Houston Texans vs Detroit Lions

The Houston Texans wrapped up their preseason with an impressive 26–7 win over the Detroit Lions on August 23, 2025, at Ford Field. The victory gave Houston a 2–1 preseason finish, while Detroit slipped to 1–3, leaving head coach Dan Campbell with plenty to sort out before final roster cuts. From the start, the Texans dictated tempo on both sides of the ball, flashing offensive balance and defensive discipline that the Lions struggled to match.

Detroit actually struck first, thanks to backup quarterback Kyle Allen, who continued his efficient run of play this summer. On the Lions’ opening drive, Allen connected with rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa on a 33-yard strike, giving Detroit an early 7–0 lead. TeSlaa has now found the end zone in three straight preseason games, quickly becoming one of the bright spots for the Lions’ offensive depth. But aside from that sequence, Detroit’s attack sputtered for much of the night, unable to build sustained momentum.

Houston quickly responded and never looked back. Running back Woody Marks punched in a 9-yard touchdown, and quarterback Graham Mertz added to the surge with a pinpoint 6-yard toss to Quintez Cephus. Later, Kedon Slovis kept the scoring rolling with a short 3-yard touchdown to Daniel Jackson. Veteran kicker Ka‘imi Fairbairn chipped in with two long-range field goals, from 53 and 48 yards, highlighting Houston’s ability to finish drives in multiple ways.

Several Texans bubble players made the most of their opportunities. Cephus earned standout recognition with his touchdown grab and reliable route running, while running back Jawhar Jordan led the ground game with 55 yards. Mertz and Slovis both impressed under center, making the quarterback depth battle even more intriguing for Houston’s coaching staff. Defensively, players like Jake Hansen and Dylan Horton stood out, creating backfield pressure that disrupted Detroit’s rhythm.

For Detroit, the preseason finale raised concerns rather than provided answers. Beyond the early Allen-to-TeSlaa connection, the Lions lacked consistency on offense and struggled to contain Houston’s varied attack. With roster cuts looming, Campbell and his staff will be weighing difficult choices, particularly in the secondary and wide receiver group. Meanwhile, the Texans leave the preseason with momentum, depth chart clarity, and confidence as they turn their attention toward Week 1.