Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats: Inside the 5-INT Comeback Victory

The story behind the Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans match on November 10, 2024, showcases one of the most improbable comebacks of the NFL season.

I’ve spent years analyzing NFL games, and this Week 10 matchup deserves special attention for how it unfolded.

The Prime Time Showdown: Setting the Stage

This wasn’t just any regular season game. With the Lions at 7-1 and the Texans at 6-3, both teams were firmly in playoff contention when they met at NRG Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

What nobody expected was the rollercoaster that would unfold over four quarters of football.

The final score? Lions 26, Texans 23. But that barely scratches the surface of what actually happened on the field.

First Half Nightmare: Lions Fall Behind

If you only watched the first half, you’d have sworn the Texans were headed for a blowout victory:

Houston built a commanding 23-7 lead by halftime
Texans defense forced 4 first-half turnovers
Lions quarterback Jared Goff looked completely out of sorts
Joe Mixon scored an early touchdown for Houston
John Metchie III added a receiving touchdown before halftime

The statistics painted a grim picture for Detroit fans. Something drastic needed to change.

Lions Offensive Player Performance: Finding a Way Despite Turnovers

Let’s talk about Goff’s bizarre stat line. According to the official box score, he finished with:

15/30 completions (50%)
240 passing yards
2 touchdowns
Career-high 5 interceptions
59.7 passer rating
Zero sacks taken (showing solid protection)

This performance stands as one of the most unusual in recent NFL history. Since 2000, teams are 3-108 when their quarterback throws 5+ interceptions. Goff joined elite company in the “won despite everything” category.

The ground game kept Detroit afloat:

Jahmyr Gibbs: 19 carries, 71 yards with a long of 20 yards
David Montgomery: 12 carries, 32 yards, 1 touchdown
Montgomery added a critical 24-yard reception

Gibbs continued his strong rookie campaign, where he ranked 8th in the league for yards per carry (4.8) among running backs with 100+ attempts.

The receiving corps showed up when it mattered:

Amon-Ra St. Brown: 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 touchdown
Sam LaPorta: 3 catches, 66 yards, 1 touchdown (left with shoulder injury)
Jameson Williams: 3 catches, 53 yards with a long of 23 yards

St. Brown’s consistency proved vital, adding to his season total where he ranked among the NFL’s top 5 receivers in both receptions and yards through Week 10.

Lions Defensive Heroes: The Second Half Shutdown

The true story of this comeback lies with the Lions defense. After allowing 23 first-half points, they completely shut out the Texans in the second half.

Carlton Davis III emerged as the game-changer:

2 interceptions (both in the second half)
4 tackles
Completely shifted the game’s momentum

Alim McNeill dominated the interior:

5 solo tackles
1 sack
1 tackle for loss
Consistent pressure on C.J. Stroud

The Lions defense, ranked No. 1 in the league in third-down efficiency, held the Texans to just 6-for-15 on third downs. Those stops proved crucial in getting the ball back to the offense.

This defensive performance mirrored what they did in a similar comeback against the Baltimore Ravens earlier in the season, showing a pattern of second-half resilience.

Texans Offensive Player Performance: Hot Start, Cold Finish

The tale of two halves affected Houston just as dramatically.

C.J. Stroud started strong but faltered late:

19/33 completions (57.6%)
232 passing yards
1 touchdown
2 interceptions (both in the second half)
64.2 passer rating
Sacked 4 times for a loss of 40 yards

Despite the tough finish, Stroud remained in the top 10 for passing yards among NFL quarterbacks, showcasing why he was considered a rising star.

The ground attack struggled to find space:

Joe Mixon: 25 carries, just 46 yards (1.8 YPC), 1 touchdown
Dare Ogunbowale: 1 carry, 11 yards
Tank Dell: 1 carry, minus 6 yards

Mixon’s 1.8 yards per carry marked his least efficient game of the season, well below his season average of 4.2 YPC.

Receiving production showed some bright spots:

John Metchie III: 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 touchdown
Dalton Schultz: 3 catches, 66 yards with a long of 32 yards
Tank Dell: 5 catches, 39 yards (targeted 9 times)
Joe Mixon: 2 catches, 44 yards

Metchie’s performance was particularly encouraging considering his comeback story from missing the previous season due to health issues.

