Sunday night’s primetime showdown between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions was anticipated as a potential Super Bowl preview before the season. While the Lions have lived up to their billing, entering at 7-1 and frequently being touted as one of the NFL's elite, the Texans (6-3) have faced scrutiny despite a winning record. Much of the criticism revolves around offensive struggles, particularly pass protection for quarterback CJ Stroud. Nevertheless, a win at home would not only keep Houston undefeated in their stadium but also reaffirm their preseason contender status. Both teams bring undefeated records into this matchup—the Texans are 4-0 at home, and the Lions are 4-0 on the road. Detroit, riding a six-game winning streak, is eyeing history, seeking to win seven straight for the first time since 2010-11 and within a single season since 1995. For the Texans, head coach DeMeco Ryans and Stroud haven’t lost back-to-back games since early last season, a testament to their resilience. Houston also holds a rest advantage after playing last Thursday against the Jets, while the Lions secured a gritty win in Green Bay’s challenging weather conditions on Sunday. Injury-wise, the Lions have fewer question marks, though both teams have lost key players to season-ending injuries—Detroit’s Aidan Hutchison and Houston’s Stefon Diggs. The Texans, however, could see the return of several impact players, including safety Jimmie Ward, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, corner Jeff Okudah and center/guard Jarrett Patterson, though key contributors like Nico Collins and Will Anderson Jr. are still uncertain for Sunday. Offensive Keys for the Texans 1. Protecting CJ Stroud Protecting CJ Stroud remains the Texans’ top priority, as he’s faced relentless pressure all season. The Texans rank fourth in pressure rate allowed against the blitz (54.0%) and have given up the second-most sacks (15). In addition, the quickness of the pressure has been staggering, with defenders reaching Stroud in just 2.29 seconds on average when blitzed, the seventh-quickest rate in the league. Houston’s offensive line, especially the interior, has struggled to hold up under this pressure, contributing to Stroud’s 41.4% pressure rate—fifth-highest among NFL quarterbacks. Despite these challenges, this matchup offers signs of hope. First, the Lions’ defensive pressure rate sits at 31.2%, ranking just 25th in the league, and their pass rush hasn’t been as potent without star defensive end Aidan Hutchison. Detroit’s lower pressure rate means Stroud may have more time to operate, potentially allowing him to find rhythm and execute plays without the constant threat of collapsing pockets. Moreover, playing at home provides a significant advantage for the Texans’ offensive line, where communication will be clearer without having to contend with a hostile crowd. This will allow the line to coordinate effectively on protection schemes, reducing the chances of miscommunication that have led to snap count issues and missed assignments on the road. At home, the offensive line can also better anticipate the snap count, potentially giving them a slight edge over Detroit’s pass rush. The possible return of center/guard Jarrett Patterson adds another element of optimism. Patterson could play left guard or slide in at center, potentially allowing Juice Scruggs to move to guard. This reconfiguration might help shore up the Texans’ interior, where most of their protection issues have stemmed from. Patterson’s presence should bring stability, improved communication, and better decision-making upfront, as he demonstrated flashes of strong play before his injury. In this context, the Texans’ protection issues, while notable, may be mitigated. With a less disruptive Lions pass rush and the ability to communicate clearly in a supportive home environment, Stroud should have a better foundation to operate from, giving Houston a crucial opportunity to keep their offense moving and make key plays in the passing game. 2. Attacking Man Coverage Opportunities Stroud has excelled against man coverage, generating a +22.0 passing EPA on such dropbacks, the fifth-highest in the NFL. While Stroud faces man coverage at the fourth-lowest rate, Detroit’s defense employs it at the league’s highest rate (45.8%). The Lions allow the third-lowest completion rate (46.3%) in man coverage but struggle against accurate, quick reads. Taking advantage of these one-on-one opportunities will be crucial, especially if the offensive line can buy Stroud a little extra time. 3. Establishing the Ground Game with Joe Mixon A balanced offensive approach will help Houston sustain drives, and Joe Mixon has been a consistent force. Since returning from injury in Week 6, Mixon has rushed for over 100 yards in each game, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards over expected. Detroit’s defense ranks seventh in rushing yards allowed per game, making this a challenging but essential test. If Mixon can continue his recent form, he’ll ease the pressure on Stroud while testing the Lions' defensive stamina. Defensive Keys for the Texans 1. Stop the Run The Lions’ success is grounded in their dominant run game, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who together average 152 rushing yards per game. Montgomery’s tackle-breaking ability, forcing missed tackles on 34.5% of his rushes, and Gibbs' explosive speed (averaging 13.45 mph on rush attempts) are magnified by Detroit’s elite offensive line. Tackling will be critical for Houston; Montgomery and Gibbs have amassed 1,982 yards after contact since 2023, the most among active backfield duos. The Texans have struggled with tackling consistency, posting the second-highest missed tackle rate (15.8%) and allowing 610 yards due to missed tackles, third-most in the NFL. Tightening up this aspect is paramount to limiting Detroit’s early-down success, which often sets up manageable second and third downs. 2. Contain/Cover Amon-Ra St. Brown Lions’ slot receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the league’s best in his role, presents a significant challenge. Last week, the Texans showed vulnerability in slot coverage, with nickel corner Jalen Pitre allowing a few big plays. St. Brown’s ability to exploit mismatches in short-yardage situations means Houston must adapt effectively. To counter St. Brown, the Texans could use safety Jimmie Ward in the slot or rotate Jeff Okudah, if he returns, to CB2 while sliding Kamari Lassiter inside. In known passing downs, cloud coverage over the top could provide additional support, minimizing the chances of St. Brown gaining easy yards. 3. Generate Pressure on Jared Goff With an elite defensive front, Houston’s best path to disrupting Detroit’s passing game lies in pressuring Jared Goff. Danielle Hunter, who leads the league in pressures with 54, has proven his value, particularly with a quick pass-rush get-off of 0.79 seconds. Hunter’s primary matchup against Lions right tackle Penei Sewell will be a key battle to watch; while Sewell has allowed a low pressure rate (6.7%), his time to pressure ranks only 17th among right tackles, leaving room for exploitation. The Texans lead the NFL in pressure rate when not blitzing (40.4%), demonstrating their effectiveness in generating rush with four defenders. Even without blitzing, Houston’s defensive line, anchored by Hunter and bolstered by recent returns like Denico Autry and Jerry Hughes, gives them an edge in the pass rush, which will be essential in keeping Goff uncomfortable. Final Thoughts Sunday night’s matchup is a pivotal one for the Texans. A home win over a top team like the Lions could solidify Houston’s status as a serious playoff contender. To succeed, Houston must rise to the occasion with a balanced offensive attack, disciplined tackling, and sustained pressure on Goff. While the Lions may appear to have the edge on paper, the Texans’ resilience, strategic adjustments, and return of key players provide them with a path to victory in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.