19) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool to HOU 3 for 24 yards (23-E.Murray). FUMBLES (23-E.Murray), ball out of bounds at HOU 3.
Biggest single play (+4.02 EPA): Desmond Watson — (6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward].
Quarterback report card
B. Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · +0.1% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +13.35 total EPA
- Desmond Watson (Houston Texans) · 33 dropbacks · 57.6% completion · +10.6% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.015 | +0.106 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.4% | 48.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.215 | +0.311 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.359 | +0.081 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.106 | -0.015 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.1% | 60.6% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Houston Texans: +0.01 EPA/play (47th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.11 EPA/play (70th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
- Houston Texans: 10 drives, +1.00 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +9.76 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Houston Texans — Randall Cobb (Desmond Watson pass)
- Houston Texans — unlisted player
- Pittsburgh Steelers — E. Ebron (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — JuJu Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Houston Texans — W. Fuller (Desmond Watson pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — James Conner
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 15 (Q1 8:59) — (8:59) 9-C.Boswell 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 28 (Q1 6:07) — (6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward].; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 6:01) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q2 11:35) — (11:35) 31-Da.Johnson right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 11:32) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 10 (Q2 5:09) — (5:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 85-E.Ebron for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 5:05) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 26 (Q2 1:22) — (1:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 1:14) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q2 0:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 0:24) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the HOU 8 (Q3 9:57) — (9:57) 9-C.Boswell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 8–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the HOU 12 (Q4 6:30) — (6:30) (Shotgun) 30-J.Conner right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 6:24) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 19-J.Smith-Schuster is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 10:57) — (10:57) 65-J.Hawkins reported in as eligible. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 11-C.Claypool. PENALTY on HOU-21-B.Roby, Defensive Pass Interference, 29 yards, enforced at HOU 39 - No
- Houston Texans (Q4 14:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 18-R.Cobb to PIT 38 for 34 yards (28-M.Hilton) [91-S.Tuitt].
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 5:09) — (5:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 85-E.Ebron for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q1 6:07) — (6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward].
- Houston Texans (Q2 0:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Houston Texans (Q1 6:07) — (6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward].
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:19) — (2:19) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool to HOU 3 for 24 yards (23-E.Murray). FUMBLES (23-E.Murray), ball out of bounds at HOU 3.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 10:57) — (10:57) 65-J.Hawkins reported in as eligible. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 11-C.Claypool. PENALTY on HOU-21-B.Roby, Defensive Pass Interference, 29 yards, enforced at HOU 39 - No
- Houston Texans (Q4 14:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 18-R.Cobb to PIT 38 for 34 yards (28-M.Hilton) [91-S.Tuitt].
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 8:59 · HOU 15 · Score 0-3
(8:59) 9-C.Boswell 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 6:07 · PIT 28 · Score 6-3
(6:07) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep left to 18-R.Cobb for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-C.Heyward]. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 6:01 · PIT 15 · Score 7-3
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 11:35 · PIT 2 · Score 13-3
(11:35) 31-Da.Johnson right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 11:32 · PIT 15 · Score 14-3
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 5:09 · HOU 10 · Score 14-9
(5:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 85-E.Ebron for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 5:05 · HOU 15 · Score 14-10
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 1:22 · HOU 26 · Score 14-16
(1:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 1:14 · HOU 15 · Score 14-17
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 0:28 · PIT 14 · Score 20-17
(:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short left to 15-W.Fuller for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 0:24 · PIT 15 · Score 21-17
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 9:57 · HOU 8 · Score 21-20
(9:57) 9-C.Boswell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-D.Colquitt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 6:30 · HOU 12 · Score 21-26
(6:30) (Shotgun) 30-J.Conner right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 6:24 · HOU 2 · Score 21-28
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 19-J.Smith-Schuster is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Desmond Watson (HOU) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2020-09-27?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Houston Texans 28-21 in Week 3, 2020.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Houston Texans 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Q2: Houston Texans 14, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q3: Houston Texans 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Q4: Houston Texans 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 8; Final: Houston Texans 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Houston Texans touchdown — R. Cobb (D. Watson pass) (Q1 6:07) Houston Texans touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 11:35) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — E. Ebron (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 5:09) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 1:22) Houston Texans touchdown — W. Fuller (D. Watson pass) (Q2 0:28) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Conner (Q4 6:30) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q1 8:59, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 9:57, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 53.5% completion, +0.1% CPOE, +0.31 EPA per dropback, +13.35 total passing EPA. Desmond Watson (Houston Texans), 57.6% completion, +10.6% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +7.09 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +13.35 total EPA on Passing plays. across 43 snaps. Their top snap (+3.89 EPA): (2:19) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool to HOU 3 for 24 yards (23-E.Murray). FUMBLES (23-E.Murray), ball out of bounds at HOU 3..
Was Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 28-21 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W
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