close
close

Association-anemone

Bite-sized brilliance in every update

    • Detroit Lions mount epic rally in 26-23 win over Houston Texans
    asane

    Detroit Lions mount epic rally in 26-23 win over Houston Texans

    Online Niel Posted on

    HOUSTON—The Detroit Lions they were their own worst enemy on Sunday and even that wasn’t enough to stop their impressive winning streak.

    Jake Bates made field goals of 58 and 52 yards in the final 5:01, the second game-winner as time expired, as the Lions overcame five Jared Goff interceptions to beat the Houston Texans, 26-23, at NRG.

    The Lions, winners of seven straight (the franchise’s longest streak since 1995) and owners of an NFC-best 8-1 record, rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit for the improbable victory.

    Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal after a high snap on the Texans’ final possession to leave the Lions good field position for their final drive. Fairbairn was 11-of-13 on kicks of at least 50 yards this season before his miss.

    BATES’ STORY: The Detroit Lions may have discovered their new secret cannon: Jake Bates

    Here are three thoughts from Sunday’s game:

    Angry, Goff

    You shouldn’t win a game when your quarterback throws five interceptions. In fact, it’s only the second time since 2000 that the Lions have won a game in which they had five picks.

    Not every Lions turnover was Goff’s fault. He didn’t get much help in pass protection or the run game most of the night, and one of his picks came on a Hail Mary late in the first half.

    But after playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and a favorite for the league’s MVP for the month of October, Goff lacked accuracy and tried to do too much at times on Sunday. His first interception came on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, he made a bad throw to Jameson Williams on another pick and was lucky to avoid a sixth interception when Derek Stingley threw a deep strike to Williams on the first quarter.

    I don’t think Sunday’s performance was a regression or a worrying sign of things to come. This is the same Goff who threw four interceptions in the last 10 games last season (including the playoffs). It has a recent enough history to consider this unique.

    But other teams will take note of how the Texans got after Goff and the struggles the Lions had in protection and try to copy that plan going forward.

    Glenn shines in homecoming

    It cannot be understated what Aaron Glenn has done with the Lions defense.

    The Lions are down the top three edge rushers and was traded for a new pass rusher this week which did not fit on Sunday. They had a rough opening game and gave up a touchdown right before halftime, but they forced two fumbles, had four sacks, held a good Houston running game to 56 net yards and played well in the red zone most of the night.

    Alim McNeill was dominant at defensive tackle against a poor Texans offensive line, and Brian Branch had an All-Pro performance with 10 tackles and two pass breakups while remaining a force against the run.

    The Lions held the Texans scoreless to just five first downs in the second half. Glenn, a Texas native who played three seasons in mid-career Houston, was a star Sunday.

    MAGIC WORDS: Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell will have an interception in existence during the interview

    Magical moments

    There’s no guarantee the Lions will hold off the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 1 seed. 1 in the NFC, but just went 5-0 in the toughest stretch of their schedule – road games against the Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Green. Bay Packers and a home game against the Tennessee Titans – and there’s no denying the magical element of this season.

    Bates played in the United Football League six months ago and hasn’t conceded a goal this year. The defense tortures opponents without its best player. And the offense is loaded with skill players.

    The Lions have some tough games coming up — against the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, among others — but they feel unstoppable right now.

    Dave Birkett will be signing copies of his new book.Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday at Our Lady of Victory in Northville. Order your copy here. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

    Online Niel
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like