Jake Bates hit a 52-yard field goal as time expired Sunday to help the Detroit Lions beat the Houston Texans 26-23 for their seventh straight win.
The Lions scored the final 19 points of the game after having trailed 23-7 at halftime. Detroit overcame a chaotic performance by quarterback Jared Goff, who threw five interceptions in the win. Goff is just the third quarterback since 1990 to win a game while throwing five interceptions.
C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions of his own for the Texans, and he was also sacked four times.
Goff was picked off on the Lions’ first drive, and Houston responded by scoring a touchdown eight plays later. After a Detroit three-and-out, the Texans added to their lead with a field goal.
The Lions briefly appeared to settle down offensively with an 11-play, 70-yard drive to cut the score to 10-7. But their final four drives of the first half were an interception, a three-and-out, a three-and-out and then one more interception on a Hail Mary attempt.
In that time, Houston added two more field goals and a touchdown. The Texans’ final touchdown was a 15-yard reception by John Metchie, his first career score.
The second half started with the quarterbacks trading interceptions. After a Houston punt, Detroit finally worked down the field for a touchdown to cut the score to 23-13. But then the game ground to a halt. The quarterbacks traded interceptions for a second time before the offenses combined for three straight punts.
The Lions finally restored order with a seven-play, 64-yard drive for a touchdown to make the score 23-20. After another seven-play drive by Detroit to tie the game, Houston had a chance to win late. Stroud led the Texans to the 40-yard line, but Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal that would have given Houston the lead.
The Lions took advantage of the short field, setting up Bates’ game-winner in a few plays.
Detroit improved to 8-1, remaining in first place in the NFC. The Lions will return home to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.
Houston fell to 6-4 with its third defeat in four games. The Texans play the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 18.
