The Detroit Lions took on the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football in what was a wild game.
Entering their Week 10 contest, Jared Goff had thrown four interceptions on the season, all coming in the first three games. Goff exceeded his interception total in the game against the Houston Texans, throwing five interceptions.
Despite a dreadful night from Goff, the Detroit Lions pulled off the 26-23 victory.
Jake Bates hit the longest field goal in Detroit Lions history with 5:06 left in the fourth quarter to tie it. He barely snuck it in the upright.
With four seconds to go, Bates was set up for a 52-yard field goal to win it and he had a mirror image of the kick that tied the game.
Jake Bates grew up in Tomball, Texas, which is around a half hour from Houston, Texas. Jake Bates was able to tie the game and then win the game for the Lions.
Below, we break down the massive Sunday Night Football game and discuss the implications for each team.
Detroit Lions Defeat Houston Texans
The Detroit Lions could not have had a worse night if they tried. Jared Goff threw a disastrous five interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs was held to 3.7 yards per rush attempt and David Montgomery was held to 2.7 yards per rush attempt. Amon-Ra St. Brown had just 60 receiving yards. Sam Laporta left the game with a shoulder injury but had 66 receiving yards and a receiving TD.
The game went fairly smoothly for the Houston Texans in the first half. CJ Stroud was looking good, despite not having his top wideout Nico Collins. At half, the Texans were up 23-7 and were in complete control.
However, on the first play of the third quarter, Stroud threw an interception. But it ended up not being a big deal as Goff threw an interception right back and the Lions couldn’t capitalize.
Detroit would get the ball back in Houston territory and score a TD. Montgomery got a three-yard rushing TD after Sam Laporta recorded a 37-yard catch to put Detroit on the Houston three-yard line. Detroit’s 2-point attempt failed.
On the next drive, Stroud had a wide-open Tank Dell in the endzone but saw him a second too late and did not zip the ball. He needed to zip it in and it would have been an easy TD but Carlton Davis intercepted Stroud for the second time. Once again, Goff gave it right back to Houston and threw an interception.
Early in the fourth quarter, Goff hit St. Brown for a five-yard receiving TD to make it 23-20 Houston. The Texans would punt once again as they could not do anything in the second half on offense.
This led the Lions to drive but stall, which set up Jake Bates’ 58-yard field goal attempt to tie the game and he nailed it. This was the longest field goal in Detroit Lions history.
Bates is good from 5⃣8⃣ to tie it up❗️#DETvsHOU | 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/vEH4Gv2h0J
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 11, 2024
Houston drove a bit but stalled. They attempted a 58-yard field goal to take the lead with 1:56 left in the fourth but Ka’imi Fairbairn missed the field goal. Detroit drove a bit and with four seconds left in the game, the Lions set up Jake Bates for a game-winning 52-yard field goal. Jake Bates won the game for the Lions.
JAKE. BATES. CALLED. GAME. #DETvsHOU | 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/fSa4NBaZsP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 11, 2024
Implications For Each Team After Wild Sunday Night Football Game
This was a wild Sunday Night Football game that will leave a very bad taste in Houston’s mouth.
The Texans are now 6-4 and fourth in the AFC. Luckily for the Texans, they are in a weak division. However, this game was a huge letdown for Houston and it will remain to be seen how they bounce back.
The Houston Texans should still win the AFC South but they are not viewed as much of a threat as they were entering the season. Nico Collins will surely help their offense but Stroud’s confidence after losing the way they did has to take a hit.
On the other side, the Detroit Lions have to feel very good about winning the way they did. Jared Goff had by far the worst game of the season. He threw five interceptions and played horribly. The rush attack, which is one of the best in the league could not get going. Despite all this, the Lions, thanks to clutch kicking from Jake Bates still won the game.
The entire NFC and NFL are on notice that the Lions can overcome anything and still somehow pull off a victory. This game was a massive confidence booster for a team that already had a ton of confidence.
The Detroit Lions shut out the Houston Texans in the second half, indicating they can get it done on offense, defense, and with Jake Bates, special teams. This was a massive win for the Lions and they are the best team in the NFC and a top-two Super Bowl contender.
