The Texans scored on five of their six possessions in the first half, but none was more special than a touchdown that made the game 23-7 at halftime.

John Metchie, who has fought his way back from leukemia, picked up the first TD of his career on a six-play, 66-yard drive with 12 seconds left in the second quarter.

With Stefon Diggs out for the season and Nico Collins still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Metchie has been given a bigger role for Houston – and he has come through. Metchie caught all four of his targets in the first half for 65 yards, including the 15-yard score. He also had a 25-yard reception during the Texans’ two-minute drill.

Quarterback CJ Stroud was at his best late in the first half, lifting Houston to a 16-point halftime lead. After two quarters, Stroud has completed 14 of 20 passes for 164 yards with a touchdown.

While the Lions have shut down the Texans’ run game — Joe Mixon has just 10 yards on 12 carries — Mixon was able to open the scoring with an 8-yard TD run on a jet sweep to limit Houston’s first possession. Mixon also has two catches for 44 yards.

Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn hit field goals of 34, 56 and 29 yards in the first half.

Defensively, Houston has largely kept Detroit in check. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three interceptions in the first half, although the last came on a Hail Mary attempt to end the second period. However, the two choices immediately earned points.

Goff was picked off on a tipped pass to end Detroit’s opening drive. That led to Mixon’s touchdown. Then Goff was hit in the second quarter and the ball was released and picked up without hitting the ground for an interception. That led to Fairbairn’s 29-yard field goal.

The Texans pressured Goff throughout the first half, though they didn’t pick up a sack. Officially, the team has four quarterback hits.

Goff is 7 of 17 for 91 yards with a touchdown – a 20-yard pass to Sam LaPorta – and three picks.

Houston will have a chance to double down as the club gets the second half kickoff.