The Detroit Lions stay on the road in Week 10, travelling to Houston for Sunday Night Football. The 6-3 Houston Texans lie in wait for Dan Campbell’s team, making it another challenging road game for the Lions.
The Lions triumphed on the road last week, mastering the elements and the Green Bay Packers. At 7-1, the Lions own the NFC’s best record. But this is the NFL. Things can change quickly.
Detroit must continue to press the gas pedal and bring their best into every game. The Texans are 4-0 at home. The Lions will not have it easy, but they can win. Here’s how.
Run the Ball
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are the ferocious V8 engine that makes the Detroit Lions’ offense tick. The duo provides thunder and lightning, forming a formidable running-back tandem. The Lions will need to unleash them in this game. Per Sumer Sports, the Texans rank 11th in defensive EPA against the run. ESPN ranks Houston fifth in their run-stop-win-rate metric. DeMeco Ryans prides his defense on stopping the run.
Taylor Decker’s absence further exacerbates the Lions’ problem. The veteran left-tackle is out with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear who will replace him. Decker is a critical part of the Detroit Lions’ zone run plays, and his absence may force the Lions to use another tight-end on the field.
Per PFF, the Lions rank 6th overall in two tight-end usage. They are not opposed to having Brock Wright on the field. The Lions must establish a physical, vertical running game and get downhill quickly. Opportunities may arise at the second and third levels if the Lions can pierce Houston’s first level.
The Texans like having their nickel personnel on the field. With smaller bodies at the second and third levels, Detroit’s runners could rumble for extra yardage. And the kicker? The Texans are second in missed tackle percentage this season.
Budding star Will Anderson is out with an ankle injury, so the Texans will be without one of the best run-stuffing defensive ends in the NFL. Establishing the run, playing with physicality, and opening up the playbook are critical for the Detroit Lions. Houston likes to play man coverage on third down. Quarterback Jared Goff is excelling against man coverages this season. If the Lions’ run game keeps getting them into third-and-short situations, they can attack. It all starts with the run.
Stop Joe Mixon
The Texans’ banged-up offensive line has caused significant problems for quarterback CJ Stroud. Houston got more bad news this week as guard Kenyon Green is now on injured reserve. Per Aaron Wilson, the Texans will start Juice Scruggs at left-guard, and have Jarrett Patterson in at center.
With so much turnover on the offensive line, plus injuries to Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, the Texans may look to establish the run game and protect Stroud.
After losing Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and recently Josh Paschal, Detroit’s run-defense has looked shaky. Last Sunday, Josh Jacobs ripped several positive runs in the early stages before Green Bay abandoned the run.
The Detroit Lions cannot afford to let Texans running-back Joe Mixon get loose and alleviate the pressure on Stroud. A big boost for Detroit is Josh Paschal’s return. Paschal is a more than adequate edge setter. Likewise for Za’Darius Smith, although the veteran’s status is questionable. The Lions must play with discipline on the edges, ensuring their linebackers and interior linemen can flow to the ball and attack.
Moreover, eliminating the run game will cause more stress on Houston’s patchwork offensive line. Stroud is a terrific quarterback, but opportunities should arise if the Detroit Lions can erase the run game and force Houston into a dropback passing game.
Interior lineman Alim McNeill is tenth in pass-rush win rate. Since Week 6, McNeill is first amongst interior linemen for quarterback pressures. If the Detroit Lions can force Houston into troubled waters on offense, McNeill will have a license to attack the interior.
Since Week 4, Alim McNeill has 24 QB pressures. That’s tied for 8th in the NFL, and tied for first among DT’s — with Chris Jones.
Za’Darius Smith, by the way, has 23. That’s tied for 13th — with Maxx Crosby. @PFF
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) November 6, 2024
Be Ruthless
This one is simple: the Detroit Lions must cash in and score on their red zone trips. They did that last weekend, and Houston’s red zone defense ranks 30th in drives ending in a touchdown. Ice-cool precision and ruthless efficiency will be the game’s name in the red zone. That is how the Detroit Lions can get another road victory.