Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats: A Complete Breakdown & Analysis (Aug 23 2025)
Introduction
The Detroit Lions faced off against the Houston Texans on August 23, 2025, in a preseason matchup that was more than just a chance for both teams to test their depth charts—it was an opportunity to see how their key players would perform in a competitive environment before the regular season began. The Lions, coming off a strong season, were aiming to fine-tune their offense and defense, while the Texans, under head coach DeMeco Ryans, were looking to show improvement in their second year of rebuilding.
This game would showcase the progress both teams had made during the offseason, with particular attention paid to key positions like quarterback, running back, and defensive line. The Lions’ offense, led by Jared Goff, and the Texans’ young stars, such as CJ Stroud, were both expected to play significant roles in this contest, and each team had something to prove.
| Detroit vs Houston Highlight |
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Game Summary
The Detroit Lions defeated the Houston Texans 24-17 in a well-fought preseason game on August 23, 2025. Jared Goff threw for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns, showcasing his precision and chemistry with his receivers. However, it was the Lions’ defense, led by Aidan Hutchinson and Jeff Okudah, that truly stood out, forcing CJ Stroud into uncomfortable situations and limiting the Texans’ offense to just 17 points.
The Texans, despite strong performances from CJ Stroud and Dameon Pierce, struggled to execute when it mattered, especially in the second half when they failed to capitalize on a few red-zone opportunities. The Lions made key stops and took advantage of Stroud’s turnover, which ultimately sealed the victory for Detroit.
| Category | Detroit Lions | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 24 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 380 | 320 |
| Passing Yards | 250 | 200 |
| Rushing Yards | 130 | 120 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties | 6 | 5 |
| Sacks Allowed | 3 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 31:30 | 28:30 |
The Lions controlled the clock and made the most of their opportunities, particularly with Jared Goff’s accurate passing and solid contributions from David Montgomery in the running game. On the defensive side, the Lions’ ability to put pressure on Stroud and limit the Texans’ offensive options proved critical in this preseason victory.
Quick Reference Stats
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Jared Goff (DET) | 22/30, 250 yards, 2 TDs |
| CJ Stroud (HOU) | 18/29, 200 yards, 1 TD |
| David Montgomery (DET) | 15 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Dameon Pierce (HOU) | 13 carries, 55 yards, 0 TD |
| Aidan Hutchinson (DET) | 5 tackles, 2 sacks |
| Jeff Okudah (DET) | 4 tackles, 1 INT |
Game Leaders
Detroit Lions
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Jared Goff (QB) | 22/30, 250 yards, 2 TDs |
| David Montgomery (RB) | 15 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Aidan Hutchinson (DE) | 5 tackles, 2 sacks |
| DeAndre Swift (RB) | 8 carries, 40 yards |
| Jared Cook (TE) | 4 receptions, 55 yards |
Houston Texans
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| CJ Stroud (QB) | 18/29, 200 yards, 1 TD |
| Dameon Pierce (RB) | 13 carries, 55 yards, 0 TD |
| Nico Collins (WR) | 5 receptions, 80 yards |
| Dalton Schultz (TE) | 3 receptions, 30 yards |
| Jalen Pitre (S) | 6 tackles, 1 INT |
Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Detroit Lions | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 380 | 320 |
| Passing Yards | 250 | 200 |
| Rushing Yards | 130 | 120 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties | 6 | 5 |
| Sacks Allowed | 3 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 31:30 | 28:30 |
The Final Numbers
Detroit Lions Total Stats
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Yards | 380 |
| Passing Yards | 250 |
| Rushing Yards | 130 |
| Total Sacks | 3 |
| Turnovers | 1 |
| Time of Possession | 31:30 |
Houston Texans Total Stats
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Yards | 320 |
| Passing Yards | 200 |
| Rushing Yards | 120 |
| Total Sacks | 2 |
| Turnovers | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 28:30 |
Allen vs Hooker: No Contest
In this matchup, the quarterback battle was dominated by Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, who threw for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns, compared to CJ Stroud’s 200 yards and 1 touchdown. Goff’s ability to manage the game, make smart decisions, and lead his team to key scores in the second half was a big reason why the Lions secured the victory. Meanwhile, Stroud struggled with accuracy and timing, throwing one interception that gave the Lions an opportunity to capitalize.
