How bad was the Houston Texans’ blown 26-23 loss against the Detroit Lions on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in front of the hometown crowd?
When you dive deeper, it gets worse.
The Texans forced five interceptions on Lions quarterback Jared Goff, including three in the first half. They led by 16 at halftime thanks to an 8-yard touchdown run from Pro Bowler Joe Mixon and a 15-yard touchdown catch from John Metchie III.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, teams were 373-1-1 when leading by at least 15 and snagging five interceptions since 1933. Then came the second-half implosion and a rewrite in the record books.
The Lions became the first team since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970 to beat the odds, joining a Johnny Unitus Baltimore Colts-lead team that secured a 21-20 win over the Chicago Bears on a five-turnover afternoon.
Fueled by two interceptions from cornerback Carlton Davis and the offense awakening and adjusting to Houston’s speedy, playmaking defense, Goff secured the biggest comeback win of the 2024 season and watched as Jake Bates drilled a game-winning 52-yard field goal to help the NFC North favorites to 8-1.
The Lions are the first team since 1970 to comeback and win a game after being down 15+ and throwing 5 INTs https://t.co/Cd1fxfVdIV pic.twitter.com/BRbpOgFKQ9
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 11, 2024
“Definitely should have won this game,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “My job is to lead the offense to score points, and I didn’t do that today. … We really should have put them away after the first half. It’s really on the offense.”
Stroud, who looked untouchable in the first half, was sacked four times and three two interceptions over the final 30 minutes. The Texans now have not scored in the second half since Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots/
Houston’s also been outscored 141-82 in the second half of games through 10 contests.
“It’s not good enough. Turning the football over there, especially in the red zone, or coming out,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We talked about getting started in the second half, and we talked about being better in the second half. But to come out and turn the ball over on the first play of the second half and to get in the red zone where we have points and to turn the ball over, that’s not winning football.”
The Texans could end the streak next week on the road at AT&T Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football
