Houston Texans @ Detroit Lions. 11:30. 11/22. **Official Thanksgiving Day Thread**

[ThaShark316]

Happy Thanksgiving, fam!

Following an uncharacteristic performance, the Houston Texans' defense won't have much time to prepare for another challenge.

The Detroit Lions own of one of the league's most prolific offenses, but history isn't on their side.

The AFC-leading Texans try to extend their four-game win streak when they play a Lions team trying to win its first Thanksgiving Day game in nine years.

Houston (9-1) ranks among the NFL's best defenses with 18.0 points and 299.2 yards allowed per game, but struggled to contain woeful Jacksonville in a 43-37 overtime victory Sunday.

The Texans, who hadn't allowed a touchdown in their previous two games, needed record-setting performances from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to help them rally from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Schaub passed for 527 yards, tied for the second-most in an NFL game, and a franchise-best five touchdowns. Johnson posted career highs of 14 receptions and 273 yards - the most in the league since 2000 - and scored the winning touchdown in the extra period.

The Texans, though, also gave up a season-high 458 yards with Jacksonville's backup quarterback Chad Henne throwing for 354.

"We obviously didn't play up to our standard," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We gave up big plays. We had a few assignment issues, which is unusual for us. That's something we've got to fix."

Houston might have another test against the Lions, who rank second in the league with 401.7 yards per game. Those efforts, though, haven't translated into many wins.

Detroit (4-6) is coming off Sunday's 24-20 loss to visiting Green Bay, its fifth defeat by eight points or fewer. Matthew Stafford completed a season-low 43.6 percent of his passes (17 of 39) and one of his two interceptions was returned for a touchdown. The Lions, who have lost eight in a row on Thanksgiving since beating Green Bay in 2003, had four turnovers in all, bringing their season total to 18.

"Obviously I have to play better to give us a chance to win," Stafford said.

From Bucky Brooks of NFL.com

Prediction: The Texans are the best team in the AFC, but they have been exploited by high-powered passing offenses this season. Detroit will challenge Houston's secondary with a host of deep throws to Megatron. While this tactic could keep things close for most of the contest, the Texans' efficient offense will eventually overpower the Lions in the fourth quarter. Texans 34, Lions 24

MORE PICKS: http://challengegames.nfl.com/pickem...me-day-morning

What I want to see:

Test out the Lion safeties up top

Second game in a row that I'm actually advocating this. The Schaub to Dre connection has been a sight to behold recently, so let's test 'em.

Double that damn Decepticon...

...every single time. Look, this man...well, he's not a man. That's a machine. The DBs need to find a way to limit Stafford's throws to him. We all know Matt Stafford will toss him the pill at any time, even while double or triple covered. So, with that...

...GET. PRESSURE. ON. STAFFORD

I can't stress this enough. One of the reasons why Chad Henne skinned the defense alive was thanks to a lack of pressure. Need Barwin, Reed, Mercilus and some well timed blitzes to get to him early and often.

Run Arian Run

The Lions are, according to the numbers, a middle-of-the-road team in run D. Honestly, I don't care if they were #1 and only allowing 2.3 yards a GAME (not per carry), I still want to see us feature the run. Got to slow down their pass rush and keep a tough D-Line like Detroit's on the honest side.

Happy Thanksgiving, ladies and gents!! 10 years ago...hell, even 5 years ago, I never thought we'd EVER get a game on Thanksgiving. Now, just because we all get turkey today, doesn't mean anything has changed. 1-0 every single week, or in this case: 2-0! Be loud around your family, enjoy your feast, and have a happy, safe and pleasant Thanksgiving! LET'S MUTHA****IN' GO, TEXANS!!!!

[TheMatrix31]

Let's go baby! Pumped up for this one. Same as usual....play smart and disciplined, take care of the ball, and good things will happen. I have to say I'm worried about Calvin w/o Joseph on him but we'll see what happens. Maybe we can let him get his and shut everything else down.

[Allstar]

Merril Hoge YOU ARE DEAD TO ME

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

Let's go baby! Pumped up for this one. Same as usual....play smart and disciplined, take care of the ball, and good things will happen. I have to say I'm worried about Calvin w/o Joseph on him but we'll see what happens. Maybe we can let him get his and shut everything else down.

Is JJo playing?

[Allstar]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Is JJo playing?

Last I heard he was a game time decision. Kubes said if he says he's good to go, they'll let him play.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Let's go Texans!!!

[steelbtexan]

Tomorrow is about Giving thanks,family,turkey and kicking the Lions butts.

GO TEXANS

[dream_team]

When was the last time Houston played on thanksgiving?

[Thorn]

I can't believe I'm up at 3AM in the morning. I'm to old for this ****.

Go Texans!!!

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Originally Posted by dream_team

When was the last time Houston played on thanksgiving?

Back in the Oilers days if you are referring Houston team.

In 1992 Houston Oilers 24, DETROIT LIONS 21

[kiwitexansfan]

Happy to hear that someone is picking against us, always makes me nervous when everyone picks us.

Looking forward to the game, feeling confident enough, think we will be up for a good bounce back game.

[NitroGSXR]

We must keep the dirty Suh away from Schaub at all costs.

[TheMatrix31]

Yeah, that's also what I'm terrified. Suh and Fairley are thugs. If Schaub gets injured, I quit.

[FirstTexansFan]

Lets go kick some Lion butt! I want some of that to go with my turkey and dressing today

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving to all my online Texan friends, this is my one source for Texans info

[SheTexan]

I'm not as worried about Suh as I am about KJ stopping Megathron, or whoever we have covering him. Got a bad feeling he will wanna beat AJs stats from last week, just to prove HE is the supposed best! Our corners have GOT to play their best!

[ATXtexanfan]

I hope our guys put on a show

[axman40]

Here's to the Texans having a Great Thanksgiving today!TCB for the W!

[TejasTom]

Lions in the oven, feasting begins at 11:30.

[TejasTom]

Let's wrap up some pro bowl spots today. Not that we'll have any players in the pro bowl. We're holding our party in New Orleans.

[silentassassin]

Wade says time to add a Lion to that trophy case.