HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s offense reached a new low Sunday night as the Texans lost to the Detroit Lions despite intercepting Jared Goff a franchise-record five times.
The Texans led by 16 at halftime, but gave up 19 unanswered points in the second half, allowing the Lions to escape with a 26-23 victory.
C.J. Stroud was intercepted on two of Houston’s first three possessions of the second half, and the Texans punted on three consecutive drives after the second pick. They still had a chance to take the lead late, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 58-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
Jake Bates’ 52-yard field goal as time expired sent Houston (6-4) to its third loss in four games after a 5-1 start.
“We didn’t play winning football,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We kept driving a lot and didn’t score any points in the second half. To beat such a good football team, we have to be able to keep up the drive. We have to be able to score points. We went backwards way too much.”
Stroud matched a season high with his two interceptions after going without a catch in the previous three games. He was disappointed in himself for not performing better in the second half.
“Defense gets the turnovers as they were, so we have to be able to reward them with points,” he said. “That’s something we didn’t do. I feel like I’m to blame when it comes down to it.”
The Texans routinely found themselves in third-and-long situations against the Lions while struggling to run the ball. Houston managed just 56 yards on Sunday, its second-lowest performance of the season.
“We have to win first and second,” Ryans said. “Too many negative plays first and second. We didn’t run the ball well. … If you don’t play well on first and second, you end up on third and long, and it’s hard to win third and long all the time.
What works
Houston’s five interceptions are the most in the NFL since the Panthers picked off Jameis Winston five times in a win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 14, 2019.
Houston’s rookies led the way on Sunday with Kamari Lassiter, a second-round pick out of Georgia, grabbing two interceptions and Calen Bullock grabbing one. Bullock, a third-round pick out of Southern California, has four interceptions, tied for the most by a rookie this season.
What needs help
The Texans have led at halftime in each of their last four games, but have lost three. Houston has scored just 15 points in the second half of the last four games combined and hasn’t scored a touchdown after halftime in any of them.
Stroud couldn’t put his finger on why they were having trouble after halftime, saying it “seems like it’s different every week.” He believes it is up to him to turn things around.
“The blame is on me,” he said. “I have to be better in those moments.”
Stock up
W. John Metchie III. The third-year player had a career-high 74 yards receiving and scored the first touchdown of his career on a 15-yard grab in the second quarter. Metchie missed his entire rookie season in 2022 as he recovered from leukemia.
“I’m super proud of him and super happy that he’s getting his opportunities and showing his value,” Stroud said.
Stock down
WR Tank Dell had 39 yards receiving a week after having a season high of 126. The Texans need him to play more consistently with star Stefon Diggs out for the season with a knee injury.
Injuries
WR Nico Collins was activated from injured reserve on Saturday but was inactive against the Lions, extending his absence to five games. … DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) did not play. … Lassiter will likely miss the next game after suffering a concussion.
Key number
34 – Stroud was sacked four times, bringing his total to 34, the second-most in the NFL this season.
Next steps
The Texans will get an extra day to prepare and try to right their wrongs before taking on the Dallas Cowboys, who have lost four in a row, next Monday night at state.
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