Dan Campbell has experienced many things as both an NFL player and coach, but nothing like what happened on Sunday night.
The Lions pulled off an incredible comeback to beat the Houston Texans 26-23, despite Jared Goff throwing five interceptions — one more than he had in the first eight games of the season. At halftime, the Lions were down 23-7.
“The odds of winning a game with five turnovers are really small,” Campbell said. “This was a total team effort in every phase of the game.”
Kicker Jake Bates played a key role, making a 58-yard field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter, and then hitting a 52-yarder to win it as time ran out.
With the victory, the Lions became the first team since the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 to win a game after throwing five interceptions.
Campbell gave a lot of credit to the defense, which limited the Texans to three field goals in the first half and then kept them scoreless in the second half.
“That’s so tough for a defense, because they are out there keeping them out of the end zone and then we throw an interception two plays later and they are back on the field,” Campbell said. “That was a huge performance, even before you consider the two takeaways.”
Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis had a standout game, picking off two passes from C.J. Stroud in the second half, including one at the 3-yard line.
“I told C.D. on Saturday that he might be our best acquisition this season,” Campbell said. “How can you not love a cover corner who can run, hit, shut down the running game and pick off two passes when we needed them?”