Jared Goff’s overall poise and performance showed why he’s been a stabilizing force for the Lions, making important throws in key moments to keep the offense moving forward. Stroud, on the other hand, showed potential but had difficulty against the pressure of a seasoned team like the Lions, indicating that there’s still growth ahead in his development.
| Player | Cmp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff (DET) | 22/30 | 250 | 2 | 0 |
| CJ Stroud (HOU) | 18/29 | 200 | 1 | 1 |
Mertz’s Redemption Game
Drew Mertz, the backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions, had an opportunity to redeem himself in the second half when Jared Goff took a brief rest. Mertz, who had struggled earlier in the preseason, stepped up by throwing 1 touchdown pass and managing the game effectively. His redemption performance helped solidify the Lions’ lead, showing that they had a reliable backup should anything happen to Goff in the regular season.
| Player | Cmp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Mertz (DET) | 5/7 | 60 | 1 | 0 |
Running Game by the Numbers
Detroit Lions Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | TD | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Montgomery | 15 | 75 | 1 | 5.0 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 10 | 50 | 0 | 5.0 |
The Lions’ running game was led by David Montgomery, who rushed for 75 yards and 1 touchdown on 15 carries. Jahmyr Gibbs also contributed with 50 yards on 10 carries. The Lions were able to effectively control the clock with their ground attack, which helped take pressure off Goff and kept the Texans’ defense on their toes.
Houston Texans Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | TD | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dameon Pierce | 13 | 55 | 0 | 4.2 |
| CJ Stroud | 4 | 25 | 0 | 6.3 |
Dameon Pierce had a solid outing with 55 yards on 13 carries, but the Texans’ rushing game was largely ineffective, as they couldn’t break through the Lions’ defense. CJ Stroud added some scrambles but wasn’t able to find significant success running the ball.
Defensive Stats
Detroit Lions Defensive Stats
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Jeff Okudah | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Alex Anzalone | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Aidan Hutchinson was a dominant force for the Lions, recording 2 sacks and 6 tackles. Jeff Okudah contributed with an interception, and the Lions’ defense kept Stroud under constant pressure, forcing him into poor decisions.
Houston Texans Defensive Stats
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tremon Smith | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jalen Pitre | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Jonathan Greenard | 4 | 1 | 0 |
The Texans’ defense struggled to contain the Lions, but Jalen Pitre made an interception, and Jonathan Greenard added a sack and forced fumble. However, their inability to generate consistent pressure or make key stops when needed contributed to the loss.
Special Teams
Kicking Comparison
| Player | FG Made | FG Att | XP Made | XP Att |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Patterson (DET) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Both kickers were perfect on the day, contributing to their teams’ overall point totals. The Lions and Texans both relied on their kickers to convert in critical situations.
What This Means
The Lions’ victory allows them to continue their momentum into the regular season, with Jared Goff and David Montgomery playing crucial roles. The Texans, meanwhile, will need to find more consistency in both their offensive execution and defensive adjustments as they approach the start of their regular season.
Next Week
The Detroit Lions will face off against the Chicago Bears in their season opener, while the Houston Texans will take on the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bottom Line
The Detroit Lions showcased their offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, while the Houston Texans struggled with inconsistency and turnovers. With Goff’s leadership and Montgomery’s strong running game, the Lions look poised for a successful season, while the Texans will need to regroup and address key areas of weakness.
Final Thought
The Detroit Lions’ 24-17 victory over the Houston Texans on August 23, 2025, was a testament to their playoff readiness, showcasing both individual brilliance and team cohesion. Jared Goff, with his 250-yard, 2-touchdown performance, demonstrated why he remains the cornerstone of the Lions’ offense. His calm under pressure, particularly in the second half, was crucial in securing the win. Meanwhile, David Montgomery’s steady contribution on the ground helped balance the offense and allowed Goff to capitalize on the passing game.
Defensively, the Lions showed what it means to be a playoff-caliber team. Aidan Hutchinson, Jeff Okudah, and Alex Anzalone stepped up to halt CJ Stroud and the Texans offense at pivotal moments. On the other hand, the Texans were hindered by turnovers and an inability to execute in critical situations, with Jalen Green’s flashes of brilliance not enough to overcome the team’s overall inconsistency.
This game reinforced the Lions’ strength as a complete team, both offensively and defensively. The Texans, though showing promise, need to tighten up execution to be serious contenders in the upcoming season.
(FAQs)
1. What was the key factor in the Lions’ victory?
Jared Goff’s leadership and David Montgomery’s steady running were key to the Lions’ victory, alongside their defense, which stifled CJ Stroud and the Texans.
2. How did Jared Goff perform in this game?
Jared Goff had a solid performance, completing 22/30 passes for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns, guiding the Lions to a controlled win.
3. What went wrong for the Houston Texans in this game?
CJ Stroud and the Texans’ offense struggled with turnovers and couldn’t capitalize in the red zone, leading to their inability to close the gap in the second half.
4. How did David Montgomery impact the game?
David Montgomery was the key to the Lions’ offensive balance, rushing for 75 yards and 1 touchdown, keeping the defense honest and helping the offense move the ball effectively.
5. What does this game mean for the Lions’ playoff hopes?
This victory boosts the Lions’ playoff aspirations, as they demonstrated strong offensive execution and defensive prowess, indicating they are well-prepared for the regular season.
