Regardless of 5 interceptions from quarterback Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to knock off the Houston Texans 26-23 on “Sunday Evening Soccer.”
Listed here are 5 takeaways from Sunday’s nightcap.
Lions escape, win seventh-straight with walk-off area purpose
On an evening the Lions didn’t play nicely, they discovered a technique to come out on prime courtesy of two Jake Bates area targets within the last 5 minutes.
Whereas Bates’ 58-yarder tied the sport at 23, he gained the sport for Detroit with a walk-off 52-yard area purpose as time expired.
If the remainder of the league was not already on discover, the Lions are going to be a tough out, particularly if they’ll overcome a five-interception recreation. Whereas their win was ugly, the Lions are nonetheless atop the NFC and look to be critical contenders going ahead if they’ll play clear soccer.
Jared Goff has brutal recreation in win
Sunday night time didn’t go nice for Goff. It began on the Lions opening drive when Goff was picked off by Jimmie Ward.
Goff’s fourth interception got here within the third quarter when Kamari Lassiter recorded his second interception of the night time.
Coming into the sport, Goff had 4 video games wherein he accomplished no less than 80% of his throws, together with a 100% completion efficiency (18-18) in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30.
With solely 4 interceptions all season previous to Sunday night time’s recreation, it’s protected to say this was not considered one of Goff’s higher outings.
Texans want WR Nico Collins again in the event that they wish to contend
Regardless of main by as many as 16 factors on the half, the Texans left quite a bit on the desk. Whereas quarterback C.J. Stroud’s numbers have been extra respectable than his completion proportion in opposition to the Packers (47.6) and Jets (36.7), he was nonetheless intercepted twice.
A kind of picks got here within the third quarter because the Texans have been driving. Houston appeared to have a landing till Carlton Davis got here down with the top zone interception.
Whereas it seemed like there could also be an opportunity of Collins (hamstring) returning to the sphere for the primary time since Oct. 6, Collins was dominated inactive shortly earlier than Sunday’s recreation.
In his restricted begins, Collins leads the staff in receiving yards (567) and is tied for the staff lead in landing catches (three). If the Texans wish to be contenders, getting Collins again as quickly as potential is a should.
Each groups mix for seven interceptions
You learn that proper. Every staff mixed for seven interceptions within the recreation, with Goff throwing 5 and Stroud with two. According to Professional Soccer Reference, essentially the most interceptions ever thrown in an NFL recreation is Jim Hardy’s eight from 1950.
Whereas neither quarterback reached that mark, each had terrible nights throwing the ball. Goff’s 5 interceptions on Sunday have been greater than he had thrown your complete season coming into the sport. Although Stroud has not been environment friendly throwing the ball, he had solely thrown 4 interceptions all season, making each QB’s efficiency uncharacteristic.
John Metchie III steps up, information first NFL TD
With the Texans depleted on the broad receiver place, Metchie’s efficiency on Sunday night time was a welcome sight. Coming into the sport with simply 4 catches for 36 yards, Metchie had 5 catches for 74 yards and his first profession NFL TD.
That is a tremendous story contemplating Metchie missed his whole rookie season because of his leukemia prognosis in 2022.
On an evening of turnovers and sloppy play, Metchie’s efficiency was a shiny spot not just for the staff, however for himself after a troublesome previous few years.
With a lot inconsistency from the Texans, Metchie might proceed to be considered one of Stroud’s prime targets because the season progresses, particularly if he performs like he did on Sunday night time.
