The Lions and Texans served up a plate of turnovers early on Thanksgiving.
The NFL’s weakened slate of games Thursday got off to an auspicious start, with the Lions and Texans combining for four turnovers in the first half in Detroit. The action got sloppy enough that Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins reflected on how thankful he was to no longer be on the Texans.
“I’m thankful for the @AZCardinals believing in me enough to trade me for a 2nd rounder,” Hopkins tweeted an hour into the game, which was likely more than a coincidence. He did ultimately delete the tweet.
Hopkins’ former team led 23-14 at the half, thanks in part to three turnovers by the Lions. J.J. Watt had a pick-six on Matthew Stafford while Lions running backs Kerryon Johnson and Jonathan Williams each coughed up a fumble.
Texans running back C.J. Prosise also lost a fumble before halftime, but Deshaun Watson tossed a pair of touchdowns to help stake Houston out to a lead at the break.
The Texans-Lions — who entered with a combined record of 7-13 — were set to be followed by another matchup between losing teams, Cowboys vs. Washington. The nightcap was supposed to feature a showdown between the Steelers and Ravens, but was postponed to Sunday due to Baltimore’s COVID-19 outbreak.
