DETROIT — Dan Campbell has seen a lot as an NFL player and coach.

But he’d never seen anything like Sunday night.

The Lions threw five interceptions, one more than Jared Goff had in the first eight games, and came back to beat the Houston Texans 26-23. They closed the first half trailing 23-7.

“The chances of winning a game with five turnovers are really slim,” Campbell said. “This was a total team effort in every phase of the game.”

Kicker Jake Bates kicked a 58-yard field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter and a game-winning 52-yarder as time expired.

The Lions became the first team since the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 to win despite throwing five interceptions in a game.

Campbell relied on the defense, which forced the Texans to score three goals in the first half and shut them down in the second half.

“That’s tough on a defense because they’re out there holding them out of the end zone and then two plays later we throw a tackle and they’re back on the field,” Campbell said. “Even before you consider the two takeaways, this was a tremendous performance.”

Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis intercepted two CJ Stroud passes in the second half, including one at the 3-yard line.

“I told CD on Saturday that he could be our best acquisition this season,” Campbell said. “How can you not love a guard corner who can run, shoot, close out and make two passes when we need them?”

What works?

The Lions’ run defense dominated the Texans all night. Joe Mixon had an 8-yard touchdown run but finished with just 46 yards on 25 carries.

“We knew he was the most dangerous offensive player we had to stop,” Campbell said. “He’s a very tough runner and he kept coming after us but we managed to pin him down.”

What is the need for help?

Goff hasn’t thrown an interception in his last five games. No one expected him to make five shots, but he made three in the first half and two more in the third quarter; He turned the ball over two plays after Davis’ first interception and three plays after his second interception.

“I didn’t think I played bad, to be honest,” Goff said. “I was seeing things well and I was throwing the ball well. I’ve been in much worse positions and I wasn’t going to let a few unfortunate mistakes put me off my game.”

Despite two interceptions in the third quarter, Goff went 8-for-13 for 149 yards and a touchdown in the second half.

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Bates started the year kicking at Ford Field, but for the UFL’s Michigan Panthers. That helped him catch the Lions’ attention by kicking a 64-yard field goal that was called off due to a timeout and then kicking it again.

After a season in which Campbell didn’t rely on his shooters in big moments, Bates has become a key piece in Detroit’s record-setting start.

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Jameson Williams had 12 combined receptions and 228 yards rushing attempts in Detroit’s first two games, leading everyone to think he had finally developed into the big-play threat the Lions so desperately needed. But over the next seven games, he had only 12 combined receptions and rushing attempts for 218 yards; this included a minus-4 yard catch at Minnesota on Oct. 20, after which he was suspended two games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing clauses. policy.

He had three catches for 53 yards against Houston but the Lions need him to regain his September form.

injury report

TE Sam LaPorta left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, but Campbell doesn’t think it will be a long-term issue. OT Taylor Decker missed the game due to a shoulder injury. Campbell said he’s hopeful both can return Sunday against Jacksonville.

key number

5 — Number of wins by the Lions over a five-game stretch that includes away games at Dallas, Minnesota, Green Bay and Houston. Their only home game was a victory over Tennessee.

next

Eliminate the turnovers and focus on the Jaguars (2-8).