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Halftime Review: The Good, Bad and the Ugly

Read more on the Detroit Lions struggling with turnovers in the first half against the Houston Texans
Halftime Review: The Good, Bad and the Ugly
Halftime Review: The Good, Bad and the Ugly

Last week, the Detroit Lions were shut out for the first time since 2009. 

In a nationally televised contest Thursday against the Houston Texans, Detroit's offense looked to make amends. 

The Good

In the first half against Houston, Detroit's offense used a trick play to get on the board first. 

Despite the usual decision to establish the run with its first two offensive plays, Detroit used some trickery to take the early 7-0 lead. 

Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell called a reverse flea-flicker, and Matthew Stafford found tight end T.J. Hockenson for a 51-yard gain.

Hockenson had three catches for 78 yards in the half. 

Detroit was able to score first on a one-yard scamper from Adrian Peterson. 

stafford5
© Kirthmon F. Dozier via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The Bad

Stafford has struggled all season with turnovers, and the veteran passer again turned the ball over at an inopportune time. 

J.J. Watt secured his second career interception, and ran the ball back for a pick-six to get the Texans on the board. 

Linebacker Jamie Collins was burned by running back Duke Johnson on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson.

watt5
© Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly

Penalties and turnovers will certainly put any football team behind the proverbial eight-ball. 

Both of Houston's scoring drives in the first quarter were set up by Detroit errors -- a Stafford pick-six and a Jonathan Williams fumble.

Kerryon Johnson also fumbled to start the second quarter. 

Houston took advantage to the tune of 13 points.

Jack Fox, arguably Detroit's most reliable player, even had an unforced error in the first half when he sailed a kickoff out of bounds, giving Houston prime field position. 

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!