By Roy J. Akers-www.skyviewsports.net
The Detroit Lions looked terrible in the first half of a football game where they were badly outplayed and trailing by sixteen points. In the second half, they scored 19 unanswered points and relied on a rookie kicker Jake Bates that has not missed a field goal all year. He drills a 58-yard field goal to tie the game and a 52-yard field goal to win the game 26-23 over the Houston Texans.
If you think that was crazy, Detroit became the first NFL team to win a football game when their quarterback threw 5 picks in the game. The last time that happened, the Bears and Colts were involved.
The Detroit Lions and Houston Texans are both shorthanded teams with key players sitting out the game. But most coaches tell you they coach the players they have. The Houston defense was manhandled in last weeks loss against the NY Jets. The Detroit first half offense was in the witness protection program and the only consistency was two three and outs and two interceptions sandwiched in the middle by a Sam LaPorta TD grab.
So here we go.
Reports: ZaāDarius Smith is not expected to play Sunday night, Texans expect Tank Dell to play.
First Quarter
Key drive of quarter- Key Drive: Houston Joe Mixon 8 Yd Rush, K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Weeks, Holder- T.Townsend. 8 plays, 33 yards, 5:09
Key Play of Scoring Drive: Houston 13:01 – 1st) (Shotgun) J.Goff pass short right intended for J.Gibbs INTERCEPTED by J.Ward (J.Pitre) at DET 35. Houston 7- Detroit 0.
Detroit looks awful in the first quarter. They are outgained 89 to 46 and commit a turnover and a three and out.
Second Quarter
Detroit- Sam LaPorta Pass From Jared Goff for 20 Yds Jake Bates Made Ex. Pt- 11 plays, 70 yards, 6:17. Key Play. The LaPorta catch. Houston 10- Detroit 7.
First Half Analysis- The Detroit Lions are losing the physicality of the game. Detroit has only 76 yards passing and 21 yards rushing. Houston is gang tackling the Lions on nearly every play. The Texans have two interceptions, five passes defensed and three quarterback hits on Goff. He throws it away on most plays.
Houston- John Metchie III Pass From C.J. Stroud for 15 Yds Ka’imi Fairbairn Made Ex. Pt- 6 plays, 66 yards, 0:42 Key Play-Same Houston 23- Detroit 7.
Goff is picked off to end the half.
Third Quarter
After the Lions Carlton Davis intercepts CJ Stroud, the Lions run a few plays and Goff is intercepted for the fourth time in the game as Kamari Lassiter intercepts a pass intended for LaPorta. Goff came into the game with four interceptions on the season. He has doubled that total tonight.
Detroit scores on their next possession with a 3 yard run by David Montgomery. 3 plays, 44 yards, 1:10 Key Play: a 37 yard sideline catch to Sam LaPorta. Houston 23 Detroit 13. The two point try is no good. Houston 23- Detroit 13.
The Lions Jared Goff has five interceptions. The Texans CJ Stroud has two. The game is very loose and Goff is taking careless shots down the field to give Detroit a chance of a big play instead of several running plays that drain the clock. The problem is the throws are up for grabs. Amon-Ra St. Brown has two catches and Houston has him blanketed.
Fourth Quarter
The Lions run easily their best drive of the game. St. Brown catches a pass in the slot and takes it 9 yards for the score. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox. Key Play- Multiple plays but the Montgomery run for 24 yards taxed the Texans defense. Scoring Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:11 Houston 23- Detroit 20.
The Lions Jake Bates is not your ordinary rookie kicker. He is perfect this season kicking field goals going 13-13. 4th & 11 at HOU 40. (5:01 – 4th) J.Bates 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox. Key Play: 20 yard run by Jahmyr Gibbs running behind Penei Sewell. Houston 23- Detroit 23. Detroit has scored 16 uncontested points.
Three Stars
First Star
Jake Bates- Kicker- Detroit Lions. Bates is a a rookie kicker that booted two 50 yard+ field goals. One to tie the game and another for the win. Jake Bates that has not missed a field goal all year. He drills a 58-yard field goal to tie the game and a 52-yard field goal to win the game 26-23 over the Houston Texans.
Second Star
Penei Sewell- Right Tackle- Sewell sprung both Montgomery and Gibbs for big runs and shorter runs that eventually wore down the Houston defense.
Third Star
The Detroit Lions play against the run was spectacular for most of the night. Quite a few players deserve the credit. The players below were all over the field and made hits on the quarterback and were excellent run stoppers.
Honorable Mention- Carlton Davis- Two Interceptions
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporterĀ and covers several sports forĀ www.skyviewsports.net