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 perfect report 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 getting 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 major midseason take a look at within the highlight.
“That is one we’re wanting ahead to,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated. “You respect the model of soccer they play with. So this will likely be a great matchup.”
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans used a special message in Houston, telling his expenses that one recreation is not extra essential than every other.
However solely the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 have discovered tips on how to slay the Lions.
“This recreation is not extra essential simply due to the Lions and what they’ve carried out,” Ryans stated. “They’ve performed good soccer, after all, credit score to these guys. They’re enjoying properly, they’re coached properly, however that does not change our mindset, how we strategy each week.
“It is nonetheless the identical each week. Each week — massive 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 dropping 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 instances 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 clever, for positive,” Stroud stated. “Simply getting the ball out of my hand and issues like that however in the end, I imagine 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 no less than 80 p.c of his passes in three straight video games and 4 instances general.
Goff feels the Texans will likely be a difficult foe however he isn’t in the least considering 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 does not matter,” Goff stated. “You are simply looking for a option to stack Ws. I believe you get caught up typically, not simply the unhealthy stuff, however with the good things at instances. 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 assumed that was essential,” Campbell stated of touchdown Smith. “I imply, he is been on this league some time they usually have been truly simply occurring their bye week when he received the decision from us and all the things received carried out, so let him do what he must do, refresh, get again right here Friday.”
Houston standout defensive finish Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) missed observe 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 working again Dameon Pierce (groin).
Detroit carried out a walkthrough Wednesday and two gamers missed it as a result of accidents — linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) and Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle).
–Subject Degree Media
