Sunday Night Football: John Metchie's first career TD gives the Texans a 23-7 halftime lead

The Texans scored on five of their six possessions in the first half, but nothing special was a touchdown that tied the game 23-7 at halftime.

John Metchie, recovering from leukemia, caught the first touchdown of his career, capping a six-play, 66-yard drive with 12 seconds left in the second quarter.

With Stefon Diggs out for the season and Nico Collins still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Metchie has been elevated to a larger role for Houston – and he has come through. Metchie caught all four of his first-half scores for 65 yards, including the 15-yard score. He also had a 25-yard reception during the Texans' two-minute practice.

Quarterback CJ Stroud was at his best late in the first half, giving Houston a 16-point halftime lead. After two quarters, Stroud has completed 14 of 20 passes for 164 yards with a touchdown.

While the Lions shut down the Texans' running game – Joe Mixon only had 10 yards on 12 carries – Mixon scored with an 8-yard TD run on a jet sweep to cap off Houston's first possession. Mixon also has two catches for 44 yards.

Texas kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn made field goals of 34, 56 and 29 yards in the first half.

Defensively, Houston largely held Detroit in check. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three interceptions in the first half, with the last coming on a Hail Mary attempt late in the second period. However, the two picks led directly to points.

Goff was picked off on a tip pass to end Detroit's opening drive. That led to Mixon's touchdown. Then, in the second quarter, Goff was hit and the ball was released and picked up without touching the ground in an attempt to intercept it. That led to Fairbairn's 29-yard field goal.

The Texans pressured Goff in the first half even though they didn't get a sack. Officially, the team has four quarterback hits.

Goff is 7 of 17 for 91 yards with one touchdown – a 20-yard pass to Sam LaPorta – and three picks.

Houston will have a chance to double down as the club gets the kickoff in the second half.