Following an important 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers in a rainy and windy Lambeau Field, the Detroit Lions (7-1) travel to Texas for the second time this season to face the Houston Texans (6-3), riding a six-game win streak.
Detroit will make their second appearance on Sunday Night Football, previously defeating the Rams in Week 1, and begin a stretch of three games against AFC South opponents. Sunday’s game will be the sixth all-time meeting between the franchises, which Houston leads 4-1.
Texans report: With head coach DeMeco Ryans in his second year in charge of the Texans, Houston has picked up six wins through their first nine games and holds a two-game lead in the AFC South. Houston is currently 3-0 in the AFC South, but is 1-2 against the NFC North, and Sunday’s game against the Lions marks the final NFC North opponent they face this season. The Texans defeated Chicago but lost to Green Bay and Minnesota.
Houston comes off a loss to the Jets on the road, which was the first of three consecutive games in primetime as the Texans play Dallas on Monday night in Week 11. Quarterback C.J. Stroud ranks sixth with 2,139 passing yards with 11 touchdowns. However, Houston has suffered some injuries to their receiving corps with Stefon Diggs’ ACL injury, and Nico Collins still recovering from a hamstring injury that put him Reserve/Injured. Collins did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was designated for return on Friday and is listed as questionable.
While Collins and Diggs have combined for six touchdown receptions, running back Joe Mixon has rushed in for six, tied for seventh in the league. Houston has struggled to protect Stroud at times, allowing 31 sacks which is tied for second-worst in the league.
On the flip side, Houston’s defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times, which is fourth-most in the league. They also limit quarterbacks to just a 54.9 percent completion percentage, which will be a test for Detroit’s Jared Goff, who has a league-high 74.9 percent completion percentage.
Last meeting: On Thanksgiving Day in 2020, the Houston Texans picked up a 41-25 win at Ford Field, handing Detroit their seventh loss of the season. Adrian Peterson had two touchdown runs in the first half for the Lions while two Deshaun Watson touchdown passes, and a J.J. Watt pick-six gave the Texans a 23-14 halftime lead. Will Fuller had two 30-plus yard touchdown grabs in the fourth quarter to create a comfortable margin for Houston.
Quick hits:
1. Through Stroud’s first 24 career games, he’s completed 507-of-795 attempts for a 97.5 passer rating, the third-highest mark in NFL history in that span.
2. Mixon became the fifth running back in NFL history to record 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in five of their first six games of the season.
3. This is Houston’s second home Sunday Night Football game, and marks the first time since 2012 the franchise has hosted two SNF games in the same season.
Data dive:
Stats are based on Weeks 1-9 followed by the rank.
| Team | Total Offense | Total Defense | Rushing Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Defense | Passing Defense | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 369.6 (7) | 357.1 (22) | 152.6 (6) | 217 (15) | 106.4 (7) | 250.8 (29) | 16 (3) |
| Texans | 348.1 (11) | 281.7 (2) | 126.4 (11) | 221.7 (13) | 114.2 (12) | 167.4 (3) | 13 (T-10) |
Next on the schedule:
- Houston: at Dallas, Nov. 18, 8:15 p.m.
- Detroit: vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 17, 1:00 p.m.
Here are five Texans storylines to follow into Sunday evening’s matchup:
1. DeMeco Ryans previews Lions game | Coffee with Coach
Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans chats with Texans analyst John Harris and Vice President of Broadcasting Marc Vandermeer about the ‘mini-bye’ following the Jets game and how the team has used the extra time to prepare for the Detroit Lions.
2. The Lions are talking about the Texans | Enemy Intel
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, quarterback Jared Goff and all three coordinators share their thoughts on the Houston Texans ahead of Sunday’s Week 10 matchup.
3. Know your foe: Detroit Lions | Week 10
Texans’ analyst John Harris previews the Lions and what are the keys to a Houston victory against Detroit’s offense and defense in Sunday night’s showdown.
4. Nick Caserio talks trade deadline and Detroit Lions matchup
Houston general manager Nick Caserio speaks with Texans analyst John Harris and Vice President of Broadcasting Marc Vandermeer about what challenges the Detroit Lions can bring in Sunday’s game. WATCH
5. These 2 to shine vs. Lions | In the Lab podcast
Drew Dougherty of Texans TV and analyst John Harris share why defensive ends Denico Autry and Danielle Hunter will need to be key players against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. LISTEN
