"Bro bet on the Lions" - NFL fans lose their minds as C. J. Stroud gets strip-sacked by Texans lineman

The Houston Texans led 23-7 at halftime in their Sunday Night Football clash against the Detroit Lions, but blew the lead in less than 25 minutes of game time, making it a tied contest with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Texans' offense, which looked unstoppable in the first half, completely disappeared in the second, and the Lions managed to mount the comeback, despite quarterback Jared Goff throwing five interceptions in an uncharacteristic performance.

While some of his decisions were questionable, none were as inexplicable as Houston's offensive tackle Tytus Howard strip-sacking teammate C.J. Stroud. On a busted pass play on 3rd-and-10, the Texans quarterback was about to get swarmed by Lions defenders, and the lineman rushed to his teammate's aid to ensure he didn't fumble the ball.

However, he astonishingly knocked the ball loose out of Stroud's hands, but fortunately, his teammates were on hand to ensure they recovered it.

Fans on social media were perplexed and poked fun at Howard. Here are some of their comments:

The most popular theory among fans was that the lineman was trying to win a bet:

"When your parlay includes a fumble" - Quipped @intelligentzmby

"The lineman bet the over on fumbles lost" - Claimed @5x49ers

"He either got CTE or money on the Lions" - Said @lildamivert

Texans blow massive lead to lose second straight game

The Texans were forced to punt after Howard's error and the Lions capitalized, as kicker Jake Bates converted a difficult field goal attempt from, a franchise record, 58 yards out to level the scores.

Houston's offense finally woke up and embarked on a nine-play, 30-yard drive, and gave their kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn an opportunity from 58 yards out. However, he pushed it wide left and gave the Lions a short field and 1:51 on the clock to set up the game-winning score.

An 11-yard connection between Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown helped Detroit get in Bates' field goal range. They burned time off the clock with a couple of run plays that netted three yards and set up a 52-yard field goal attempt for their kicker.

Bates' attempt looked destined to cannon off the upright and send the game to overtime, but the ball crept in between by inches to give the Lions a walk-off win.