Texans 19–21 Falcons: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 5, 2023

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons?

D. Ridder (Atlanta Falcons), 71.8% completion, +7.6% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +8.46 total passing EPA. C. Stroud (Houston Texans), 55.6% completion, -7.7% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.41 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons?

D. Ridder (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.46 total EPA on Passing plays. across 39 snaps. Their top snap (-5.71 EPA): (4:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short left to 81-J.Smith to HOU 13 for 10 yards (25-G.Arnold). FUMBLES (25-G.Arnold), touched at HOU 12, RECOVERED by HOU-5-J.Pitre at HOU 8. 5-J.P.

Quick answer

Winner: Atlanta Falcons
Final score: Atlanta Falcons 21–19 Houston Texans
Halftime: Houston Texans 9–7 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Desmond Ridder
Top passer: Desmond Ridder
Biggest EPA play: (11:01) 7-B.Robinson left end to ATL 29 for 1 yard (94-K.Davis). FUMBLES (94-K.Davis), REC…
Game date: 2023-10-08

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Houston Texans 21–19 on 2023-10-08, overcoming Houston Texans's 9–7 halftime lead. Desmond Ridder posted a game-high +8.46 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Houston Texans	3	6	3	7	0	19
Atlanta Falcons	7	0	0	17	0	21

Scoring Map

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

HOUHouston Texans

+1HOU 15

+3ATL 25

+3ATL 10

+3ATL 24

+3HOU 14

+3HOU 19

ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

HOUHouston Texans
Q1 10:42FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 19
Score
3-0
(10:42) 15-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 6:53TD
Desmond Ridder
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 7
Score
3-6
(6:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 6:48XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 15
Score
3-7
6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 14:15FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 25
Score
6-7
(14:15) 15-K.Fairbairn 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 0:06FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 10
Score
9-7
(:06) 15-K.Fairbairn 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
HOUHouston Texans
Q3 9:39FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 24
Score
12-7
(9:39) 15-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 12:17TD
Brian Robinson
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 6
Score
12-13
(12:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short middle to 7-B.Robinson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 12:12Safety
Desmond Ridder
Points+2
Yard line
HOU 2
Score
12-15
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Ridder pass to 25-T.Allgeier is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 7:00FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 14
Score
12-18
(7:00) 6-Y.Koo 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 1:54TD
Dalton Schultz
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 18
Score
18-18
(1:54) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 86-D.Schultz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 1:49XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
19-18
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 0:02FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 19
Score
19-21
(:02) 6-Y.Koo 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion. Penalty on HOU-25-G.Arnold, Defensive Offside, declined. Penalty on HOU-25-G.Arnold, Running Into the Kicker, declined.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 0:00FG
Points+3
Yard line
—
Score
19-21
END GAME

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Desmond Ridder · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +8.46 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
2Dalton Schultz · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
3C.J. Stroud · Houston Texans · Passing · +3.41 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
4N. Dell · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
5Drake London · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.32 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
6MyCole Pruitt · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.22 EPA/play
7Mack Hollins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
8Brian Robinson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 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

Desmond Ridder — ATL · Passing

Desmond Ridder posted the highest total EPA (+8.46) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Atlanta Falcons. Across 39 counted snaps, they averaged +0.22 EPA per play.

Desmond Ridder's top snap (-5.71 EPA): (4:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short left to 81-J.Smith to HOU 13 for 10 yards (25-G.Arnold). FUMBLES (25-G.Arnold), touched at HOU 12, RECOVERED by HOU-5-J.Pitre at HOU 8. 5-J.Pitre to HOU 30 for 22 yards (9-D.Ridder)

Biggest single play (-5.73 EPA): Brian Robinson — (11:01) 7-B.Robinson left end to ATL 29 for 1 yard (94-K.Davis). FUMBLES (94-K.Davis), RECOVERED by HOU-92-D.Horton at ATL 30.

Quarterback report card

Desmond Ridder led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons) · 39 dropbacks · 71.8% completion · +7.6% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.46 total EPA
C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · -7.7% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.41 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Houston Texans	Atlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play	-0.060	-0.052
Offensive success rate	37.3%	43.9%
Pass EPA/play	+0.095	+0.258
Rush EPA/play	-0.311	-0.362
Defensive EPA/play	+0.052	+0.060
Defensive success rate	56.1%	62.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Houston Texans -0.06, Atlanta Falcons -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Houston Texans: -0.06 EPA/play (42nd percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
Atlanta Falcons: -0.05 EPA/play (44th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -5.12 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Houston Texans: 11 drives, -4.50 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Atlanta Falcons — Desmond Ridder (Q1 6:53)
Atlanta Falcons — Brian Robinson (Desmond Ridder pass) (Q4 12:17)
Houston Texans — Dalton Schultz (C.J. Stroud pass) (Q4 1:54)

Field goals

Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q1 10:42)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q2 14:15)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q2 0:06)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q3 9:39)
Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q4 7:00)
Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q4 0:02)
Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ATL 19 (Q1 10:42) — (10:42) 15-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q1 6:53) — (6:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 6:48) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 6–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ATL 25 (Q2 14:15) — (14:15) 15-K.Fairbairn 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ATL 10 (Q2 0:06) — (:06) 15-K.Fairbairn 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston..

