By Moses Joshua 
Costly fourth-quarter penalty now followed by a league fine as James Houston’s eventful return to Detroit takes another turn
A former Detroit Lions defender is once again in the spotlight, this time for reasons that extend beyond the final whistle. Dallas Cowboys edge rusher James Houston, once a promising young talent in Detroit, has been disciplined by the NFL following a late hit on Lions quarterback Jared Goff during last week’s game — a moment that proved pivotal on the field and costly afterward.
League Issues Fine After Decisive Fourth-Quarter Play
The NFL confirmed Saturday that Houston was fined $5,722 for the fourth-quarter hit on Goff, which came moments after a 29-yard completion to wide receiver Jameson Williams. The late hit resulted in an additional 13-yard penalty, moving the Lions to the 3-yard line.
Detroit capitalized immediately. On the very next play, Jahmyr Gibbs punched in a rushing touchdown, extending the Lions’ lead to 37–27. Though the two teams traded scores over the remaining minutes, the damage had been done. The Lions held on for a win that carried significant postseason implications.
A Win That Reshaped Detroit’s Playoff Picture
The victory delivered a major boost to Detroit’s playoff outlook. The Lions climbed to the No. 8 spot in the NFC standings and increased their chances of reaching the postseason to 39%, according to The Athletic’s playoff calculator.
Even more remains at stake. With a matchup looming against the conference-leading Los Angeles Rams — led by former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford — Detroit has an opportunity to take a substantial leap. A win would push the Lions’ playoff odds to 60%, further underlining how impactful every moment, and every penalty, has become.
James Houston’s Uneven Path Since Detroit
Houston’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. Drafted in the sixth round by the Lions, he quickly emerged as a breakout performer, recording 8.0 sacks in just seven games during his rookie season. That early promise, however, proved difficult to sustain.
An injury limited him to only two games in his second year, and his role steadily diminished. Detroit ultimately moved on, cutting Houston last year before he signed a two-year, $2.75 million deal with the Cowboys.
Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News detailed the reasoning behind the Lions’ decision, pointing to Houston’s struggles to evolve beyond a singular skill set.
“In training camp before this season, the Lions continued to try to improve other parts of Houston’s game but eventually gave up on the experiment, allowing him to just focus on rushing the passer,” Bianchi wrote. “He has 13 pressures and just one sack in 2024, even with there being a clear vacancy on the edge following several key injuries.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell echoed that sentiment after Houston’s release.
“It just didn’t. We had James up for a number of games, came back off of injury, got back, and it just never quite worked out,” Campbell said, via the Detroit News.
A Resurgence in Dallas, Despite the Setback
While the fine marks an unwelcome moment, Houston’s time in Dallas has largely been productive. He has registered 5.5 sacks and earned renewed attention for his impact off the edge. In October, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon highlighted Houston’s resurgence.
“By no means has the 26-year-old journeyman replaced Micah Parsons, but he’s got 3.5 sacks in his last four games and his impact has gone beyond that on the edge in Dallas,” Gagnon wrote on October 8.
For Houston, the fine serves as a reminder of how thin the margins are in the NFL — where a split-second decision can swing a game, reshape playoff races, and bring swift discipline from the league.