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    Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans: The Big Preview

    BettingGameDay
    By Tayyib Abu
    2 min. read

    The Detroit Lions take on the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football. This is your full preview ahead of Detroit’s showdown in Texas.

    When and Where Is This Game?

    The game will be held at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Kick-off is at 8:20 p.m., and it will be broadcast live on NBC. The roof will be open, but weather conditions are set fair.

    Form Guide

    The Texans enter the game well-rested, having played last Thursday. Houston has lost two of its previous three games, but they are undefeated at home.

    The Detroit Lions face another back-to-back road trip. The Lions triumphed in the rain last week and will desperately want another big road win.

    Injury Report

    Detroit’s big injury news is that left-tackle Taylor Decker is out. The Lions’ positive news is that defensive-end Josh Paschal is back. Per Ian Rapaport, Za’Darius Smith is unlikely to play. Smith was due to be on his bye week, and understandably, the Lions are letting him rest. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is also out with an ankle injury.


    In light of those injuries, Detroit has made several roster moves, including putting Jalen Reeves-Maybin on injured reserve.

    The Texans will be without blue-chip defensive-end Will Anderson. He is out due to an ankle injury. However, wide receiver Tank Dell will likely play, while Nico Collins’ status will be a game-time decision.

    Betting Odds

    FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the game like this:

    Detroit Lions

    Spread: -3.5-102

    Moneyline: -178

    Total O: 49.5-115

    Houston Texans

    Spread: +3.5-120

    Moneyline: +150

    Total U: 49.5-105

    What They’ve Said

    Detroit quarterback Jared Goff is aware of the challenges the Texans defense will pose:

    “They’re really good, and they’re well-coached. They remind me of San Francisco, no surprise—back when I was in L.A. in the division, San Francisco when (Texans head coach) DeMeco (Ryans) was there, it was similar. Very good defense and good up front, good at the linebacker position, good at the defensive backs. Well coached, sound, they do a good job.”

    Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has zoned in on Detroit’s run game as a critical part of this game:

    “Two outstanding backs. Both [Lions RB Jahmyr] Gibbs are very explosive home-run runners. And then you’ve got [Lions RB David Montgomery], the other guy who’s tough and physical. And so, both of the guys run hard; they’re physical. I think they have the most yards after contact. They find a way to get yards. And it’s one thing for us, as a defense, we have to do an excellent job of tackling. Talk about a one-two punch, the best one-two punch in the NFL.”

     

     

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