Dan Campbell has seen a lot as an NFL player and coach.

But he had never seen anything like Sunday evening.

The Lions overcame five interceptions from Jared Goff – one more than he had thrown in the first eight games – and came back to beat the Houston Texans 26-23. At halftime they trailed 23-7.

“The odds of winning a game with five turnovers are very slim,” Campbell said. “This was a total team effort in every phase of the match.”

Kicker Jake Bates made a 58-yard field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter and a 52-yarder to win the game as time expired.

The Lions became the first team since the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 to win despite throwing five interceptions in a game.

Campbell credited the defense, which forced the Texans to make three field goals in the first half before shutting them down in the second.

“That’s so hard for a defense because they keep them out of the end zone and then two plays later they throw an interception and they’re back on the field,” Campbell said. “That was a huge achievement, even before you consider the two takeaways.”

Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis intercepted two passes from C.J. Stroud in the second half, including one on the 3-yard line.

“I told CD on Saturday that he might be our best signing this season,” Campbell said. “How can you not love a cover corner who can run, hit, shut down the running game and make two passes when we needed them?”

What works

The Lions defense dominated the Texans all night. Joe Mixon had an 8-yard touchdown run, but finished with just 46 yards on 25 carries.

“We knew he was the most dangerous offensive player we had to stop,” Campbell said. “He’s such a hard runner and he kept coming after us, but we were able to bottle him up.”

What needs help

Goff had not thrown an interception in his past five games. No one expected him to throw five, but he had three in the first half and two more in the third quarter. He turned the ball over two plays after Davis’ first interception and three plays after his second.

“I honestly didn’t think I played bad,” Goff said. “I saw things well and threw the ball well. I’ve been in much worse positions and I didn’t let a few unfortunate mistakes take me out of my game.”

Despite the two interceptions in the third quarter, Goff went 8-for-13 for 149 yards and a touchdown in the second half.

Stock up

Bates started the year at Ford Field, but for the Michigan Panthers of the UFL. That helped him get the Lions’ attention by making a 64-yard field goal that was negated by a timeout, then making it again.

After a season in which Campbell didn’t trust his kickers in big moments, Bates has become a key part of Detroit’s record start.

Stock down

Jameson Williams had 12 combined receptions and rushing attempts for 228 yards in Detroit’s first two games, making everyone think he had finally arrived as the deep threat the Lions so desperately needed. However, he had just 12 combined receptions and rushing attempts over the next seven games for 218 yards, including one catch for minus-4 yards on October 20 at Minnesota, followed by his two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug regulations . policy.

He had three catches for 53 yards against Houston, but the Lions need him to regain his September form.

Injury report

Tight end Sam LaPorta left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, but Campbell doesn’t think it will be a long-term problem. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker missed the game with a shoulder injury. Campbell said he is hopeful both can return Sunday against Jacksonville.