Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff passes the ball towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Two groups with expectations past regular-season statements sq. off Sunday night time when the Detroit Lions go to the Houston Texans.
The Lions (7-1) personal the most effective file within the NFC and stand second general within the NFL behind solely the unbeaten Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Houston (6-3) shares the fourth-best mark within the AFC with the Ravens coming into Baltimore’s Thursday night time matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Detroit has ripped off six straight victories and views the Sunday primetime contest as a big midseason check within the highlight.
“That is one we’re trying ahead to,” Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned. “You respect the model of soccer they play with. So this will probably be an excellent matchup.”
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans used a special message in Houston, telling his fees that one recreation is not extra necessary than another.
However solely the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 have found out the right way to slay the Lions.
“This recreation is not extra necessary simply due to the Lions and what they’ve accomplished,” Ryans mentioned. “They’ve performed good soccer, after all, credit score to these guys. They’re enjoying effectively, they’re coached effectively, however that does not change our mindset, how we method each week.
“It is nonetheless the identical each week. Each week — large recreation. And we’re attempting to exit and win this one.”
Houston opened the season with 5 wins in six video games however has slumped by shedding two of its previous three video games.
The final contest was a clunker because the Texans fell 21-13 to the New York Jets on Halloween. Star quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked a season-high eight occasions and accomplished a campaign-worst 36.7 p.c of his throws (11 of 30).
Stroud has handed for fewer than 200 yards in three of the previous 4 video games after exceeding that mark in every of Houston’s first 5 contests.
“There are issues I can get higher at, essentially smart, for certain,” Stroud mentioned. “Simply getting the ball out of my hand and issues like that however finally, I consider it’s simply having enjoyable and being joyful whereas doing it.”
Lions quarterback Jared Goff is coming off his lowest passing-yardage outputs of the season — 85 towards the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 27 and 145 versus the Inexperienced Bay Packers final week. Nonetheless, he has accomplished a minimum of 80 p.c of his passes in three straight video games and 4 occasions general.
Goff feels the Texans will probably be a difficult foe however he is not in the slightest degree fascinated by Detroit being talked about among the many NFL’s prime groups.
“Who cares who thinks we’re any good proper now in Week (10)? It would not matter,” Goff mentioned. “You are simply looking for a technique to stack Ws. I feel you get caught up typically, not simply the dangerous stuff, however with the good things at occasions. It may be harmful.”
The Lions shored up a defensive gap on Tuesday by buying three-time Professional Bowl defensive finish Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. Smith joined Detroit to start preparations for the Texans.
The Lions misplaced star go rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a damaged fibula and tibia in his left leg on Oct. 13.
“I believed that was necessary,” Campbell mentioned of touchdown Smith. “I imply, he is been on this league some time and so they have been really simply occurring their bye week when he obtained the decision from us and every part obtained accomplished, so let him do what he must do, refresh, get again right here Friday.”
Houston standout defensive finish Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) missed follow Wednesday. Becoming a member of him on the sidelines have been defensive ends Derek Barnett (calf/shoulder) and Dylan Horton (sickness), defensive sort out Foley Fatukasi, guard Kenyon Inexperienced (shoulder) and operating again Dameon Pierce (groin).
Detroit carried out a walkthrough Wednesday and two gamers missed it because of accidents — linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) and Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle).
–Discipline Degree Media
