Detroit Lions (7-1) are set to face the Houston Texans (6-3) this Sunday at 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC. According to BetMGM, the Lions are favored by 3.5 points. Detroit has an impressive record against the spread at 7-1, while Houston currently stands at 3-5-1. In their all-time series, the Texans hold the advantage with a 4-1 record against the Lions. Their last encounter was on November 26, 2020, when Houston triumphed over Detroit with a score of 41-25.

Last week’s performances showed a contrasting narrative; the Lions secured a solid 24-14 victory against the Packers, while the Texans fell short, losing to the Jets 21-13. Analyzing the teams’ offensive capabilities, Detroit ranks 7th overall, 6th in rushing, and leads in scoring. However, they sit 22nd defensively, while Houston comes in at 11th on offense and 2nd on defense. Notably, the Lions have a +11 turnover differential compared to the Texans’ +4.

Key players to watch include Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, who is returning from a two-game suspension due to a performance-enhancing policy violation. His absence was felt as the Lions struggled to stretch the field, with quarterback Jared Goff’s yards per completion dropping significantly. Williams, with an average of 21.2 yards per catch this season, is a crucial deep threat for Goff. On the Texans’ side, Nico Collins may make his return after missing four games due to a hamstring injury. His return could bring much-needed support to Houston’s passing game, as he leads the team with 567 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

The showdown of the week will be Goff against Houston’s defense. Goff has made history by completing at least 72% of his passes with a passer rating of 105 or higher in six consecutive games. His completion percentage and passer rating over this span set records, making this matchup critical against a Texans defense that ranks 3rd in the league, allowing only 167.4 passing yards per game.

In terms of injuries, the Lions are hopeful for the return of cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and safety Iffy Melifonwu. Defensive end Josh Paschal is expected to play after a health scare involving a benign mass being removed. For the Texans, defensive end Will Anderson Jr.’s status is uncertain due to an ankle injury, while safety Jimmie Ward is anticipated to return from a groin injury. There are concerns as well regarding the availability of center/guard Jarrett Patterson due to a concussion and guard Kenyon Green following a shoulder injury.

Historically, the Texans have dominated this series, winning the last four meetings. Houston’s closest call came in a 34-31 overtime victory in Detroit back in 2012. On a positive note for the Lions, their current 7-1 start matches their best since 1956, and they are in the midst of a six-game winning streak, the team’s longest since 1995. Impressively, Detroit has rushed for over 100 yards in all their games this season and boasts a 13-1 takeaway-to-giveaway ratio in the last five matchups.

In terms of individual performances, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads Detroit with 7.5 sacks, and kicker Jake Bates has been perfect with all 12 of his field-goal attempts this season. On the Texans’ side, quarterback C.J. Stroud delivers a solid performance at home, boasting a passer rating of 105.7 across his career home starts. Meanwhile, Collins has enjoyed success this season despite his absence, consistently achieving over 75 yards receiving in each game he has played. The Texans’ offensive line will also look to rebound after allowing eight sacks the previous week.

Fantasy insights suggest that Houston running back Joe Mixon might be worth considering after recently performing well with at least 100 rushing yards in four successive games. He currently ranks third in the NFL for average rushing yards per game at 101.5.