Lions crushed by Texans on Thanksgiving, miserable season continues
The Detroit Lions haven’t won on Thanksgiving since 2016. That continues …
In what has become a recent annual tradition for the Detroit Lions, they were easily handled by the opposition on Thanksgiving Day. Maybe they should be thankful that it was in front of an empty Ford Field this year.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for four touchdowns and the Houston Texans handed the Lions a 41-25 loss on Thursday afternoon. The 4-7 Lions have lost four of their last five contests, each by double digits. They have also dropped four straight Turkey Day games and fell to 1-4 all-time against the Texans.
The Lions met little resistance on their first offensive series and notched a short touchdown run by running back Adrian Peterson for a 7-0 lead. It was Peterson’s first score since Week 6.
However, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt snagged Lions starter Matthew Stafford‘s next pass out of the air and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. A missed extra point cut the Lions’ lead to 7-6. It was Stafford’s third pick-six of the season, the most he’s thrown since 2017.
On the Lions’ next offensive snap, running back Jonathan Williams fumbled his first carry as a Lion. The Texans recovered in Detroit territory and scored moments later on a 2-yard touchdown toss to tailback C.J. Prosise.
Unbelievably, the Lions coughed up the ball for the third consecutive possession when running back Kerryon Johnson fumbled. But they got it right back on the next snap when Prosise was stripped by Lions linebacker Jamie Collins. Peterson helped the Lions capitalize with his second touchdown run for a one-point lead early in the second quarter.
Houston then snagged the lead back on a 33-yard touchdown grab by running back Duke Johnson. A field goal gave them a 23-14 lead at the half, and two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions by wideout Will Fuller put the game away.
Stafford finished 28 of 41 passing for 295 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His fourth-quarter touchdown throw to receiver Mohamed Sanu tied him with Tony Romo for the most all-time on Thanksgiving Day with 18. Watson went 17/25 for 318 yards and four scores.
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Several key Lions players did not suit up due to injury, including receivers Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola, running back D’Andre Swift, and cornerback Jeff Okudah. The Detroit Lions will next play on December 6th at 1:00 p.m. EST, when they travel to face the Chicago Bears.