Thanksgiving Defeat: Lions in a Slump
After the Detroit Lions’ defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, coach Dan Campbell admitted that the team is in a complicated situation, with a 7-5 record. Campbell, addressing the team in the Ford Field locker room, was honest about the current situation, acknowledging that the chances of winning the NFC North for a third consecutive year are now smaller.The Lions have had an irregular performance, with a record of 1-8 in their last nine games on Thanksgiving Day. To further complicate matters, the Lions faced the game with significant injuries, including tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, receiver Kalif Raymond, and starting center Graham Glasgow. In addition, star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown left the game in the first quarter due to an ankle injury and did not return. Campbell estimates that St. Brown could be out of action for one or two weeks. In the absence of St. Brown, Tom Kennedy, a practice squad player, seized the opportunity to shine on offense and special teams, recording four receptions for 36 yards. Isaac TeSlaa also achieved his third receiving touchdown of the season, on a 17-yard pass from Jared Goff, reducing the Lions’ deficit to 24-21 in the third quarter. However, it was wide receiver Jameson Williams who led the Lions’ offense, with seven receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, the most in his career. Goff, although he sought to connect with Williams, lamented an incomplete pass on fourth down in the red zone. The quarterback completed 20 of 26 passes with two touchdowns. Detroit failed to convert on fourth down on two occasions against the Packers and now has a 0-7 record on fourth downs since Week 11, the most attempts without conversion in the league. Campbell, who took over offensive play-calling duties in Week 10, feels that “he can always improve” in that role. The Lions, who averaged 29.6 points per game before the Thanksgiving game, have lost four of their last seven games for the first time since the 2022 season. Campbell concluded: “Ultimately, we didn’t win the game. But, as far as the way I wanted to play that game offensively, that was the vision I had. We just have to convert.”“As I told the team, ‘It’s frustrating, I know. We have a lot to be thankful for even after a loss.’ And look, we’ve dug ourselves a little hole, that’s the bottom line.”
Dan Campbell
