Coach Dan Campbell was still surprised by the Lions’ comeback to beat the Texans on Sunday night

Dan Campbell has seen many things as an NFL player and coach.

However, he had never seen anything like Sunday night.

The Lions overcame five interceptions by Jared Goff — one more than he had thrown in the first eight games — and came back to beat the Houston Texans 26-23. They trailed 23-7 at halftime.

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

Kicker Jake Bates made a 58-yard field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter and a 52-yarder to win it 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 credited the defense, which forced the Texans to kick three field goals in the first half before shutting them out in the second.

“It’s so hard for a defense because they’re out there keeping them out of the end zone and then we throw an interception two plays later and they’re back on the field,” Campbell said. “It was a huge achievement, even before considering the two takeaways.”

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 signing this season,” Campbell said. “How can you not love a cornerback who can run, hit, shut down the run game and pick off two passes when we needed 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 such a hard runner and he kept coming after us, but we were able to bottle him up.”

What needs help

Goff had not thrown an interception in his last five games. No one expected him to throw five, but he had three in the first half and two more in the third quarter — turning the ball over two plays after Davis’ first interception and three plays after his second.

“I honestly didn’t think I played bad,” Goff said. “I saw things well and threw the ball well. I’ve been in a lot worse positions and I wasn’t going to let a couple of unlucky mistakes throw me off my game.”

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

Stock up

Bates started the year kicking at Ford Field, but for the UFL’s Michigan Panthers. It helped him get the Lions’ attention by kicking a 64-yard field goal that was negated by a timeout, then did it again.

After a season where Campbell didn’t rely on his kickers in big moments, Bates has become an essential part of Detroit’s record start.

Stock down

Jameson Williams had 12 combined receptions and 228 rushing yards in Detroit’s first two games, leading everyone to believe he had finally arrived as the big-time threat the Lions so badly needed. However, he has just 12 combined receptions and rushing attempts over the next seven games for 218 yards, including a minus-4 catch on Oct. 20 at Minnesota, following his two-game suspension for a league performance-enhancing drug violation. politics.

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

Damage report

Tight end Sam LaPorta left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, but Campbell doesn’t think it will be a long-term problem. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker missed the game with a shoulder injury. Campbell said he hopes both can return Sunday against Jacksonville.