For just the third time ever, the Houston Texans will host the Detroit Lions in a regular season matchup.

Having only met six times overall, the two are polar opposites when it comes to their placement in the league. Detroit hails from the ever-competitive NFC North, while Houston is a member of the less-threatening AFC South.

They are alike, however, in that they each occupy the top spot in their respective divisions, including one of the top four playoff seeds at the moment. With just under half the season left to play, matchups like this can have a significant impact on a team’s season.

MORE: Stream Lions vs. Texans live on Fubo (free trial)

The 6-3 Texans are coming off their second loss in three games, losing 21-13 to Aaron Rodgers’ Jets on Halloween over a week ago. Second-year slinger C.J. Stroud had one of his worst performances so far, completing just 11-of-30 passes for 191 yards and no scores. 

Houston’s offensive line allowed eight sacks — the most in a single game this season — and running back Joe Mixon punched in the team’s lone touchdown late in the second frame. Stroud threw no interceptions, though, and the Texans collected more total yards than New York on the same number of drives. The issue was scoring in the red zone, which Stroud & Co. were only able to do once on four tries.

Super Bowl favorites at this point, the Lions own the top seed in the NFC with a conference-best 7-1 record — second only to the AFC West’s Chiefs. Detroit’s loss came in Week 2 against Baker Mayfield’s Bucs at home, a team with one of the best offenses in the league this season.

Dan Campbell’s squad is coming off a win over the Packers at Lambeau Field. Fringe MVP candidate Jared Goff posted a 97.7 QB rating, completing 26 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. 

Detroit also added a weapon before the trade deadline to replace the injured Aidan Hutchinson, trading for three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Browns. He will make his debut for the Lions on Sunday in Houston.

Here’s everything to know about Lions vs. Texans, including live score, updates, and highlights from the “Sunday Night Football” game.

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Lions vs. Texans score

Lions vs. Texans live score, updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’

(All times ET)

First quarter

Texans 10, Lions 0

8:53 p.m. — FIELD GOAL HOUSTON! Fairbarn’s 34-yard kick is good, giving the Texans a double-digit lead with 2:09 in the first. Stroud’s scoring drive lasting just over four minutes, eight plays and 41 yards. 

8:51 p.m. — Facing first-and-goal, Mixon takes it again for two and Texans lineman Tunsil was injured during the play, appearing to roll his ankle. Stroud’s next pass is incomplete intended for Mixon, then he’s sacked for a loss of five by Houston to bring up fourth-and-goal from the 16.

James Houston with the third-down sack 😤#DETvsHOU | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/nbuoAfZ4PL

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 11, 2024

8:49 p.m. — Mixon is having himself a night, as he takes a short pass from Stroud all over the field for a gain of 36 to the Lions three. With first-and-goal on the line, Scruggs is flagged for offensive holding, setting Houston back to the 13.

Joe Mixon has the @HoustonTexans inside the five yard line after a 36 yard run!

📺: #DETvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/jvGojxs2QW

— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2024

8:47 p.m. — Stroud’s favorite weapon tonight appears to be Dell, when he hits him twice for 16 yards total to the Detroit 41. Mixon takes it for two on the next handoff, bringing up second-and-eight.

8:42 p.m. — LIONS PUNT. A flag flies just after the ball is snapped the next play, and Detroit is called for delay of game. Now third-and-long at the 25, Goff hits LaPorta for nine but it’s not enough to save the drive. Detroit will punt deep in its own half with 7:08 on the clock.

8:40 p.m. — Fairbarn boots it for a touchback, and Goff will start with it on the 30. Montgomery rushes for no gain as Pitre takes him down, then the QB can’t find Williams deep up the middle. The ball is nearly intercepted, bringing up third-and-ten.

Texans 7, Lions 0

8:36 p.m. — THE TEXANS ARE ON THE BOARD! Stroud hands it off to Mixon, who takes it around the left edge with a sea of green in front of him. The RB scores his seventh rushing touchdown of the year and Fairbarn’s kick is good. Houston is up seven with 7:46 in the first.

BALLIN’ IN THE MIX ‼️

📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/5BJtj9YXRy

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 11, 2024

8:35 p.m. — Stroud hits Stover for two before Houston takes a timeout with second-and-goal as the clock was winding down. There is 7:50 to go in the quarter with the Texans at the eight looking to punch in the first score of the night.

