DETROIT — Dan Campbell is eager to experience a joyful Thanksgiving for the first time in four years. The head coach of the Detroit Lions has seen his team lose seven consecutive games on this festive holiday, including three straight since he took over the role. He acknowledged that these losses have a significant impact on family gatherings post-game.
“Ask my wife; she’ll tell you,” Campbell mentioned. “That’s why she’s hoping for a victory because she knows I’m not pleasant when we lose. We all want this win.”
Currently leading the NFC with a record of 10-1, the Lions are favorites against the struggling Chicago Bears, who sit at 4-7, in their Thanksgiving matchup at Ford Field. Betting odds indicate a significant point spread in favor of Detroit.
The Bears have experienced a rough patch, suffering five consecutive losses, including three that went down to the wire. Lions quarterback Jared Goff is wary of underestimating the situation, as past holiday losses have dampened his spirits.
“I don’t enjoy being in a bad mood around family,” Goff said. “No one does. Winning this game means a lot so I can relish my Thanksgiving dinner with my loved ones. This would be my first opportunity to do that here, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
On the other side, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who was selected first overall in this year’s NFL Draft in Detroit, has begun to show significant progress under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. After a challenging period that led to the dismissal of Shane Waldron, Williams expressed appreciation for Brown’s understanding of both him and the team.
Following a strong performance against the Green Bay Packers, Williams delivered one of his best games against the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns in a game that ended in overtime. He has set a franchise rookie record with 2,356 passing yards and hasn’t turned the ball over in his last four outings, staying interception-free for five straight games.
“He’s a rookie quarterback who, in my opinion, hasn’t even begun to tap into his potential,” Brown stated. “It’s my role to help him improve while ensuring the entire team remains focused. It’s a collective effort.”
The Lions have achieved a remarkable start at 10-1 for the first time in nearly a century and have a chance to secure an 11th win in their first 12 games, an unprecedented milestone for the franchise. The team is on a nine-game winning streak, the longest since their 10-0 start in 1934, bolstering their status as Super Bowl contenders for the first time.
Detroit has recorded double-digit wins in consecutive seasons for the first time, with a franchise-record 22 victories over this two-year stretch.
Conversely, the Bears, who had a late-season surge last year, are struggling defensively this season. Defensive struggles have allowed Goff to perform poorly against them in 2023, including a game where he threw three interceptions and a season-low passer rating.
“They got the better of us twice,” Goff admitted.
This season, the Bears’ defensive unit has taken a downturn, currently ranked 17th after being fifth in the league earlier in the year. The decline has been characterized by noticeable lapses, starting with a loss to the Commanders on a last-second play, where a miscommunication led to an unmarked receiver scoring a touchdown.
In a close loss against Green Bay a couple of weeks ago, a defensive misstep allowed for a lengthy completion that set up the winning touchdown. Last week, the Vikings notably outperformed them with 452 yards and 30 points on the board.
“Sometimes adjustments are necessary, even in difficult situations,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington commented.