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 below are 5 takeaways from Sunday’s nightcap.
Lions escape, win seventh-straight with walk-off area aim
On an evening the Lions didn’t play nicely, they discovered a option to come out on high courtesy of two Jake Bates area targets within the last 5 minutes.
Whereas Bates’ 58-yarder tied the sport at 23, he received the sport for Detroit with a walk-off 52-yard area aim 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 severe contenders going ahead if they’ll play clear soccer.
Jared Goff has brutal recreation in win
Sunday evening 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 evening.
Coming into the sport, Goff had 4 video games by which he accomplished at the very least 80% of his throws, together with a 100% completion efficiency (18-18) towards the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30.
With solely 4 interceptions all season previous to Sunday evening’s recreation, it’s secure to say this was not one in every of Goff’s higher outings.
Texans want WR Nico Collins again in the event that they need to contend
Regardless of main by as many as 16 factors on the half, the Texans left lots on the desk. Whereas quarterback C.J. Stroud’s numbers had been extra respectable than his completion share towards the Packers (47.6) and Jets (36.7), he was nonetheless intercepted twice.
A type of picks got here within the third quarter because the Texans had been driving. Houston appeared to have a landing till Carlton Davis got here down with the top zone interception.
Whereas it appeared 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 group in receiving yards (567) and is tied for the group lead in landing catches (three). If the Texans need to be contenders, getting Collins again as quickly as potential is a should.
Each groups mix for seven interceptions
You learn that proper. Every group mixed for seven interceptions within the recreation, with Goff throwing 5 and Stroud with two. In line with 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 had been greater than he had thrown all the season coming into the sport. Despite the fact that 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 extensive receiver place, Metchie’s efficiency on Sunday evening 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 total rookie season resulting from his leukemia prognosis in 2022.
On an evening of turnovers and sloppy play, Metchie’s efficiency was a brilliant spot not just for the group, however for himself after a troublesome previous few years.
With a lot inconsistency from the Texans, Metchie may proceed to be one in every of Stroud’s high targets because the season progresses, particularly if he performs like he did on Sunday evening.