8:34 p.m. — The Lions defense comes up with a big stop on second-and-eight, downing Mixon in the backfield for a loss of eight. Facing third-and-long, Stroud finds Metchie for 16, hitting him around the 15 before the WR gets inside the 10.

8:32 p.m. — Mixon takes two carries for no gain, then Stroud finds Dell for a 13 yard gain to save the drive. Now at the Lions 20 with a first down, Mixon powers forward for two more into the red zone.

8:30 p.m. — INTERCEPTION HOUSTON! Goff’s pass intended for Gibbs is tipped on the bubble and picked off by Ward, who is taken down at the Detroit 33. Stroud will get his first snap just outside the red zone with 12:55 on the clock.

Houston, we have a TIP DRILL! Jimmie Ward with the pick!

📺: #DETvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UaVhcU3BBJ

— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2024

8:27 p.m. — Montgomery gets his first handoff of the drive for four, then Goff hits Williams but he’s stuffed for no gain. Detroit is also called for ineligible man downfield, pushing the offense back to the 41 with second-and-long to go.

8:25 p.m. — Goff’s first pass is a rare incompletion, then Gibbs takes it for five to bring up third down. St. Brown makes the first catch of the game off a pitch from Goff  in the backfield, running it off the left edge for a first down at the Lions 42.

Meet the starters on offense@SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/9udCkXitcv

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 11, 2024

8:20 p.m. — Detroit has won the toss and will take the ball to start the game. The Texans are set to kick off at home.

Pregame

8:10 p.m. — There are five minutes to go before kickoff tonight, a game that is bound to deliver on many levels. The Lions 11th ranked defense goes up against the 12th ranked Houston offense, and Detroit’s top 15 rushing game rivals the Texans’ 14th ranked passing attack.

7:50 p.m. — Keep an eye on Houston’s uniforms tonight. Called the Texans’ Battle Red gear, the team is debuting their alternates on the biggest stage.

Come for the @HoustonTexans uniform heat 🔥
Stay for the handshake game 🤝

📺: #DETvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cDi4oaOaLq

— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2024

7:20 p.m. — An hour remains before Texas meets Michigan on SNF, and The Sporting News has been covering the matchup for the past week. Here are some of the best headlines to catch up on ahead of kickoff:

7 p.m. — Both teams have released their inactive players for the matchup tonight. For the Lions, former Browns pass rusher Za’Darius Smith will not suit up yet because his former team has a bye this week.

On a positive note, Detroit gets back edge Josh Paschal after missing him for two games following the removal of a non-cancerous mass from his shoulder. Taylor Decker is back on defense as well after injuring his shoulder in practice Thursday.

#DETvsHOU inactives presented by Henry Ford Health pic.twitter.com/zuzU3aS9Us

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 10, 2024

For Houston, WR Nico Collins is out after being activated off the IR just yesterday. However, WR Tank Dell is back after his status was questionable heading into the game.

Tonight’s inactives for #DETvsHOU ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CmCbI5oU0A

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 10, 2024

6:25 p.m. — The betting picture for tonight is an interesting one, with Detroit making up the most-bet team to cover the spread on Sunday, per NBC Sports.

The most-bet team to cover on Sunday? The Detroit Lions. 👀

(via @DKSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/d59f1CRgCH

— NBC Sports Bet (@NBCSportsBet) November 10, 2024

6:10 p.m. — We are just over two hours from kickoff in Houston, both teams have arrived at NRG Stadium. The Lions are in search of their seventh consecutive victory and sole possession of the NFC North lead, and the Texans are looking to get back in the win column for the first time since Oct. 27 versus the Colts.

Lions vs. Texans start time

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 10
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Lions and Texans are set to kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday night. The game will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

MORE: Why C.J. Stroud will be the NFL’s next highest-paid player

What channel is Lions vs. Texans on today?

• TV channel (national): NBC (U.S) | TSN1/3/4/5, CTV (Canada)
• Live stream: Peacock, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)

“Sunday Night Football” between the Lions and Texans will be broadcast on NBC, with fans looking to stream the game able to turn toward Peacock or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

MORE: Stream Lions vs. Texans live on Fubo (free trial)

Canadian viewers can find the game on CTV or any of TSN1, 3, 4 or 5, and can stream the game through DAZN.

Lions schedule 2024

Here’s a look at Detroit’s upcoming schedule after Week 10.

*Thanksgiving Day

Texans schedule 2024

Here’s how the Texans’ next few weeks look after their matchup against the Lions.