The Detroit Lions hit the road again this week, once more in front of a national audience, to face the 6-3 Texans in Houston on Sunday Night Football. This game pits two playoff winners from last year, both hoping to solidify their place in their respective conferences in 2024.
Here are five key elements to watch in tonight’s game:
1. Can Detroit’s offense maintain its momentum against Houston’s impressive defense?
Detroit’s league-leading scoring offense (32.3 points per game) faces another challenging test against a very solid Houston defense.
“They’ve got talent everywhere right now, and their scheme seems to elevate some of their guys up front,” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said this week. “They are just relentless off the football.
“As an example, on 3rd & 7-10 this week, I’ve got, say, 27 clips on my cut up, only three conversions, and eight sacks. I really haven’t seen anything like it; they’re doing a phenomenal job, not just on third down, but throughout. This is a team that thrives on creating negative plays, and it all starts up front.”
The Texans rank second in total defense (281.7), third against the pass (167.4), first in yards per play allowed (4.92), second in tackles for loss (59), fourth in sacks (29.0), and second in passes defended (49).
With quarterback Jared Goff playing some of his best football, the Lions’ offense is on a roll. Can they sustain it against Houston’s defense?
2. Improving the pass rush
Detroit failed to sack Green Bay’s Jordan Love last week and only hit him twice.
Although they hurried Love 16 times, led by Alim McNeill’s six hurries, sacks are often drive stoppers. Last season, offenses scored a touchdown only 7.6 percent of the time when taking a sack on a drive.
Detroit can’t afford to give Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud the time they allowed Love last week. It’s uncertain if new DL Za’Darius Smith will play tonight; Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the decision wasn’t finalized by Friday, Smith’s first day with the team after receiving a few days off post-trade.
The good news is Josh Paschal is expected back after missing two games. The Texans have struggled to protect Stroud all season, allowing 31 sacks, the second most in the NFL, and coming off a loss to the Jets where they gave up eight sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
3. The takeaway tandem
“Start with (Brian) Branch and (Kerby) Joseph as a tandem; they’re probably the two best safeties in the league,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said this week on Texans radio. “Branch alone is one of the league’s best players; he does so many things very well.”
Detroit fans aren’t the only ones who think Joseph and Branch form the NFL’s best safety duo. Joseph, tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions, and Branch, who has four picks and leads the team with 11 passes defended, make a versatile and aggressive tandem.
Their adaptability lets defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn play aggressive man coverage, knowing they can both cover, blitz, and handle deep zones. Either Joseph or Branch has recorded an interception in every Lions game this season. Will they keep that streak alive tonight?
4. Managing the environment
Last week, Detroit did a great job handling Green Bay’s weather. Tonight, they face a new challenge as Houston’s NRG Stadium is expected to be lively, with the Texans (6-3) wearing “Battle Red” uniforms for this prime-time game.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Detroit’s toughness, physicality, and playing style, challenging his team to match it.
“If we want to show people who we are, let’s go do it this week,” Ryans said.
5. Ground game dominance
Detroit’s ground game has surpassed 100 yards and scored a touchdown in every game this season. Their 14 rushing touchdowns trail only Washington’s (15).
In their first eight games, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs each topped 625 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns, marking the first time teammates have achieved this since 1960 (Green Bay’s Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor).
Rotating each series, Montgomery and Gibbs stay fresh, allowing Detroit’s run game to strengthen as the game progresses. Averaging over 150 rushing yards per game (152.6), the Lions look to keep Houston’s pass rush (29.0 sacks) in check tonight by maintaining ground dominance.
