Jake Bates hit a 52-yard field goal as time expired Sunday to help the Detroit Lions beat the Houston Texans 26-23 for their seventh straight win.
The Lions scored the final 19 points of the game after having trailed 23-7 at halftime. Detroit overcame a chaotic performance by quarterback Jared Goff, who threw five interceptions in the win. Goff is just the third quarterback since 1990 to win a game while throwing five interceptions.
C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions of his own for the Texans, and he was also sacked four times.
Goff was picked off on the Lions’ first drive, and Houston responded by scoring a touchdown eight plays later. After a Detroit three-and-out, the Texans added to their lead with a field goal.
The Lions briefly appeared to settle down offensively with an 11-play, 70-yard drive to cut the score to 10-7. But their final four drives of the first half were an interception, a three-and-out, a three-and-out and then one more interception on a Hail Mary attempt.
In that time, Houston added two more field goals and a touchdown. The Texans’ final touchdown was a 15-yard reception by John Metchie, his first career score.
The second half started with the quarterbacks trading interceptions. After a Houston punt, Detroit finally worked down the field for a touchdown to cut the score to 23-13. But then the game ground to a halt. The quarterbacks traded interceptions for a second time before the offenses combined for three straight punts.
The Lions finally restored order with a seven-play, 64-yard drive for a touchdown to make the score 23-20. After another seven-play drive by Detroit to tie the game, Houston had a chance to win late. Stroud led the Texans to the 40-yard line, but Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal that would have given Houston the lead.
The Lions took advantage of the short field, setting up Bates’ game-winner in a few plays.
Detroit improved to 8-1, remaining in first place in the NFC. The Lions will return home to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.
Houston fell to 6-4 with its third defeat in four games. The Texans play the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 18.
Jake Bates talks game-winning field goal
Final: Lions 26, Texans 23
Jake Bates hits a 52-yard field goal as time expires, and the Lions have overcome five interceptions by Jared Goff to win their sixth straight game.
What a chaotic game!
Texans miss field goal after no call on third down
Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal, and the Lions will have the ball on their own 48 with the game tied at 23.
Detroit looked to get away with a pass interference penalty on third down, but the no-call set up the field goal attempt for Houston.
There’s 1:51 left.
We have a tie game
Jake Bates hits a 58-yard field goal — the longest in Lions history — and we have a tie game in Houston.
After all the chaos, it’s 23-23 with 5:01 left in the fourth.
Texans punt after four plays
The Texans punt after four plays and now the Lions — who’ve thrown five interceptions tonight — will take over with a chance to tie or take the lead.
Detroit has the ball on its own 17 trailing 23-20.
Touchdown, Lions!
It’s only a one-score game after an Amon-Ra St. Brown nine-yard touchdown catch.
The Lions went 64 yards in seven plays, including an impressive 17-yard catch from Jameson Williams, who held on to the ball after taking a crushing hit.
The Texans’ lead has been cut to 23-20.
Lions take over one play into the fourth quarter
The Texans can’t complete a third down pass on the first play of the third quarter, and the Lions will take over on offense.
Detroit trails 23-13, but is somehow still in this game despite five interceptions from Jared Goff.
Lions punt after six plays
The Lions punted after a six-play, 39-yard drive.
Detroit ran on 3rd-and-7 to seemingly set up a fourth-down attempt, but a David Montgomery rush picked up only two yards, and the Lions decided to punt on 4th-and-5.
The Texans still lead 23-13.
We finally got a punt
Only one first down for the Texans on their latest drive, and they punted back to the Lions. Never has a punt been so refreshing!
Detroit will take over trailing 23-13.
You guessed it — another interception!
What was in the water in Houston today?
Jared Goff was just picked off the fifth time. Goff tried to find Jameson Williams running down the left sideline, instead he found a Texans defender for his fifth interception.
Houston leads 23-13.
Another interception!
And now C.J. Stroud is intercepted for the second time!
Stroud underthrew Tank Dell in the end zone and was picked off by Carlton Davis.
The Lions will take over on their own 20 trailing 23-13.
Touchdown, Lions!
The Lions offense finally breaks through.
David Montgomery punched in a touchdown from three yards out to cut into the Texans’ lead. Detroit was set up inside the five after a 37-yard pass from Jared Goff to Sam LaPorta.
They failed on the 2-point conversion.
The Lions couldn’t convert a two-point attempt, so Houston leads 23-13.
Lions survive Goff interception
Replay review ruled the Texans down at their own 1 after Jared Goff’s fourth interception of the night, and their offense could gain only one yard while backed up.
Detroit will take over on the Houston 44 after a punt. Can the Lions offense finally get going?
Now it’s a Texans interception!
What a turn of events!
Three plays after a C.J. Stroud interception, Jared Goff was picked off — his fourth pick of the night! The Goff interception ends a Lions drive that had already entered the red zone.
Brutal night for Goff and the Detroit offense.
The Texans will take over on their own 20 unscathed after the Stroud turnover. Houston still leads 23-7.
Interception, Lions!
What a start to the second half!
C.J. Stroud is picked off on the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter, and the Lions are set up on the Houston 31. That’s exactly what Detroit — trailing 23-7 — needed.
Halftime: Texans 23, Lions 7
Jared Goff was intercepted on a Hail Mary on the final play of the second quarter, and the Texans will take a 23-7 lead into halftime.
C.J. Stroud is 14 of 20 for 167 yards and a touchdown.
Jared Goff is 7 of 17 for 91 yards, one touchdown and three picks.
