The Detroit Lions's comeback spirit — a last-second 26-23 Houston Texans win and an immediate reply to ESPN analyst Ryan Clark's Joe Mixon hype tweet — is a hot topic. The Lions (8-1 NFC North) social media team delivered a definitive response to Clark's pre-game post for Texans (6-4 AFC South) QB Mixon.Just hours before kickoff, former NFL safety Ryan Clark had posted on X - formerly Twitter - stating:"Joe Mixon fantasy owners bout to have a night!"Little did Clark know, Mixon's evening would turn into a forgettable one as the Lions' defense stifled the Texans's rushing attack.Mixon's performance was anything but a dream scenario, as he managed just 46 yards on 25 carries, averaging a meager 1.8 yards per attempt.The Lions' social media team wasted no time replying to Clark's premature proclamation. They reshared Clark's tweet in a sharply-worded post that included NFL analyst Mike Renner's stat tweet. The caption read:"Reality > Fantasy."Houston Texans' play-calling and execution let down Joe Mixon's record-seeking streakHouston Texans RB Joe Mixon (28) is tackled by Detroit Lions CB Carlton Davis III (Credits: IMAGN)For Joe Mixon, the night was not a good one, as the Lions's stifling defense derailed his quest to become the first player in Texans's franchise history to rush for 100 yards in five consecutive games.According to Renner, Mixon's 46-yard, 25-carry performance was the lowest yardage total for a player with 25+ carries since 2013, when Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had 45 yards on 27 carries against the Arizona Cardinals.The Texans's offense struggled to get Joe Mixon and the running game going, a byproduct of predictable play-calling and poor execution up front. As the Houston Chronicle detailed, the Texans frequently ran the ball in passing situations. This strategy has proven disastrous for them this season, resulting in a league-worst -16.3 Expected Points Added (EPA).Additionally, the offensive line's struggles, particularly with new starters Jarrett Patterson at center and Juice Scruggs at left guard, contributed to Mixon's inability to find running lanes."It was a stout front," Mixon acknowledged after the game. "I had my old teammate (Reader) over there, and that boy is a certified run stuffer. And also (McNeill), he's a monster as well. They came out, they were playing physical. It was a physical football game on both sides. And I just felt like when it came down to it, the little miscues and mistakes, that's what killed us."As Detroit continues to exceed expectations on the field, its ability to win the battle of it has become just as integral to its newfound success.
