Lions rally from 16 down, overcome five Goff interceptions, beat Texans on 52-yard, last-second field goal

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Houston — Jared Goff's MVP hopes might have been dashed, but the Detroit Lions' resolve remains unbroken.

Despite a career-worst five interceptions by the Lions quarterback, the team rallied from 16 down at the half to earn their most improbable victory of the season Sunday night, 26-23, over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 58-yard field goal by Jake Bates with five minutes remaining in the frame tied the contest.

Three minutes later, just after the two-minute warning, Texans kicker K'a'imi Fairbairn missed his own try from 58 yards. Taking over just shy of midfield, the Lions worked back into Bates' range and the kicker stayed perfect on the year with a game-winner from 52.

Game ball

A Detroit cornerback hadn’t intercepted a pass through the first nine games, but Carlton Davis III provided two in the third quarter, keeping the team’s hopes afloat. But the ball goes to Bates for his two clutch kicks in the fourth quarter that gave the Lions the win.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 7:46 — Taking over in Detroit territory after an interception, the Texans twice converted third-and-long. On the first, nickel cornerback Amik Robertson was beaten in man coverage by Tank Dell, and on the second, Robertson got caught in no man’s land with his zone assignment when QB C.J. Stroud stepped up in the pocket, giving up a sideline toss to John Metchie that converted a third-and-16 into the red zone. Two snaps later, running back Joe Mixon rolled around the left edge untouched for an 8-yard score. TEXANS 7, LIONS 0

● 2:09 — Again benefitting from strong starting field position after a poor punt and a 17-yard return, the Texans worked it down to the 3-yard line on a well-executed screen pass to Mixon that took advantage of Detroit’s linebacker blitz. But a hold on the ensuing snap quieted the threat, limiting the home team to a 34-yard field goal. TEXANS 10, LIONS 0

Second quarter

● 10:52 — Facing third-and-16 early in the series, Jameson Williams was able to haul in a throw that initially bounced off his hands to extend the drive. Williams added another chain-mover on a third-and-6 a few plays later, setting up a slick play-action pass where the Lions faked a shotgun handoff to Jahmyr Gibbs going left before Goff rolled right and connected with Sam Laporta for a 20-yard score. TEXANS 10, LIONS 7

● 8:25 — The Texans struck quickly in their response, drawing a 41-yard pass interference penalty after Terrion Arnold arrived too early on a deep shot intended for Xavier Hutchinson. They wouldn’t gain another yard — actually losing 3 when Alim McNeill burst through the line to drop Mixon for a loss — setting up a 56-yard field goal for Ka’imi Fairbairn that squeaked across the upright. TEXANS 13, LIONS 7

● 4:07 — Taking over at Detroit’s 35-yard line after Goff’s second interception, the Texans pushed into a first-and-goal situation after a pair of first downs before stalling and settling for a Fairbairn chip shot to push the lead back to two scores. TEXANS 16, LIONS 7

● 0:12 — Taking over at their 34-yard line with 54 seconds remaining, Stroud completed three quick throws for 51 yards. After two incompletions, including a drop by Dell, Metchie beat Arnold, running a post pattern, for a 15-yard touchdown. TEXANS 23, LIONS 7

Third quarter

● 11:34 — After the teams exchanged turnovers to open the second half, the Lions took over in Texans territory when the defense forced a three-and-out. Starting at the 45-yard line, the offense struck quickly with a three-play touchdown drive. The key snap was a 37-yard play-action pass to LaPorta, which set up a 3-yard touchdown run for David Montgomery. Down 10, the Lions opted to go for two, but Montgomery was stopped on the conversion try. TEXANS 23, LIONS 13

Fourth quarter

● 11:38 — After a turnover-filled third quarter, the Lions sliced the deficit to one score with a seven-play touchdown drive. Williams made a difficult catch across the middle, paying the price with a big hit that briefly knocked him from the game. Montgomery followed that up with a 24-yard pickup on a screen that set up first-and-goal. St. Brown did the rest, taking a bubble screen 9 yards across the goal line. TEXANS 23, LIONS 20

● 05:01— Runs of 15 and 20 yards for Gibbs pushed the Lions across midfield, but the Texans proved able to halt the drive. Attempting a 58-yard field goal, Bates snuck it just inside the right upright to tie the game. TEXANS 23, LIONS 23

● 00:00— An 11-yard pass to St. Brown was all the Lions need to move into field-goal range for Bates’ game-winner. LIONS 26, TEXANS 23

Turnovers

● On a second-and-11 snap during Detroit’s game-opening possession, Goff’s flare to the right flat intended for Gibbs was deflected and popped into the air by blitzing safety Jalen Pitre and corralled by Jimmie Ward. It was the QB’s first interception since Week 3.

● In the second quarter, right tackle Penei Sewell was beaten off the edge by Denico Autry. The 285-pound lineman hit Goff as he was trying to throw, leading to a pass that bounced off a second defender at the line of scrimmage before it was hauled in by linebacker Henry To’oTo’o.

● On a Hail Mary try at the end of the first half, Goff’s heave into the end zone came up short of the goal line and was captured by rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

● Throwing on the first snap of the second half, Davis jumped a short pass to Dell, making a diving interception.

● Three plays after Davis’ interception, LaPorta was jammed on a post pattern, disrupting the route and causing Goff to throw it too far in front of his tight end at the goal line. Lassiter was able to snag the errant throw for his second interception of the game.

● With the Texans threatening to respond to a Lions’ touchdown drive in the third quarter, Davis was able to undercut an underthrown deep ball intended for Dell in the end zone to kill the threat.

● Continuing the third-quarter game of hot potato, Goff’s deep shot to Jameson Williams was picked off by safety Calen Bullock, making it a career-high five interceptions for Detroit’s quarterback.

Key stats

● Goff finished 15-for-30 for 240 yards, two touchdowns and the five interceptions.

● LaPorta led the Lions with a season-high 66 receiving yards.

● Gibbs paced the backfield with 71 yards on 19 carries.

● Brian Branch led the defense with 10 tackles, including one for a two, to go with a QB hit and two pass breakups.

Notable

● St. Brown set a new franchise record with a touchdown reception in seven consecutive games.

Injuries

● LaPorta exited with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, and even though he was never ruled out, he didn’t return.

Inactives

Za’Darius Smith’s debut will wait another week as Detroit’s new edge rusher was a healthy scratch.

Also inactive for the Lions were offensive tackle Taylor Decker, guard Christian Mahogany, offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal and safety Loren Strickland.

Decker (shoulder) and Rodriguez (ankle) had been ruled out on Friday due to injuries. Interestingly, practice squad elevation Jamarco Jones got the call to serve as a backup offensive tackle ahead of Sorsdal and Manu.

Next game

The Lions will welcome the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) to Ford Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff next Sunday.