Coach Dan Campbell was still amazed at the Lions’ comeback as they beat the Texans on Sunday night

Dan Campbell has experienced a lot 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 – to beat the Houston Texans 26-23. They trailed 23-7 at halftime.

“The chances of winning a game with five turnovers are really slim,” Campbell said. “It was an absolute team effort in every phase of the game.”

Kicker Jake Bates hit a 58-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to tie the game and a 52-yarder as time expired to win the game.

The Lions became the first team since the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 to win despite throwing five interceptions in a game.

Campbell praised the defense, which forced the Texans into three field goals in the first half before shutting them down in the second half.

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

Senior cornerback Carlton Davis intercepted two passes from CJ Stroud in the second half, including one at the 3-yard line.

“I told CD on Saturday that he might be our best signing this season,” Campbell said. “How can you not love a coverage corner that can run, hit, finish the running game and intercept two passes when we needed him to?”

What works

The Lions’ run defense dominated the Texans all night long. 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 kept coming after us, but we were able to stop him.”

What needs help

Goff had not thrown an interception in his last five games. No one expected him to throw five throws, 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.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was playing badly,” Goff said. “I had a good overview of things and threw the ball well. I’ve been in much worse positions and I didn’t want to let a few unfortunate mistakes get me down.”

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

Stock up

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

After a season in which Campbell didn’t trust his kickers in big moments, Bates has become an important part of Detroit’s record-setting start.

Inventory reduced

Jameson Williams had a total of 12 receptions and rushing attempts for 228 yards in Detroit’s first two games, making everyone think he had finally become the deep threat the Lions so desperately needed. However, he totaled just 12 tackles and rushing attempts for 218 yards over the next seven games, including a catch for minus-4 yards on Oct. 20 at Minnesota, followed by his two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances Policy.

He did have three catches for 53 yards against Houston, but the Lions need him to regain his September form.

Injury report

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