The NFL pre-season may not count toward the official standings, but for coaches, rookie hopefuls, established starters, and fans hungry for football, these games matter. They reveal roster depth, player readiness, offensive rhythm, and the early identity each team hopes to build for the upcoming year. On August 23, 2025, the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans delivered one of the most talked-about pre-season matchups—an event filled with standout performances, surprising imbalances, and critical statistical lessons for both teams.
With the Texans taking a 26–7 victory, the game gave analysts plenty of material to dissect. In this in-depth breakdown, we examine every angle—quarterback performance, rushing and receiving efficiency, defensive highlights, special teams influence, and the historical rivalry shaping these franchises. This comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions VS Houston Texans match player stats offers everything fans need to understand the dynamics behind the scoreline.
1. Game Overview: How the August 23, 2025, Match Unfolded
The 2025 pre-season matchup began with both teams looking sharp and energetic. The Lions struck first thanks to a well-executed early drive led by Jared Goff, finishing with a touchdown reception by Isaiah TeSlaa. However, Detroit’s momentum evaporated almost immediately after the opening score.
From the second quarter onward, Houston flipped the script. Their offense found consistent rhythm, their defense tightened up, and the Lions struggled to move the ball beyond short bursts. By halftime, the Texans had taken complete control, piling on 13 unanswered points. The Lions never scored again.
Houston’s ability to rotate quarterbacks, balance the run game, spread passes across multiple receivers, and dominate defensive matchups all pointed toward strong roster depth—a vital attribute during the NFL’s long grind.
Detroit, meanwhile, found small flashes of potential but lacked overall stability. Their inability to maintain drives or protect their quarterbacks contributed heavily to the lopsided final score.
2. Quarterback Performance: Efficiency vs. Inconsistency
Quarterbacks often dictate the flow of a pre-season game, and this matchup was no different. The Texans showed depth and accuracy, while the Lions struggled in protection and decision-making.
2.1 Houston Texans Quarterbacks: Clean, Confident, and Controlled
Houston rotated between Graham Mertz and Kedon Slovis, both of whom delivered respectable performances.
Passing Stats – Houston Texans
| Quarterback | C/ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | SACKS | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Mertz | 14/16 | 145 | 9.1 | 1 | 0 | 1-7 | 125.3 |
| Kedon Slovis | 11/16 | 111 | 6.9 | 1 | 1 | 0-0 | 83.1 |
| Team Total | 25/32 | 249 | 8.0 | 2 | 1 | 1-7 | 107.8 |
Analysis
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Mertz displayed elite efficiency, completing 87.5% of his passes.
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Slovis was slightly less accurate but still productive with a touchdown.
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Houston’s ability to spread targets across multiple receivers helped create a steady offensive flow.
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Only one sack allowed shows strong offensive line protection.
Houston’s passing attack demonstrated balance and composure—key attributes for a team looking to surprise in the 2025 regular season.
2.2 Detroit Lions Quarterbacks: Bright Spots Shadowed by Pressure
Detroit struggled throughout the passing game except for one perfect short outing.
Passing Stats – Detroit Lions
| Quarterback | C/ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | SACKS | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendon Hooker | 6/11 | 70 | 6.4 | 0 | 1 | 2-15 | 36.2 |
| Kyle Allen | 5/5 | 66 | 13.2 | 1 | 0 | 1-7 | 158.3 |
| Team Total | 11/16 | 114 | 8.5 | 1 | 1 | 3-22 | 89.6 |
Analysis
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Kyle Allen delivered a flawless short performance, but with limited snaps, it wasn’t enough to shift momentum.
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Hendon Hooker struggled under pressure, facing three sacks and throwing an interception.
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Protection breakdowns and inaccurate throws contributed to stalled drives.
The Texans’ defensive pressure clearly disrupted Detroit’s rhythm, exposing areas the Lions must address before the regular season begins.
3. Rushing Efficiency: Houston’s Control vs. Detroit’s Inconsistency
The ground game is critical for controlling pace and keeping defenses honest. Houston succeeded in both areas, while Detroit showed flashes but lacked sustained production.
3.1 Houston Texans Rushing: Balanced & Effective
Rushing Stats – Houston Texans
| Player | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jawhar Jordan | 13 | 55 | 4.2 | 0 | 11 |
| British Brooks | 7 | 23 | 3.3 | 0 | 12 |
| Graham Mertz | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 0 | 11 |
| Woody Marks | 6 | 19 | 3.2 | 1 | 9 |
| Dare Ogunbowale | 1 | 18 | 18.0 | 0 | 18 |
| Dameon Pierce | 7 | 17 | 2.4 | 0 | 6 |
| Kedon Slovis | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | 0 | -1 |
| Team Total | 38 | 150 | 3.9 | 1 | 18 |
Analysis
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Houston’s rushing attack was not explosive but consistently productive.
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Seven players contributed, creating unpredictability.
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Rookie Woody Marks’ touchdown was a promising sign.
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Houston controlled possession by sustaining ground drives.
This balance helped Houston keep Detroit’s defense on the field and dictate tempo.
3.2 Detroit Lions Rushing: One Big Play, Little Else
Rushing Stats – Detroit Lions
| Player | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Saylors | 9 | 32 | 3.6 | 0 | 7 |
| Hendon Hooker | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 0 | 25 |
| Craig Reynolds | 5 | 12 | 2.4 | 0 | 4 |
| Deon Jackson | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 3 |
| Team Total | 17 | 72 | 4.2 | 0 | 25 |
Analysis
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Hooker’s 25-yard scramble was the lone highlight.
