The Detroit Lions needed a major comeback last weekend against the Chicago Bears. It was mentioned that on a short week, the team wouldn’t have much time to devote to fixing their issues and that take couldn’t have been more on the mark.
The team turned the ball over while not giving the running game or passing attack any sort of ability to create. Special teams were a farce and in a rare instance the coaching staff, led by critical decisions by Dan Campbell, let the Packers score early and often.
Of course, a performance like that doesn’t allow for many studs to be present on a piece like this. The extended week that now comes with playing on a Thursday will allow for some much-needed adjustments and film study.
Dud: Dan Campbell
The going for it on fourth down has been a fun exercise this season for the Lions. There hasn’t been one where it was truly questionable until they did it deep inside their own territory and didn’t convert it on a fake punt. The Packers scored off that “turnover” after Dan Campbell opted not to trust his defense.
Did that cost them the game? No, but it was a major part in a chapters book worth of issue for the Lions on Thanksgiving.
Dud: Offensive Line
Three sacks, two tackles for a loss, and a whopping 12 quarterback hits for the Packers against the Lions. No quarterback will have time to work under those circumstances. The offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL this season but on Thanksgiving, they looked like one of the worst.
Dud: Jared Goff
Six turnovers in the last two weeks combined. Three interceptions last week and then three fumbles this week, one resulted in a loss and one resulted in a last-minute win. The team overall is playing well enough to keep them in games but if Jared Goff can get things figured out then this team can take the next step that everyone thinks they can.
Dud: Aaron Glenn
Aaron Glenn has had a rough season as defensive coordinator for the Lions after a hot start to the season. Since the Ravens loss the team has not been the same and adjustments seemingly have been ignored in favor of trying to get back on track with their same old methods. The schedule is filled with divisional opponents and the Broncos and Cowboys to end the season, defense needs to figure things out quickly.
Dud: Waxing Gibbous Moon Phase
Going back to 1966, the Lions had played 12 times on the day of a Waxing Gibbous moon phase. All 12 times they had lost and on Thanksgiving day it was once again a Waxing Gibbous moon phase. The results continued and while Lions fans may be used to curses from former players, the moon being against the team is a level of unfair that many didn’t know existed.