Lions’ Jake Bates makes game-winning field goal to beat Texans on night Jared Goff throws 5 interceptions
This game wasn’t good at all for both of these teams being upset, but it was the Detroit Lions who were able to fight their way out to come out with a tough win.
The Lions improved to 8-1 on the year, while the Texans fell to 6-4.
A game full of turnovers turned into an exciting fourth quarter, dominated by the Lions, who entered the second half down 23-7. As fans know by now, the team led by Dan Campbell never lets up.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) tries to pass in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. (Photos by Troy Taormina-Imagn)
With the game tied at 23 apiece, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal to regain the lead after Lions kicker Jake Bates kicked his own from the same distance to tie it. Bates’ punt was the third-longest in Lions history.
That gave Jared Goff and the Lions’ great field position with less than two minutes to charge down the field for a possible win.
A key third-down catch by Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 11-yarder put the Lions in Houston’s territory at the point where Bates could attempt another kick as time expired.
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This one, from 52 yards out, started to go left but held on for the win.
While Goff struggled to keep the ball in the Lions’ hands, Detroit’s defense should get a ton of credit for keeping CJ Stroud’s offense and the Texans from scoring in the second half.
The third quarter was the most careless the two forwards have had the ball all season, as they traded passes throughout the 15 minutes.
The first play of the second half was a Stroud interception pass by Tank Dell, Carlton Davis stepped in front of him to give Detroit what they needed to get back into the game.
But three plays later, Goff sent LaPorta in and Kamari Lassiter hauled it in at the one-yard line.
The Lions were able to keep the ball when they got it back, and David Montgomery hit it in the end zone from three meters to make it 23-13. But the touchdowns started happening again, and Stroud’s proved to be more important as it appeared he had Dell in the NFL’s one-touchdown end zone.
Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) tries to pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium. (Photos by Troy Taormina-Imagn)
However, Davis came flying in on a high pass from Stroud to take it away for a touchdown.
But, no, the Lions couldn’t get the ball back, as Goff’s deep pass to Jameson Williams was nowhere near being completed. It was his fifth appearance in the game, setting a career high.
The Lions’ defense continued to lift Goff, however, as they forced several punts until St. Brown found his way into the paint to get within three points.
Goff’s turnover problem started early in this game, as he was ejected on the fifth play, as Jimmie Ward picked off a pass intended for Jahmyr Gibbs.
Stroud and the Texans’ offense had a big play on the opening drive, as Joe Mixon, who rushed for 46 yards on 25 carries, found the end zone from eight yards out.
A Fairbairn field goal made it 10-0 late in the first quarter, but the Lions would finally find something on their third drive of the game.
Detroit Lions linebacker Carlton Davis III (23) celebrates with teammate Kindle Vildor (29) after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A deep pass to Williams, who returned following his PED suspension, went 23 yards to move the chains on third-and-16 to prevent the Lions from punting. Goff would use that to later find tight end Sam LaPorta for a 20-yard touchdown to make it 10-7.
But the Texans’ defense began to harass Goff after another Fairbairn field goal that made it 13-7.
One of the more mysterious plays you’ll see came when Goff tried to throw a short pass to LaPorta, and it bounced through the air until Henry To’oTo’o hauled it in at the Lions’ 36-yard line.
Then, after a Detroit three-and-out, Stroud found the end zone again, this time throwing a strike to John Metchie III from 15 yards out to open the door at the end of the first half, 23-7.
But Stroud, who went 19-of-33 for 232 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, couldn’t put anything together in the second half to pull out the victory at home.
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) watches his 58-yard field goal with teammate Jack Fox (3) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
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Goff was 15-of-30 for 240 yards with two touchdowns and five picks, while Gibbs rushed for 71 yards on 19 carries.
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