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The running backs lacked room to operate.
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Detroit’s offensive line faced challenges in both pass and run blocking.
Detroit must improve its blocking schemes and running back utilization if it hopes to establish offensive consistency.
4. Receiving Game: Texans’ Depth vs Lions’ Highlights
Passing efficiency depends heavily on receivers creating separation and making plays. Here, Houston displayed clear superiority.
4.1 Houston Texans Receiving: Wide Distribution of Production
Receiving Stats – Houston Texans
| Receiver | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | TGTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell Powell | 6 | 63 | 10.5 | 0 | 20 | 7 |
| Quintez Cephus | 4 | 51 | 12.8 | 1 | 18 | 7 |
| Juwann Winfree | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | 1 | 24 | 24.0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Woody Marks | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
| Daniel Jackson | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Team Total | 25 | 256 | 10.2 | 2 | 26 | 32 |
Analysis
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Twelve players were targeted in total—showing depth and balance.
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Cephus and Powell provided reliable mid-range production.
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Houston excelled at turning short passes into manageable down-and-distance situations.
This versatility is part of what made Houston’s offense look playoff-ready even in August.
4.2 Detroit Lions Receiving: Explosive but Limited
Receiving Stats – Detroit Lions
| Receiver | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | TGTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac TeSlaa | 2 | 41 | 20.5 | 1 | 33 | 2 |
| Jacob Saylors | 3 | 27 | 9.0 | 0 | 14 | 3 |
| Ronnie Bell | 2 | 25 | 12.5 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| Craig Reynolds | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Team Total | 22 | 136 | 12.4 | 1 | 33 | 32 |
Analysis
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Tesla’s touchdown and 33-yard reception were the offensive highlights.
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Detroit lacked volume from secondary receivers.
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Dropped targets and pressure disrupted the passing flow.
The Texans’ secondary outperformed the Lions’ receiving corps in every major category except yards per catch.
5. Defensive Performance: Texans’ Pressure vs Lions’ Volume Tackling
Defense wins championships—and in pre-season, it wins roster spots. Houston played tight, disciplined defense, while Detroit showed effort but less disruption.
5.1 Houston Texans Defensive Summary
Defensive Stats – Houston Texans
| Player | TACK | SOLO | SACK | TFL | PD | QBH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur Maulet | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tommy Togiai | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Casey Toohill | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Team Total | 45 | 26 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Analysis
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Houston earned three sacks, each by a different defender.
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They forced Detroit into long third-down and passing situations.
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The Texans also secured the game’s only interception.
Their defensive unit looked fundamentally strong and disruptive—key traits heading into the regular season.
5.2 Detroit Lions Defensive Summary
Defensive Stats – Detroit Lions
| Player | TACK | SOLO | SACK | TFL | PD | QBH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loren Strickland | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyson Russell | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Isaac Ukwu | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Team Total | 79 | 47 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
Analysis
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Higher tackle count indicates Detroit’s defense spent more time on the field.
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Only one sack suggests limited backfield disruption.
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Missed assignments contributed to Houston’s offensive success.
Detroit’s defense must focus on creating pressure and forcing turnovers moving forward.
6. Special Teams Impact: Hidden Yardage That Mattered
Special teams often determine pre-season momentum. Houston won here, too.
Kick Returns
| Team | NO | YDS | AVG | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2 | 73 | 36.5 | 47 |
| Detroit | 5 | 131 | 26.2 | 44 |
Houston gained better field position per return, aiding early scoring drives.
Kicking
| Kicker | FG | PCT | LONG | XP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | 2/3 | 67% | 53 | 2/2 | 8 |
| Jake Bates | 0/0 | 0% | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Fairbairn’s long field goal helped cement the Texans’ lead.
7. Historical Rivalry: Texans Extend Their Lead
The Lions and Texans rarely meet, but their matchups have been entertaining for two decades.
All-Time Head-to-Head
Houston leads the all-time series 5–2 after the 2025 result.
Major highlights include:
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Detroit’s last win: 2024 in a tight 26–23 battle.
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Houston’s overtime win in 2012, one of the most memorable games between the franchises.
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The Texans have won most of the recent matchups, showcasing stronger consistency in inter-conference play.
This pre-season win further cemented Houston’s edge.
8. What the Result Means for Both Teams Moving Forward
Pre-season is about growth—this game revealed plenty for both squads.
8.1 What This Win Means for Houston
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Backup QBs look dependable.
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Rookies like Woody Marks are promising contributors.
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The defense appears versatile and disciplined.
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Strong offensive balance hints at a competitive regular season.
Houston appears deeper and more complete than expected.
8.2 What This Loss Means for Detroit
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Protection issues need urgent correction.
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Hooker requires improved reading and pocket awareness.
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Receivers must create more consistent separation.
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Defense needs more pass-rush production.
Detroit has talent, but must convert flashes into sustained performance.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions VS Houston Texans match player stats reveal a game defined by depth, preparation, and execution. Houston overwhelmed Detroit with efficiency—through the air, on the ground, and defensively—resulting in a confident 26–7 victory. Detroit’s early spark fizzled, but its individual highlights offer areas to build upon as the regular season approaches.
As both teams move forward, the Texans can feel optimistic about their roster’s strength and developmental trajectory. Meanwhile, Detroit must address fundamental issues and refine its game plan to ensure a more competitive showing when meaningful football begins.
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