Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 21, 2012 (edited) http://hosted.stats....8&home=8&vis=34 (AP) -- Following an uncharacteristic performance, the Houston Texans' defense won't have much time to prepare for another challenge. The Detroit Lions own of one of the league's most prolific offenses, but history isn't on their side. The AFC-leading Texans try to extend their four-game win streak when they play a Lions team trying to win its first Thanksgiving Day game in nine years. Houston (9-1) ranks among the NFL's best defenses with 18.0 points and 299.2 yards allowed per game, but struggled to contain woeful Jacksonville in a 43-37 overtime victory Sunday. The Texans, who hadn't allowed a touchdown in their previous two games, needed record-setting performances from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to help them rally from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Schaub passed for 527 yards, tied for the second-most in an NFL game, and a franchise-best five touchdowns. Johnson posted career highs of 14 receptions and 273 yards - the most in the league since 2000 - and scored the winning touchdown in the extra period. The Texans, though, also gave up a season-high 458 yards with Jacksonville's backup quarterback Chad Henne throwing for 354. "We obviously didn't play up to our standard," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We gave up big plays. We had a few assignment issues, which is unusual for us. That's something we've got to fix." Houston might have another test against the Lions, who rank second in the league with 401.7 yards per game. Those efforts, though, haven't translated into many wins. Detroit (4-6) is coming off Sunday's 24-20 loss to visiting Green Bay, its fifth defeat by eight points or fewer. Matthew Stafford completed a season-low 43.6 percent of his passes (17 of 39) and one of his two interceptions was returned for a touchdown. The Lions, who have lost eight in a row on Thanksgiving since beating Green Bay in 2003, had four turnovers in all, bringing their season total to 18. "Obviously I have to play better to give us a chance to win," Stafford said. Stafford finished with 266 yards with five passes to Calvin Johnson accounting for 143. Johnson has 24 catches for 479 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his three games this month and might not have to face Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph in this one. Joseph had to leave Sunday with a hamstring injury and he's expected to be a game-time decision for Thursday's visit to Ford Field. "He's got a strain, but it's a slight strain," Kubiak said. "It's just (dependent on) how he reacts to it." The Texans won't have to worry about covering Titus Young as he's being benched for what Detroit coach Jim Schwartz deemed as "unacceptable behavior" in Sunday's loss. "He's been a distraction the last few weeks whether just not being fully prepared or not showing up to things when we have things on the schedule - him not being there on time," Calvin Johnson said. "It's just him not being a professional." Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus, who has started 186 consecutive games, might have to sit out due to a hamstring injury, and first-round draft pick Riley Reiff could take his spot. The Lions, though, might get safety Louis Delmas back from a knee injury, which he suffered in a 28-24 win over Seattle on Oct. 28. "There's nothing like having the leader or your defense, a guy who is literally the heart and soul of our defense, and a guy that's been experienced and played well in our defense," Schwartz told the team's website. The Texans, meanwhile, are hoping to take some of the rushing load away from Arian Foster by getting Ben Tate back from an ailing hamstring. Foster's 949 yards rank fourth in the NFL, but he has a league-high 249 carries - 37 more than Seattle's Marshawn Lynch in second place. "I think (Tate) has a good chance (of playing)," Kubiak said. While seeking to match its franchise-best win total from a year ago, Houston will also try for its first victory in Detroit. The Texans lost 28-16 there during their only visit in 2004, but prevailed 28-21 over the Lions four years later. Schaub threw a pair of touchdowns to Owen Daniels and completed 26 of 31 passes for 267 yards in that victory. Megatron gonna go ham on Turkey Day. Edited November 28, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 21, 2012 Megatron vs. Andre Johnson, the matchup we've all been waiting for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 21, 2012 31 17 Detroit is having their step backward year, but look for them to really hit the scene in 2013. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 22, 2012 Texans D has a respectable performance helping them get this Turkey Day victory. 23 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted November 22, 2012 38 20 Lions getting their asses kicked on Thanksgiving... a tradition unlike any other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 22, 2012 Lions declared CB Jacob Lacey (foot) inactive for Thursday's game against the Texans. Drayton Florence draws the start in place of Lacey. The Lions do get a boost as S Louis Delmas, the heart and soul of their defense, will play through his knee woes. As earlier reported, Jeff Backus (hamstring) is inactive, giving rookie Riley Reiff the start on Matthew Stafford's blind side. Also inactive for the Lions are WR Titus Young, QB Kellen Moore, DT Corey Williams (knee), OT Corey Hilliard and DE Ronnell Lewis. Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter Texans declared CB Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) inactive for Thursday's game against the Lions. It's a major blow to a Texans secondary that gave up 354 yards and four touchdowns to Chad Henne last week. Look for burnable No. 2 corner Kareem Jackson to see a lot of time on Calvin Johnson and get exploited while fill-in Alan Ball lines up on the other side. The Texans will also be without backup RB Ben Tate (hamstring), LB Tim Dobbins (shoulder) and NT Shaun Cody (back). Their other inactives are WR DeVier Posey (knee), OT Andrew Gardner and G Cody White. Ryan Broyles will start Thursday's game against the Texans in place of Titus Young (suspended). Earlier in the week, the Lions hinted that Mike Thomas would start in Young's spot and Broyles would stick in the slot. They've wisely had a change of heart. Broyles has much more rapport with Matthew Stafford than the newly acquired Thomas and projects to get more separation. He'll likely play nearly every down against the Texans' banged-up secondary and can be considered a desperation PPR play. Thomas is not a real fantasy option. Source: Anwar Richardson on Twitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 22, 2012 Texans should explode with Backus out. JJ Watt should have a monster day, and if he doesn't, cross him off the DPOTY lists. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 JJ is out? Fuck yea, Megatron should go off for my fantasy team then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted November 22, 2012 JJ Watt is a beast. First play is a sack, lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 22, 2012 Stafford looks ewwww. Very inaccurate right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 Lions coming out strong. Score a TD on their opening drive and force the Texans to go 3 and out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 lol at Suh kicking Schaub in the balls. Another 3 and out for Houston. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 22, 2012 Both offenses look pretty out of sync. Lions had a fluke TD... lmao Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 Another 3 and out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 22, 2012 Flubbed the review on the kick, IMO.. Yikes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 The refs screw over the Lions and the Texans still can't take advantage. 5 three and outs in a row now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 22, 2012 Who is the dirtiest player in the league? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 Yea, that looked intentional. He should at least be getting a nice fine for that one, if not a suspension. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 22, 2012 (edited) N'stompakin suh shows up again? lol Edited November 22, 2012 by BayAreaBomber 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 Damned Stafford. Him and Megatron had a miscommunication. Hanson coming on for the FG. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 22, 2012 Texans score a TD even though Forsett was clearly down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted November 22, 2012 Dumb league rule, and Bulls on Parade isn't so intimidating anymore by letting the Lions run game penetrate them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 22, 2012 Texans are lucky as fuck. They shouldn't even have been in the game, yet alone win it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
