Texans Top Lions in Turkey Day Thriller

Leon Halip/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- Shayne Graham hit a 32-yard game-winning field goal with 2:21 left in overtime, as the Houston Texans (10-1) topped the Detroit Lions, 34-31.

The Lions (4-7) lost for the ninth straight time on Thanksgiving Day. They actually never trailed until the final play of the game.

Matthew Stafford threw for 441 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.

"We had our opportunities to win it...both teams did, "Stafford said. "Didn't catch many breaks and couldn't capitalize on the couple we needed too."

One of those blown opportunities occurred in the third quarter, when Lions head coach Jim Schwartz threw a challenge flag on a Justin Forsett 81-yard play that was ruled a touchdown. If reviewed the play most likely would have been overturned, but plays that are ruled touchdowns are automatically reviewed and the new rule states if you throw a challenge flag it is an automatic 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and the play won't be challenged.

"I know that we can't challenge a scoring play and I overreacted," Schwartz said. "I was so mad that they didn't call him down because he was obviously down on the field. I had the flag out of my pocket before he even scores the touchdown. That's all my fault. I overreacted in that situation and it cost us a touchdown."

Arian Foster rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

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NFL Preview: Texans at Lions

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- The Houston Texans will head to Detroit to build on their 9-1 season on Thursday against the Lions.

Houston takes a four-game winning streak into Thursday and quarterback Matt Schaub is coming off a game in which he passed for 527 yards -- tied for the second-most in an NFL game -- and a franchise-best five touchdowns in the team's win over the Jaguars last Sunday.

This will be the Texans first taste of playing on Thanksgiving; the Lions are 33-37-2 on Turkey Day.

"It's always exciting to be able to have a big Thanksgiving Day at home," said Lions defensive end Ndamukong Suh.  "I look forward to it every single year."

The Lions (4-6) are coming off a 24-20 loss to the Packers but Schaub isn’t looking past the Lions' defensive front line.

“Everyone on their defensive front’s very good, he’s [Suh] a good football player,” said Schaub.  “Our guys up front are ready for the challenge.  We’ve just got to go play ball.”

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Texans' Brian Cushing Out for Season

NFL via Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- The Texans suffered a big blow on Wednesday when the team announced that linebacker Brian Cushing will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn left knee ligament.

Cushing was hurt during the second quarter of Houston's 24-17 win over the New York Jets on Monday night on a low block by guard Matt Slauson.

"A big blow for our team," Kubiak said. "We have to have guys pick it up around him and we've got to find a way to move forward. We're all just disappointed for him. It's a tough day for him."

The Texans (5-0) will take on the Packers (2-3) on Sunday night and Kubiak expects his team to step up in that position.

"I do know what this group is made of and I know what they're capable of," Kubiak said, "and we'll find a way to work through it and somebody else will come out of this and become a good player for us. I have a lot of confidence in that."

Tim Dobbins came in after Cushing was sidelined on Monday and finished with four tackles and a pass deflection.  Kubiak has said Dobbins is "option No. 1" to fill the void.

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Texans' Andre Johnson Hurts Groin in Practice

Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson pulled a muscle in his groin during practice on Sunday morning. 

Head coach Gary Kubiak does not believe that the injury is serious, but Johnson has a long history of injuries in his career. 

"We don't think it's anything significant," Kubiak said. "Obviously, Andre's worked so hard to get back and get back on the field full speed, so it's disappointing. But I don't think we're staring at anything significant."

Johnson missed nine games last season with hamstring injuries and had arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring, which sidelined him for 3-4 weeks during the teams' organized activities. 

Kubiak expects Johnson to miss a few practices, but no timetable is set right now. 

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Houston Texans Give New Contracts To Kubiak And Smith

Bob Levey/Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- The Houston Texans and head coach Gary Kubiak agreed to a new three-year contract the team announced Thursday, which will keep the 50-year-old in the Lone Star state through 2014.

The team also announced Thursday that they have given general manager Rick Smith a four-year contract extension, set to run through 2016. Financial terms on either deal were not disclosed.

“Stability is very important,” Texans chairman and CEO Bob McNair said. “All of these people work very well together, and they are committed to bringing a championship to Houston. That’s our goal, and that’s what we work for every day, and so I’m real pleased that we are able to bring this about.”

Last season, the Texans won their first-ever AFC South title with a record of 10-6.

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Texans Clean Out Lockers

Andy Lyons/Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- The Houston Texans had a season to remember in 2011. 

They got into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and then won that game.  But in the next round, they couldn't find a way to score against a tough Ravens' defense and headed into a long off-season.

They suffered a tough break when quarterback Matt Schaub went out with a month and a half to go in the regular season with an injury.  Then back-up quarterback T.J. Yates came in and found a way to get them into the playoffs by winning the division.

"It was a wild season, those first ten weeks I didn't have a jersey on," said Yates from his locker on Monday.  "I've got a lot to be proud of this season and a lot to learn from so I can move forward in my career."

With the return of Schaub next year, head coach Gary Kubiak knows he has a solid back-up ready in Yates.  But Kubiak isn't looking towards next year just yet.

"I don't think in all my years in this business, this day comes no matter what, whether you win a championship or don't, you've got to check players out for the season," said Kubiak.  "I've never been around a group of guys that talk more positive about each other and how good a locker room we had."

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Texans Win First Playoff Game In Franchise History

Jamie Squire/Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- This is truly a season to remember so far for the Houston Texans and their fans. For the first time in franchise history, the team made the playoffs. Now, they also have their first playoff victory after the team's 31-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Houston rookie quarterback T.J. Yates, who started the season as the team's third-string quarterback, threw for 159 with a touchdown while running back Arian Foster ran for 153 yards while scoring two touchdowns. While Foster had a big game on offense, rookie defensive end J.J. Watt made his presence felt on defense. Watt intercepted Dalton in the second quarter for a touchdown, and also added a sack later on.

"He's been exceptional, I mean he's played like a four or five year player," Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said referring to Watt's touchdown. "That was a huge play because it gave us a lot of momentum going in at halftime then we came out in the second half and played good football.

The Texans will move on to face the Baltimore Ravens next week.

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Texans Coordinator Phillips Taking Medical Leave

NFL via Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- Another week, another member of the Houston Texans team is out of action, only this time it's one of their coaches. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will have surgery this week for a kidney condition; the procedure will keep him away from the team for about 10 days.

The 64-year old Phillips had spent the previous five seasons as the Dallas Cowboys head coach before joining the Texans' staff. Phillips have helped transform a previously mediocre Texans defense into one of the best in the entire NFL.

"The most important thing is Wade's health, that's where we're at right now," Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. "He needs to go get this done and the doctors feel very good about it, Wade feels very good about it."

Linebackers coach Reggie Herring will take over for Phillips during his absence.

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Season Over for Texans Quarterback Matt Schaub: ESPN

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub will be out for the remainder of the season due to a Lisfranc injury. Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak said that the injury occurred late in the second quarter after a quarterback sneak attempt.

This a huge blow to a team with the best record in the AFC (7-3), and are seeking its first playoff appearance in franchise history.

Replacing Schaub as the team's starting quarterback will be former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, who's in his second season with the team. Despite not taking a single snap last season, Leinart is confident he can fill in nicely for the injured Schaub.

"That's what I've wanted for a long time, and that's what I've worked hard for every day and prepared for every day," Leinart said. "It's a great opportunity. I'm just excited about the chance."

Leinart will take over a Texans team that is ranked eighth in the NFL in offense at 396.2 yards per game.

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