Detroit Lions hosted Houston Texans at Ford Field for the exhibition season finale on Saturday. The Texans emerged victorious in a 26-7 victory over a Lions team that was essentially uninspired. The following is the methodology by which the two teams arrived at the final score.
First half
The initial half of the season was primarily characterized by position battles for both Houston and Detroit, as neither team decided to feature any players who could be considered significant to the regular-season outcomes on offense or defense. And the Texans prevailed in the conflict and a majority of the battles.
Trevor Nowaske and Myles Adams were both highly engaged in the Lions’ run defense during Houston’s initial drive. The Texans concluded a lengthy drive with a 53-yard field goal from Kaimi Fairbairn, but only after a false start on fourth-and-short compelled Houston to kick.
On a remarkable 10-play, 85-yard scoring drive, Detroit secured the lead. Kyle Allen connected with Isaac TeSlaa from 33 yards out for the touchdown, concluding a drive that included a clutch catch by Tom Kennedy, impressive rushes from Craig Reynolds and Jacob Saylors.
The drive that concluded Allen’s tenure as quarterback resulted in five of Detroit’s six first downs in the opening half. Hendon Hooker subsequently entered the game, and the Lions experienced a three-and-out on both possessions, leaving him with limited opportunities to contribute beyond a well-executed checkdown completion.
Those deficiencies were not present in Houston’s offense. Graham Mertz, the third-ranked quarterback, had an exceptional day, guiding Houston to two touchdowns and a field goal on four drives. This performance secured a 16-7 lead for Houston at halftime.
Kedon Slovis and Daniel Jackson combine to extend the @HoustonTexans‘ lead 🙌
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/fhxKuIFt3N
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
The half concluded with Mertz completing 14 of 16 passes, resulting in 145 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was a stunning pass to former Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who was well-covered by D.J. Miller but managed to secure the contested catch and score the touchdown. Mertz was also aided by a robust run game, which saw six distinct runs accumulate at least six yards. The Detroit defensive front, which was predominantly occupied by players who were competing for depth roster positions, lost an excessive number of battles to the Texans’ second-team offensive line.
The only two instances in which he encountered any significant pressure were the final two plays of the half, which led to a rushed incompletion enforced by Nate Lynn and a half-ending sack from Al-Quadin Muhammad.
I have failed myself by not taking Isaac TeSlaa seriously enough.
TD vs press into an elite worm. He is him. pic.twitter.com/inJV8WsgXw
— Al Calo (@Calo_Football) August 23, 2025
Second half Houston initiated the second half with a successful drive that was ultimately halted by two offensive infractions. Fairbairn, who had been one of the NFL’s most proficient kickers for an extended period, failed to convert the 36-yard field goal. Detroit responded with an anemic 3-and-out that was doomed from the outset due to a blatant holding penalty on RG Zack Johnson.
The Lions defense capitalized on a fortunate ricochet during Houston’s subsequent drive, as UDFA CB Tyson Russell intercepted a Kedon Slovis pass that Cephus bobbled and effectively passed to No. 35 after initially outpacing him in coverage. Regrettably, Hooker flung the ball directly to Jalen Mills on the very next play, overshooting a double-covered Lions wideout.
Slovis and the Texans capitalized on the opportunity in four plays, accumulating 28 yards. A simple touchdown pass from Slovis to Daniel Jackson was the result of a botched assignment or a blown coverage communication.
Hooker subsequently failed to connect on a fourth-down pass, bringing an end to a drive that featured the only genuine positive play, a 25-yard scramble by the third-string quarterback on a play in which no one appeared open down the field. Houston elected to execute an additional Fairbairn field goal, this time from a distance of 48 yards.
On fourth down, Detroit’s final drive concluded with Hooker being sacked due to inadequate pass protection. In order to conclude the preseason, Houston exhausted the clock.
Detroit executed only 38 offensive plays during the afternoon, while the Texans achieved 28 first downs to Detroit’s nine. The duration of possession was also more than doubled by Houston.
The personnel cutdowns for both teams are now due by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
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