While watching Sunday nights Fantastic comeback win for the Lions in HoustonOne of the things that stood out in real time was how well Detroit's defense handled business on first downs. It certainly felt like it in the second half as Aaron Glenn's defense pitched a shutout against CJ Stroud and the Texans.
This led me to do a little research to see if my real-time perception was accurate. I went back and looked at every 1st-and-10 play the Texans ran in the second half:
1- Carlton Davis INT on a short route from Stroud
2- Joe Mixon runs 1 yard inside
3- Mixon inside run for 1 yard, same play as last one
4- Mixon outside run for 6 yards (Davis grabbed another INT on the next play)
5- Mixon runs from outside left for 5 yards, shaking Carlton Davis on the tackle
6- Mixon outside run for 4 yards, negated by a very obvious holding penalty (created 1st-and-20)
7- Stroud incomplete pass deep right to TE Cade Stover, tight coverage by Jack Campbell
8- Stroud to TE Dalton Schultz for 17 yards over the middle, a busted zone coverage by the Lions LBs
9- Mixon runs from outside for no gain, scores in the backfield
10- Mixon ran inside for 4 yards despite being hit in the backfield on the play
11- Mixon misses right tackle for 2 yards
12- Mixon inside run for 4 yards on a draw play
All told, the Texans ran the ball nine times on 1st-and-10 in the second half. Those nine runs by Joe Mixon gained 27 yards, but LG Juice Scruggs' penalty dropped the net to 17 yards on those nine attempts. Stroud completed one of three passes for 17 yards, with another one being intercepted.
That's 12 plays for Houston on 1st and 10 for a total of 34 yards and a takeaway by the Lions defense. If you're looking for a reason why the Lions were able to come back, their impressive work on first downs against a predictable Texans offense after halftime is a big reason.