Texans Defensive Stars: Creating Turnovers Wasn’t Enough

The Houston defense did everything possible to secure a victory, in a performance reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboys defense at their best:

Rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter had a breakthrough performance:

2 interceptions, including a crucial red zone pick
Showed exceptional instincts and ball skills

Jimmie Ward made an immediate impact:

Intercepted Goff on the Lions’ opening drive
Set up the Texans’ first touchdown

Henry To’oTo’o and Denico Autry also contributed:

To’oTo’o recorded an interception
Autry’s quarterback pressure led directly to another interception

In total, the Texans defense forced an incredible 7 turnovers (5 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered). Teams winning the turnover battle by 5 typically win 95% of the time in the NFL—making this loss particularly stunning.

Special Teams: The Ultimate Difference Maker

In close games, kickers often determine the outcome. This game proved that axiom true.

Jake Bates became the unlikely hero for Detroit:

Connected on a game-tying 58-yard field goal
Drilled the game-winning 52-yarder as time expired
Showed remarkable composure under pressure
Finished 2-for-2 on field goals (made his only extra point attempt)

Bates, who had an unconventional path to the NFL through the UFL, proved himself clutch in a way reminiscent of Justin Tucker’s performances for the Ravens.

Ka’imi Fairbairn for Houston:

Connected on 3 of 4 field goal attempts (34, 56, and 29 yards)
Crucially missed a 58-yarder with under two minutes remaining
That miss gave Detroit excellent field position for their winning drive

The final sequence was exactly the kind of drama NFL fans live for, joining other dramatic finishes like the 49ers vs Chiefs showdown as an instant classic.

Game-Changing Moments That Defined The Comeback

Looking at the complete game flow, several pivotal moments stand out:

Carlton Davis III’s two second-half interceptions completely changed the momentum
David Montgomery’s third-quarter touchdown sparked the offensive resurgence
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s touchdown reception brought Detroit within striking distance
Fairbairn’s missed 58-yard field goal attempt opened the door for Detroit
Bates’ clutch field goals to tie and ultimately win the game

What makes this even more remarkable is the historical context. The Lions entered this game with a 1-4 all-time record against the Texans, having lost four straight matchups dating back to 2004.

FAQ About Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats

How many interceptions did Jared Goff throw against the Texans?

Jared Goff threw a career-high 5 interceptions in this game, yet somehow still managed to lead his team to victory with crucial completions on the final drive.

Who scored the game-winning points for the Lions?

Kicker Jake Bates hit a clutch 52-yard field goal as time expired to give the Lions a 26-23 victory.

Which Lions defender had the biggest impact on the comeback?

Cornerback Carlton Davis III had two crucial second-half interceptions that helped fuel the Lions’ comeback by giving the offense additional possessions.

How many points did the Lions score in the second half versus the first half?

The Lions scored just 7 points in the first half but exploded for 19 unanswered points in the second half while shutting out the Texans.

What was the Lions’ record against the Texans before this game?

Prior to this victory, the Lions were 1-4 all-time against the Texans, with their only previous win coming back in 2004.

How many total yards did each team gain in the game?

The Lions gained 347 total yards (240 passing, 107 rushing) while the Texans finished with 284 total yards (232 passing, 52 rushing).

What This Game Meant For Both Teams’ Seasons

For Detroit, this victory represented far more than just another tally in the win column.

The ability to overcome a disastrous first half with 5 turnovers demonstrated remarkable resilience and mental toughness. Championship teams find ways to win even when everything goes wrong.

At 8-1 after this game, the Lions further solidified their position as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Their defense proved it could completely shut down an opponent when needed, similar to how top NFC contenders like the Chicago Bears have relied on defensive performance.

For Houston, this loss was a substantial missed opportunity. Despite creating 7 turnovers and building a 16-point halftime lead, they couldn’t finish the job. The second-half offensive shutdown raised questions about adjustments and execution in crucial moments.

However, the performances of young players like Kamari Lassiter and continued development from C.J. Stroud provided hope for the future, with Stroud showing flashes of the talent that makes him one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league alongside peers in the AFC North like the Bengals’ Joe Burrow.

In the world of professional football, the Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans match player stats tell a story beyond simple numbers. They reveal character, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of a game where nothing can be taken for granted until the final whistle blows.