As we wrap up week 10 of NFL football, one thing is clear: while the Kansas City Chiefs are on fire with their ninth straight win this season—extending their remarkable streak to 16 consecutive victories dating back to last Christmas—my pick for the team to watch is none other than the Detroit Lions. They’re playing with a tenacity that’s hard to ignore.
Under the dynamic leadership of the fearless Dan Campbell, the 8-1 Lions embody his fierce spirit. They exemplify hard work, unwavering grit, and a deep devotion to the game of football. With every snap, they bring relentless energy and maximum effort, making each moment on the field a true testament to their passion and determination. All of those character traits were on display in their last game.
Recently, the Lions faced off against the Texans in Houston, the nation’s party capital, and despite delivering a lackluster performance, they somehow managed to claim a stunning victory. Detroit played in the party city, and on their first play from scrimmage, they looked like they were recovering from a massive hangover. Lion’s quarterback Jared Goff, who went into the game with a league-high 74.9 percent completion rating and needing to complete his first pass to reach a record-breaking 75 percent for 2024, threw a dud on his first pass. Goff, the same player who finished a game completing 18-of-18 of his passes, opened the game by throwing his first pass in the dirt. In addition to the terrible, Goff, who hadn’t thrown an interception in five games and entered Sunday with just four all season, finished the game with five picks, the most by an NFL player since Jameis Winston threw five on Oct. 13, 2019, for Tampa Bay against the Carolina Panthers. Three of those interceptions from Goff came in the first half when the Lions Detroit trailed 23-7 at halftime.
Despite facing numerous challenges, the Lions staged a thrilling comeback in the second half, ultimately seizing victory. In an impressive display of defensive prowess, the team managed to shut out the Texans, preventing them from scoring any points in the second half. Meanwhile, the offense found its rhythm, accumulating 19 points. A significant highlight was the fourth quarter, during which the team erupted for 13 of those points, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. The Lions secured their victory with a 52-yard field goal and improved their winning streak to seven games. Goff finished with 240 yards and two touchdowns and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 71 yards. The Lions became the first team to win despite throwing five or more interceptions since Atlanta beat Arizona 23-19 on November 18, 2012, when Matt Ryan was intercepted five times.
Coach Campbell spoke about his team’s resilient attitude after the game. “That was a hard-fought game,” Campbell said. “We had to fight our way back in there. I’m proud of the guys. There are things we’ve got to clean up, but our guys wouldn’t go away. They just wouldn’t go away.”
He also spoke about his quarterback’s five picks.
“There’s just these little circumstances that come into play so for me, I’m not going to tell him anything,” Campbell said. “These weren’t ill-advised throws, it just wasn’t our day.”
Even with Goff’s inconsistent performance, his confidence shone through during the game.
“I had some unfortunate things early, but I’ve been through a whole lot worse than that,” Goff said. “Mentally, I’ve been to the bottom. Some unlucky plays aren’t going to throw me off my game.”
The Detroit Lions have become a team that many fans genuinely enjoy watching and rooting for. They’re well-balanced on offense and defense. They play with much energy and determination. They put up impressive scores and they aren’t afraid to take risks. After years of being seen as underdogs in the NFL, this Lions team has truly resonated with so many people, capturing hearts and hopes. However, it’s clear that other teams are still keen to challenge their progress.
While there may not be moral victories in sports, it’s worth recognizing that the Texans showcased their resilience and determination even in defeat. Their performance served as a strong reminder to the NFL about their capabilities. If anyone is looking for a way to slow down the Lions’ explosive offense, the Texans certainly provided a compelling example of how it can be done.
From the Texans’ perspective, a key takeaway from the game is that they successfully halted the Lions’ efforts for big plays during the first half. This defensive strategy proved effective in limiting the Lions’ scoring opportunities. Things went downhill in the second half, that could be the result of the Texans not having their top two receivers. It could be because C.J. Stroud struggled in the second half. Even though the Texan’s quarterback threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, he also threw two interceptions in the second half only.
Stroud accepted complete responsibility for his disappointing performance, asserting that the defeat rests squarely on his shoulders.
“I blame this game on me,” Stroud said. “I’ve got to be better in those moments. When the defense is getting turnovers like they did, we’ve got to be able to reward them with points.”
In addition to Stroud’s second-half meltdown, the Texans missed an opportunity to take the lead with the lead with just under two minutes left, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 58-yard try was wide left. Houston’s head coach DeMeco Ryans said the loss comes from his team not making winning plays.
“We didn’t make the plays to win the game … to win games guys have to step up and make plays and that’s not happening,” Ryans said.
The Texans had a golden opportunity but ultimately let the game slip away in crucial moments. However, any other team that observed this matchup likely took notes, recognizing the strategies and weaknesses that could be exploited to defeat the Lions. The game showcased specific vulnerabilities in the Lions’ defense and highlighted potential approaches that could give future opponents an edge. Will that happen? Only time will tell, but as of right now, it’s Detroit vs. Everybody in the NFL.
