The Detroit Lions snatched a thrilling 26-23 comeback victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football. It improves Detroit’s record to 8-1. But it took work. The Lons fell into a 23-7 hole at half-time, and it felt like the game was over. However, Dan Campbell’s team displayed incredible grit and resilience to fight back and earn the road victory. Here are our major takeaways from Sunday’s game.
Aaron Glenn’s Defense Came To Play
Aaron Glenn has been criticized for much of his tenure as defensive coordinator. Old failings against mobile quarterbacks, a lack of a pass rush, and predictable man coverage calls have caused many to question Glenn’s capability as a coordinator.
On his return home, Glenn enjoyed a definitive laugh over the critics. While the Detroit Lions’ offense turned the ball over and struggled to get the run game going, the defense fought hard. Despite being on the back foot in the first half, Detroit’s defense kept the scoreboard in reach before going to work after half-time.
After the game, Brian Branch told Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy that Glenn instructed the defense not to give anything up in the second half. The defense responded with a gritty, uncompromising performance.
Carlton Davis jumped on an out route to intercept CJ Stroud. While the Lions did not capitalize on that interception, Davis made another game-altering play.
The Texans used a dropkick concept, with Tank Dell running a corner route and another player running a crosser underneath. Kerby Joseph rolled down to take the crosser, leaving Dell free space to run his corner route. He was wide open. Texans fans begged Stroud to throw, and he did. It was a wobbly duck, and Davis sprinted from the backside to undercut the ball and pick it off in the end zone.
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Here’s the Carlton Davis interception of C.J. Stroud in end zone on late pass underthrown with Tank Dell wide open. It’s one Stroud wishes he could have back @KPRC2— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 11, 2024
Davis’ contribution was massive. As was Brian Branch’s. The Alabama product was everywhere, tallying ten tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass deflections and one quarterback hit. Branch was exceptional defending the run and the pass. He excelled in coverage.
As Branch and Davis made plays in the secondary, Detroit’s front seven shackled Houston running back Joe Mixon. The Lions held Mixon to 46 yards on 25 carries. Mixon came into the game in red-hot form, rushing for over 100 yards in several games.
Josh Paschal, Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, James Houston, Pat O’Connor and Mekhi Wingo fought hard all game to win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Houston’s second-half drives ended with two interceptions, four punts, and a missed field goal. Based on success rate, Detroit’s defensive performance ranked second amongst all teams ahead of Monday Night Football.
It was a magnificent, rugged, combative defensive performance.
Winning in Clutch Moments
Detroit’s offensive performance on Sunday night was not good. The offensive line toiled in the face of pressure during the first half and struggled to run the ball. Jared Goff looked scatter-brained, while Ben Johnson’s playcalling left a lot to be desired.
But in the fourth quarter, the Lions managed to hunker down and play near their best. Goff was six of eight on passes against zone coverage for 79 yards and a touchdown, per Next Gen Stats.
Moreover, Goff was three of four on play-action passes in the fourth quarter, tallying 50 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, coordinator Ben Johnson managed to spring Jahmyr Gibbs free on several runs and used the screen game to generate big plays for Gibbs and David Montgomery.
On an off day, the Detroit Lions found their good stuff when it mattered most. That is a big positive.
Jake Bates Makes History
Per Opta Stats, kicker Jake Bates became the first NFL kicker to make a 55+ yard game-tying field goal and then nail a 50+ yard game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter of the same game.
Bates struck both kicks like line-drive base hits. Both were pure strikes, grazing the uprights on the way through. The Lions came into the season with questions at kicker. Through ten weeks, Bates has made some significant kicks. The former Michigan Panther is making the kicker job his own.