As expected, no starters were allowed on the field against the Texans which allowed the team to escape very clean. The Lions philosophy the entire preseason of not playing any starters (except for rookies) has helped keep the team healthy entering the regular season.

And the Texans won that war and a predominance of the battles, too. Trevor Nowaske and Myles Adams were both quite active for the Lions in run defense on Houston's opening drive. The Texans capped a long drive with a 53-yard field goal from Kaimi Fairbairn,