Houston will receive to start the third quarter.
Emotional night for John Metchie
With his 15-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, Texans receiver John Metchie caught the first score of his NFL career.
Metchie was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but missed the entire 2022 season after he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He played in 16 games for Houston last season, catching 16 passes.
Metchie entered Sunday with four catches for 36 yards in six games. In the first half alone against the Lions, Metchie had four catches for 65 yards — and his first career touchdown.
Touchdown, Texans!
A first-half dagger?
On 3rd-and-10 from the 15, C.J. Stroud laced a ball up the middle of the field to John Metchie for the receiver’s first career touchdown.
It’s now a 23-7 lead for the Texans.
Lions punt again
Another nothingburger for the Lions offense, who went three-and-out for the third time tonight.
The Texans are driving with under a minute to go in the first half.
Texans go backwards in three-and-out
Houston loses 15 yards on its most recent drive, giving the Lions a chance to cut into the lead before halftime. A 12-yard sack on first down set the Texans back considerably.
Detroit will take over on its own 19 with 1:51 left in the half, trailing 16-7.
Lions go three-and-out
Another tough drive for the Lions offense, which picked up only two yards in three plays.
The Texans will take over on their own 34 with a 16-7 lead.
Lions hold in the red zone, Texans kick again
The Texans had great field position after their second interception, but the Lions held them to their third field goal of the night.
Houston got all the way to the 11 but couldn’t pick up another yard after that.
The Texans now lead 16-7.
Jared Goff picked off again!
The Texans are going to have great field position after another interception.
Jared Goff was hit while throwing, and after the ball bounced around in the air it ended up in the arms of a Houston defender.
Houston has the ball inside the Detroit 40.
Texans add another field goal
The Texans end a five-play, 32-yard drive with a 56-yard field goal.
Houston now leads 13-7 with 8:25 left in the second quarter.
Touchdown, Lions!
The Lions are on the board!
After a play-action fake, Jared Goff rolled out right and found Sam LaPorta for a 20-yard touchdown. That capped an 11-play, 70-yard drive by the Lions.
It’s now a 10-7 Houston lead.
End of first: Texans 10, Lions 0
Nice start for the Texans, who are up by 10 as we head into the second.
The Lions are finally putting a drive together after an interception and three-and-out on their first two possessions. Detroit will have a 1st-and-10 from its own 47 (after converting a 3rd-and-16) to start the next quarter.
Lions make goal-line stand, Texans get three
Nice job by the Detroit defense to keep this game close.
The Texans had a 1st-and-goal from the 3 after a 36-yard run by Joe Mixon, but a holding penalty set the drive back, and the Lions sacked C.J. Stroud on third down.
Houston still added a field goal, increasing its lead to 10-0.
Lions answer touchdown with three-and-out
Rough offensive start for the Lions so far.
They go three-and-out after the Texans touchdown. Houston has the ball back with a 7-0 lead.
Joe Mixon continues to dominate
When Houston brought Joe Mixon over from Cincinnati in a trade for a seventh-round pick, I don’t think anyone thought they would get this.
Mixon had 609 yards rushing and six touchdowns in only six games this season entering ‘Sunday Night Football,’ and he added another score already against the Lions. He has touchdowns in every game but one he’s appeared in.
Touchdown, Texans!
The Texans took advantage of their interception and went 33 yards in eight plays, capped off with a Joe Mixon eight-yard touchdown run.
Houston leads 7-0.
Jared Goff picked off!
The Texans are on offense after a quick change.
A Jared Goff pass on 2nd-and-11 was batted into the air and then intercepted.
Houston will take over on the Lions’ 33.
We’re off!
The first play from scrimmage is an incomplete play-action pass from Jared Goff.
Injuries piling up for Houston
2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. (team-high 7.5 sacks) suffered an ankle injury in Week 9 at the Jets and will miss tonight’s matchup. So too will WRs Nico Collins (hamstring) and WR Stefon Diggs.
Texans receiver Tank Dell, however, will be active and should be the top target for C.J. Stroud.
Lions announce inactives for ‘Sunday Night Football’
Nico Collins inactive vs. Lions
Texans star WR Nico Collins, who just came off the IR following a hamstring injury, appeared in line to play but will be inactive against the Lions.
Texans, CJ Stroud need to figure out things fast
Houston fell 21-13 at the Jets in Week 9 and have lost two of the last three games after starting the season 5-1.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times in defeat. He was 11-for-30 passing (36.7% — worst completion percentage of career). Stroud’s last 3 games: 52.3%, one touchdown with two fumbles lost.
Lions proving why they are Super Bowl contenders
The Lions enter Week 10 with an NFL-best +110 point differential this season.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff over his last five games: 83.8% completion, 12 total touchdowns (11 passing, 1 receiving with 0 turnovers.
Lions on 6-game winning streak
Detroit beat the Packers 24-14 at Lambeau Field in Week 9. The Lions’ six-game win streak is the longest active in the NFC.
During the six-game win streak, Jared Goff and Coo. are averaging 36 points per game while allowing only 18 points per game.
Tale of two turnarounds
The Lions are off to their best start since 1956, the year before they won their most recent title, while the Texans are looking for consecutive playoff berths following a 3-season span that saw them hold the worst record in the NFL (11-38-1 from 2020-22).
Detroit is looking for consecutive division titles for the first time since 1952-54 (3 straight) while coach Demeco Ryans is trying to become the first coach in franchise history to win division titles each of his 1st two seasons.