Lions Face Tough Test in Houston: Can Detroit Extend Their Winning Streak Against the Resilient Texans?

The Detroit Lions head into Sunday Night Football as one of the NFL’s most dominant teams this season, carrying a six-game winning streak and consistently high-scoring offense. Currently sitting at 8-1, Detroit is out to prove their Super Bowl potential in a primetime matchup against the Houston Texans, a team looking to bounce back and secure a critical home win. Most sportsbooks list the Lions as 3.5-point favorites, a nod to their recent form and offensive firepower.

Detroit’s offensive success has been largely driven by quarterback Jared Goff, who’s been among the league’s most efficient passers since Week 3. Leading in key metrics like EPA (Expected Points Added) per play and completion percentage above expected, Goff has guided the Lions to rank in the top three for both passing and rushing efficiency. His skillful execution has been supported by an elite offensive line that’s effectively neutralized opposing pass rushes, positioning Detroit’s offense as one of the toughest to stop.

In addition to their stellar offense, Detroit has managed to maintain a strong defense despite the season-ending injury of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions addressed this loss by trading for veteran DE Za'Darius Smith, adding valuable depth and experience to their defensive front. Even with recent personnel changes, Detroit’s defense has shown resilience, particularly in containing the run and limiting explosive plays. They’ll need to continue that effort against a Texans team hoping to get back to full strength with the potential return of WR Nico Collins and several key defensive starters.

Houston, meanwhile, has seen mixed results over the past few weeks. While their defense has been consistently strong, ranking top seven in EPA per play allowed, their offense has struggled at times. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has shown flashes of promise but is adjusting to playing without key target Stefon Diggs, who was recently lost for the season. The anticipated return of Nico Collins could be a game-changer for the Texans' offense, giving Stroud a reliable target downfield. In the early weeks of the season, Houston’s offense performed at an above-average level in dropback EPA, but they’ve slipped since losing Collins and Diggs, ranking outside the top 20 in recent weeks.

Both teams will be looking for a statement win. The Texans hope to leverage their defensive stability and rest advantage from last week’s Thursday game to disrupt Detroit’s rhythm. Houston’s defense has been particularly effective on a down-to-down basis, ranking first in success rate allowed, third on dropbacks, and sixth against the run. However, they’ll need to contain Goff’s high-powered offense while ensuring they don’t allow the explosive plays that have occasionally hurt them in the run game.

For Detroit, this game will be a test of their road dominance and their ability to maintain efficiency against a top-tier defense. With WR Jameson Williams’ suspension lifted, the Lions have added yet another weapon, although his availability for Sunday remains uncertain.

Ultimately, this game promises to be a close contest between two hungry teams. While the Lions’ offensive firepower and improved defense make them favorites, Houston’s rest advantage and defensive resilience give them a solid chance to keep it competitive. Look for Detroit to try to take control early and challenge Houston’s ability to keep pace.