This one was the Texans mostly 2nd-team starting versus the Lions 2nd/3rd-team and both teams going with kinda weak QBs. Despite that setup there are some interesting player notes.
As for the game itself, the Lions took a 7-3 lead after the 1st-quarter...and then they rotated out to to-be-cut guys, and the Texans took advantage and put them away from there with a 23-0 run to the finish line.
Player Notes...
-- I have to start by saying... Isaac TeSlaa (2-41-1/2) caught another TD pass...three for 3 (games) in the preseason. So, I just want to say, for the third time in 3 preseason weeks -- that TeSlaa just moves like and catches the ball like a star. He just stands out among all the preseason players he is facing or working with. Such a brilliant pick by GM Brad Holmes.
TeSlaa looks great, but he is not working a ton with the 1s...whereas Amon-Ra and Jameson have been with Jared Goff for 3+ years. I love TeSlaa, but FF 2025 is not his time. He’ll be a contributor but he’s not blasting past ARSB and Jamo...not yet not now. Someday...not now.
-- You know what this game was a reminder for me...a reminder not to forget, not to be too blinded by a fellow rookie like TeSlaa, Texans rookie WR Jayden Higgins (2-18-0/2). He played a little here and actually got some pitch & catch throws, and Higgins got to show off his elite feet/his elite ability to get open quickly.
I’ve ranked TeSlaa above Higgins as this summer has gone on, because TeSlaa just shined and Higgins was super-quiet, but that’s been a bit unfair because Higgins’ talent is not helped by crappy 3rd/4th-string QB play. He got his best work in of the preseason here...and you could see the flashes of brilliance in his feet.
Higgins v. TeSlaa is a debate for the future, that I will lean TeSlaa today but I could see it being Higgins. I just trust Dan Campbell and the Lions more for offense than I do the current Texans regime.
-- The starting RB for the Texans here was Dameon Pierce (7-17-0). Hard to put up numbers against this ace run defense/D-Line, even the backups to the backups on the D-Line are awesome. So, not worrying about the numbers I really focused on watching how Pierce moved and how he dealt with the congested line of scrimmage...and...I was not impressed.
He’s OK. Moves well enough to be in the NFL but runs the ball herky-jerky and no real great feel running in the interior. I’m just not captivated by Pierce right now.
Pierce ran for a bit, then Dare Ogunbowale (1-18-0) played some, especially on 3rd-downs...then Pierce went back in. Pierce is listed as the #2 RB, but the Texans always seem to show more faith in Ogunbowale. If Chubb falters or gets hurt, I think it would be a Pierce-Ogunbowale duo effort.
Maybe Woody Marks (6-19-1, 3-20-0/3) will be in the committee mix, but he definitely looks like the #4 RB here. I don’t really see anything special with Marks. He is definitely behind Pierce/Ogunbowale.
-- Grant Stuard (6 tackles) has been a great pickup for the Lions this offseason...a really high energy, effective ILB who is backing up oft-injured Alex Anzelone...plus, he has been returning kicks
-- Texans Rookie QB Graham Mertz (14-16 for 145 yards, 1 TD/0 INT) looked ‘not terrible’ here...a big change from his Week 1 debut. Good enough to actually make the 53-man roster. I still don’t see a big future for him.
-- Kyle Allen (5-5 for 66 yards, 1 TD/0 INT) won the #2 QB job for Detroit...my favorite deep cut QB from the 2024 preseason has stepped up to a #2 job from his #3 in Pittsburgh last year. Hendon Hooker (6-11 for 70 yards, 0 TD/1 INT) got his rightful cut that’s been due for a while now.
