Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell on Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and his team: "Really good opponent. I've got a lot of respect for what DeMeco's doing over there and this team, man, they play hard, they're physical, they're violent, aggressive, finish on the ball, they've got explosiveness on offense, defense, special teams. This is going to be a really good test for us Sunday night, out at their place, one that we're looking forward to. You respect the brand of football they play with. DeMeco's done a hell of a job going in there, and just the style of play that they have. I think the quarterback's played well, they've got one there. And they're like anybody else, they've had to go through some injuries and stuff this year and they're battling through it and they're still one of the top teams in this League, so they're finding ways to adapt and continue to win. So, it'll be a challenge."
Campbell on the how the Texans have drafted over the last few years: "They've got a lot of young talent that they hit on, and it's funny because most of those players over there are all players that we really were high on too. And so, when you see that and you see some of these players, you're like, 'Man, that was a good one. That was a good pick they got there.' And you see how hard they play and the type of football players they are, and so I do think there's a lot of similarities. There again, I think they've drafted well."
Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson on the Texans Defense: "We've faced some really good ones now over the last few weeks and this is a challenge just like all the other ones have been. Different style, we really haven't seen a team quite like this this year. The wide-nine front, they're attacking, they're penetrating, they're really disruptive and they're really well-coached."
Lions Quarterback Jared Goff on the Texans Defense: "They're good. They're really good. They're really well-coached. They remind me of San Francisco, no surprise – back when I was in L.A. in the division, San Francisco, when DeMeco was there, it was similar. Very good defense and good up front, good at the linebacker position, good at the defensive backs. Really well-coached, sound, they do a good job."
Johnson on the Texans Defensive Front: "They've got talent all over the place right now and this scheme seems to elevate some guys up front for them. I mean, they are just raging off the football. It's hard to simulate in practice. We're going to try to get our show team to do it over the course of the week, but unless you're in it for an extended period of time, it's really hard to do and give us the right look. They're really good at it, they disrupt the quarterback, they make it hard on offensive linemen, they make it hard on tight ends with the defensive ends going right through the V of their neck half the time, so it's a lot going on and, just like you said, the edge guys get a lot of attention, but interior, they can push the pocket and get on the quarterback's lap in a hurry. So, I think a testament to that would be third-and-7 to 10 this week, I've got, call it 27 clips on my cut up, only three conversions and eight sacks. I really haven't seen anything quite like that, so they're doing a phenomenal job, not just on third down, but really throughout. This is a team that thrives on creating negative plays, and it starts up front."
Johnson on the Texans' Secondary: "Man, they bring confidence, they bring swagger, this is group that flies around, lot of respect for their nickel. There's a reason why they play nickel more than anybody else in the League right now. They don't want to take him off the field, (Texans S Jalen Pitre) number 5, Pitre. I mean, he's all over the place, great cover guy, great run defender, they'll blitz him. I really – I think he's kind of a guy that pops off the tape early in the week. (Texans CB Derek) Stingley (Jr.)'s playing really good football, (Texans CB Kamari) Lassiter, for a rookie, is playing really good football on the outsides, and then their safeties are all over the place, making plays as well. So, they mix it up, quarters, spot-drop, man-to-man, I mean, they do it all on the backend. (Texans Defensive Passing Game Coordinator) Cory Undlin's coaching those guys back there and I think the world of him as a coach too. So, schematically, we'll have our hands full trying to find some nuggets on him, but then, personnel-wise, they're really good."
Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn on the Texans: This is a team that's fast, they're physical, they have explosive players at the receiver spot, their running back (Texans RB Joe) Mixon's doing a heck of a job. It seems like he's gotten there and found new life the way he's running the ball and in the passing game, some things he's doing with them. I think this offense creates a number of issues that we have to be really, really careful about, going about operating against them. Obviously, it's the San Francisco system, but you see some things that he's put his own stamp on, so we've got to be good with that."
Glenn on Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud: "Obviously he's growing into one of the better quarterbacks in this League. He's a big man, he has quick release, he's effective when he gets outside the pocket of making plays. He's not a true runner per se, but he can run to create plays. So, the thing that we've got to be careful of is, man, these receivers that he has and the running backs that he has, of not allowing him to be able to just dice us up, getting the ball out to these guys, because they can really make some plays. Listen, this is a good offense, fellas, it's a really good offense. We've got our work cut out for us, but we're up to the challenge."
Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp on the Texans Special Teams Unit: "This group is very explosive. They have a bunch of quick, fast athletes, their returners are very good, physical kick returners, punt returners very explosive players. They have a lot of experience in their group. Their linebackers run really well, they run and hit. Their safeties and their corners can fly on the outside, so their gunners are really fast, their jammers are really fast. Overall, a very talented group."
