If there was one player of the Detroit Lions who was greatly relieved after their win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, it was cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Gardner helped the Lions fend off the Texans, 19-17, at Lucas Oil Stadium and end their nine-game losing streak dating back to last season.
The 25-year-old Gardner registered five total tackles and two passes defended, as their injury-stricken defense held on. After the victory, he could not help but gloat, albeit a little jokingly, on X.
“Hey, guys, won in the United States today,” wrote the two-time All-Pro.
Before the game, Gardner had not won in the United States in 647 days. Last year, the Colts acquired him in a midseason trade with the New York Jets in exchange for Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks.
Gardner's last win was in Week 10, although the game against the Atlanta Falcons was held in Germany. Afterward, the Colts suffered seven straight losses and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year, an unfortunate ending to a promising start.
Gardner's last victory in the United States was in December 2024, when the Jets upset the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.
His tongue-in-cheek post went viral, garnering 2.3 million views as of this writing.
The two-time Pro Bowler should treat Spencer Shrader to a steak dinner—or at least a meal at Culver's—as the kicker scored the game-winning field goal from 53 yards.
Funnily enough, Gardner will play outside the United States again in Week 4, as they will battle the Washington Commanders in London.
Perhaps he should make it a fish-and-chips treat for Shrader.