The Detroit Lions made an epic comeback after Jake Bates’ 52-year field goal as time expired to defeat the Houston Texans 26-23 on Sunday night.
The Lions improved to 8-1 for the first time since 1954 with their seventh straight victory overall and fifth in a row on the road.
Detroit trailed 23-7 at half-time after Jared Goff threw three interceptions in the first two quarters, and he threw two more picks in the third. Nonetheless, the Lions scored 16 straight points to tie it with about five minutes to go on Bates’ 58-yard field goal.
The Texans (6-4) had a chance to take the lead with just under two minutes left, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 58-yard try was wide left.
The Lions became the first team to win when throwing five or more interceptions since Atlanta beat Arizona in 2012, when Matt Ryan was picked off five times.
David Montgomery ran for three-yard touchdown early in the third, but his run on the two-point conversion try was stopped, leaving the Lions down 23-13. A nine-yard TD reception by Amon-Ra St. Brown got Detroit within 23-20 early in the fourth quarter.
Jake Bates’ field goal completed a remarkable Detroit Lions comeback
Goff threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 71 yards. C.J. Stroud threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, but he threw two interceptions in the second half as the Texans were shut out after the break to lose for the third time in four games.
The 30-year-old’s five picks were the most by an NFL player since Jameis Winston threw five on for Tampa Bay against Carolina five years ago.
Goff hadn’t thrown an interception in five games and entered Sunday with just four all season. His previous career high was four in a loss to Chicago while with the Rams in 2019. Rookie Kamari Lassiter led the Texans with two interceptions as they set a franchise record for picks.
“I had some unfortunate things early, but I’ve been through a whole lot worse than that,” Goff said.
“Mentally, I’ve been to the bottom. Some unlucky plays aren’t going to throw me off my game.”
Stats leaders
Houston Texans
- Passing: C.J. Stroud, 19/33, 232 yards, 1 TD 2 INTs
- Rushing: Joe Mixon, 25 carries, 46 yards 1 TD
- Receiving: John Metchie III, 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
Detroit Lions
- Passing: Jared Goff, 15/30, 250 yards, 2 TD, 5 INTs
- Rushing: Jahmyr Gibbs, 19 carries, 71 yards
- Receiving: Sam Laporta, 3 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD
What’s next?
In Week 11, he Lions host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, with the Texans heading to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports NFL.
Week 10 in the NFL concludes on Monday night when the Los Angeles Rams host the Miami Dolphins, live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Also stream with NOW