The third quarter: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the ATL 24 (Q3 9:39) — (9:39) 15-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 17–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the HOU 6 (Q4 12:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short middle to 7-B.Robinson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q4 12:12) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Ridder pass to 25-T.Allgeier is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the HOU 14 (Q4 7:00) — (7:00) 6-Y.Koo 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the ATL 18 (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 86-D.Schultz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 1:49) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the HOU 19 (Q4 0:02); Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END GAME.

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 6-Y.Koo 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion. Penalty on HOU-25-G.Arnold, Defensive Offside, declined. Penalty on HOU-25-G.Arnold, Running Into the Kicker, decl [WPA +27.8% · EPA +0.31]
Houston Texans (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 86-D.Schultz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +3.56]
Atlanta Falcons (Q3 4:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short left to 81-J.Smith to HOU 13 for 10 yards (25-G.Arnold). FUMBLES (25-G.Arnold), touched at HOU 12, RECOVERED by HOU-5-J.Pitre at HOU 8. 5-J.Pitre to HOU 30 for 2 [WPA -16.7% · EPA -5.71]
Atlanta Falcons (Q3 11:01) — (11:01) 7-B.Robinson left end to ATL 29 for 1 yard (94-K.Davis). FUMBLES (94-K.Davis), RECOVERED by HOU-92-D.Horton at ATL 30. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -5.73]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:55) — (:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass deep left to 5-D.London to HOU 26 for 23 yards (5-J.Pitre). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +1.62]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Atlanta Falcons (Q3 11:01) — (11:01) 7-B.Robinson left end to ATL 29 for 1 yard (94-K.Davis). FUMBLES (94-K.Davis), RECOVERED by HOU-92-D.Horton at ATL 30. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -5.73]
Atlanta Falcons (Q3 4:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short left to 81-J.Smith to HOU 13 for 10 yards (25-G.Arnold). FUMBLES (25-G.Arnold), touched at HOU 12, RECOVERED by HOU-5-J.Pitre at HOU 8. 5-J.Pitre to HOU 30 for 2 [WPA -16.7% · EPA -5.71]
Houston Texans (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 86-D.Schultz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +3.56]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short left to 8-K.Pitts to HOU 29 for 5 yards (39-H.To'oTo'o). PENALTY on ATL-67-D.Dalman, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at HOU 29. [WPA -6.7% · EPA -2.57]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 10:42 · ATL 19 · Score 3-0
(10:42) 15-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 6:53 · HOU 7 · Score 3-6
(6:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 6:48 · HOU 15 · Score 3-7
6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 14:15 · ATL 25 · Score 6-7
(14:15) 15-K.Fairbairn 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 0:06 · ATL 10 · Score 9-7
(:06) 15-K.Fairbairn 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 9:39 · ATL 24 · Score 12-7
(9:39) 15-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:17 · HOU 6 · Score 12-13
(12:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short middle to 7-B.Robinson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons Safety (+2) — Q4 12:12 · HOU 2 · Score 12-15
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Ridder pass to 25-T.Allgeier is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 7:00 · HOU 14 · Score 12-18
(7:00) 6-Y.Koo 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 1:54 · ATL 18 · Score 18-18
(1:54) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 86-D.Schultz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 1:49 · ATL 15 · Score 19-18
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · HOU 19 · Score 19-21
(:02) 6-Y.Koo 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion. Penalty on HOU-25-G.Arnold, Defensive Offside, declined. Penalty on HOU-25-G.Arnold, Running Into the Kicker, decl
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 19-21
END GAME

Key takeaways

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

Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Desmond Ridder (ATL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons on 2023-10-08?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Houston Texans 21-19 in Week 5, 2023.

What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q1: Houston Texans 3, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q2: Houston Texans 6, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q3: Houston Texans 3, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q4: Houston Texans 7, Atlanta Falcons 17; Final: Houston Texans 19, Atlanta Falcons 21.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Ridder (Q1 6:53) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — B. Robinson (D. Ridder pass) (Q4 12:17) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Schultz (C. Stroud pass) (Q4 1:54) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q1 10:42, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 14:15, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 0:06, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q3 9:39, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q4 7:00, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q4 0:02, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — unlisted player (Q4 0:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons?

Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons), 71.8% completion, +7.6% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +8.46 total passing EPA. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), 55.6% completion, -7.7% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.41 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons?

Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.46 total EPA on Passing plays. across 39 snaps. Their top snap (-5.71 EPA): (4:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Ridder pass short left to 81-J.Smith to HOU 13 for 10 yards (25-G.Arnold). FUMBLES (25-G.Arnold), touched at HOU 12, RECOVERED by HOU-5-J.Pitre at HOU 8. 5-J.P.

Was Houston Texans vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Atlanta Falcons won 21-19 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Houston Texans

Entered 2-2 Now 2-3 L

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 2-2 Now 3-2 W

Houston Texans vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2023 Week 5 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Texans

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Quick answer

Game summary