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.
