C.J. Stroud shoulders blame after Texans' collapse vs. Lions - ESPN

HOUSTON — A frustrated C.J. Stroud shouldered the responsibility Sunday night after the Houston Texans blew a 16-point halftime lead against the Detroit Lions, saying, «This game is on me.»

The second-year quarterback placed the blame on himself and the offense for the second-half woes that sunk the Texans in their 26-23 loss to Detroit. Houston's defense forced Lions quarterback Jared Goff into five interceptions, the most in a prime-time game since former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees had the same total in 2012 against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Texans (6-4) became the second team since 1933 to lose a game in which they caught five interceptions and led by at least 15. Previously, teams were 373-1-1 when leading by at least 15 and snagging five interceptions. The other time a team lost in that fashion was in Week 11 of 1970, when the Chicago Bears lost to the Baltimore Colts 21-20 despite Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas throwing five interceptions, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

«Definitely should have won this game,» Stroud said. «My job is to lead the offense to score points, and I didn't do that today.… We really should have put them away after the first half. It's really on the offense.»

Second-half woes have been the theme for the Texans. This season they have been outscored by 59 points after halftime, with that differential ranking 31st in the league. Against Detroit they scored zero points, fueling the Lions' comeback.

In the first half, Stroud led the Texans to 23 points while throwing for 164 yards and a touchdown. But in the second half, he threw for 68 yards, completed 39% of his throws and had two interceptions in the third quarter, with one occurring in the end zone when the Texans were up