The Houston Texans handed Detroit another Thanksgiving holiday NFL defeat, with a costly mistake by Lions coach Jim Schwartz helping seal his team’s fate.
On the heels of Houston’s overtime victory over Jacksonville on Sunday, the Texans emerged with a 34-31 triumph over the Lions on Thursday, courtesy of Shayne Graham’s 32-yard field goal with 2:21 remaining in overtime.
Graham’s game-winner atoned for a 51-yard miss earlier in the extra period.
Houston quarterback Matt Schaub passed for 315 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Adrian Foster rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns for the Texans, who have won five straight. At 10-1, they could find themselves in the playoffs when the dust settles after Sunday’s games.
Matthew Stafford went 31-for-61 for 441 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions, who lost their third straight game.
It was another disappointing Thanksgiving for Detroit, who have lost nine consecutive contests on the holiday.
Detroit were leading 24-14 in the third quarter when the Texans came back with a controversial touchdown.
Justin Forsett took a handoff and appeared to be down with his arm touching the ground. However, the whistle was never blown and he ran into the end zone on an 81-yard score.
Schwartz immediately threw the challenge flag, but he was called for unsportsmanlike conduct because all touchdowns are automatically reviewed.
That nullified any review and the score was allowed to stand, making it a 24-21 contest.
On the Texans’ next possession Graham tied the game with 2:36 to play in the third quarter.
Detroit regained a 31-24 lead early in the fourth, but with 1:55, Foster’s one-yard scoring run capped a 15-play, 97-yard drive by Houston.
Detroit kicker Jason Hanson had one last chance on the fifth possession of overtime, but his 47-yard field goal attempt hit the right upright.
Washington’s rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III excelled in his first Thanksgiving game, throwing for 311 yards and four touchdowns in Dallas in a 38-31 victory over NFC East division rivals the Cowboys.
The Redskins snapped a three-game losing streak against the Cowboys.
Dallas signal-caller Tony Romo threw for 441 yards on 37-of-62 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the defeat. He had been unbeaten in five prior Thanksgiving Day starts.
In Thursday’s other game, the 7-3 New England Patriots — closing in on their ninth AFC East division title in 10 years — visited division rivals the New York Jets.
Tom Brady and the Patriots are coming off a 59-24 thumping of Indianapolis, but they’ll see how costly that victory might be as they have to make do without All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who broke a forearm while blocking on a play against the Colts.
Texans tame Lions in overtime
