HOUSTON — — Jake Bates made a 52-yard field goal as time expired, and the Detroit Lions overcame a career-high five interceptions from Jared Goff to rally for a 26-23 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday night.

The Lions improved to 8-1 for the first time since 1954 with their seventh straight win overall and fifth in a row.

Detroit trailed 23-7 at halftime after Goff threw three interceptions in the first two quarters, and he threw two more picks in the third. Nevertheless, the Lions scored 16 straight points to tie the score with about five minutes remaining on Bates’ 58-yard field goal.

The Texans (6-4) had a chance to take the lead with just under two minutes left, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 58-yard attempt went wide left.

The Lions became the first team to win when they threw five or more interceptions since Atlanta defeated Arizona 23-19 on November 18, 2012, when Matt Ryan was picked off five times.

David Montgomery ran for a 3-yard touchdown early in the third, but his run on the 2-point conversion attempt was stopped, leaving the Lions down 23-13. A 9-yard touchdown by Amon-Ra St. Brown pulled Detroit within 23-20 early in the fourth quarter.

Goff threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 71 yards.

C.J. Stroud threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, but he threw two interceptions in the second half as the Texans were shut out after intermission and lost for the third time in four games.

Goff’s five picks were the most by an NFL player since Jameis Winston threw five for Tampa Bay against Carolina on Oct. 13, 2019.

Goff had not thrown an interception in five games and entered Sunday having played just four all season. His previous career high was four in a loss to Chicago at the Rams on December 9, 2018.

Rookie Kamari Lassiter led the Texans with two interceptions while setting a franchise record for picks.

Jimmie Ward intercepted Goff during Detroit’s first drive on a ball tipped by Jalen Pitre to give Houston the ball at the Detroit 33. The Texans made it 7–0 when Joe Mixon ran 8 yards for a touchdown.

A 34-yard field goal by Fairbairn extended the lead to 10-0 with about two minutes left in the first quarter. Detroit cut the lead to 10-7 on a 20-yard touchdown reception by Sam LaPorta.

The Texans were up by six when Denico Autry hit Goff’s arm while throwing and the ball fell into the hands of Henry To’oTo’o to give Houston possession at the Detroit 36.

But the Texans couldn’t move the ball after that, settling for Fairbairn’s 29-yard field goal to make it 16-7 with about four minutes left in the first half.

Houston extended the lead to 23-7 when Stroud found John Metchie III for a 15-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left in the second quarter. It was the first career touchdown for Metchie, who missed his entire rookie season in 2022 while being treated for leukemia.

Goff threw his third interception when Lassiter grabbed his desperation throw on the final play of the first half.

Davis intercepted Stroud on the first play of the second half. But Lassiter picked up his second interception of the game three plays later.

After Montgomery’s touchdown, Detroit’s Carlton Davis III jumped in front of Tank Dell in the end zone for his second interception. Goff threw his fifth pick two plays later, but the Texans were unable to capitalize and were forced to punt.

Injuries

Texans: DE Will Anderson Jr. missed the game with an ankle injury. …WR Nico Collins did not play after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday. … Lassiter left in the third quarter with a concussion.

Next

Lions: Host Jacksonville this Sunday.

Texans: Visit Dallas on Monday, November 18.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl