For Dan Campbell, it’s a privilege to coach in the Thanksgiving game. And, in fact, since he was a tight end for the Lions and Dallas Cowboys, he played in more than a few of them.
He’ll coach his third Turkey Day game at Ford Field when the Lions (8-2) host the Green Bay Packers (4-6) at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
“It’s over the break, it’s Thanksgiving, all the families are getting together, it’s the first game that’s on. I still think it’s something special, I do, I believe that,’’ said Campbell who grew up in Texas as a big fan of Tom Landry.
“It’s Detroit, Dallas it’s always been known for that. I know they have the late game now — I do, I think it’s special and it’s a privilege to be able to play on Thanksgiving and everybody’s watching – all your family, all your friends,’’ Campbell said. “And this is the type of game you come out of and somebody you went to school with in second grade is texting you and you forgot until he texts you. Family members, everything. It’s cool like that, it’s special.’’
By the way, he said it’s true about his second-grade buddy.
Not only is it special because of the holiday and national audience, but it’s a key divisional game for the NFC North-leading Lions. They beat the Packers in Week 4 and are 2-0 in the division.
So Campbell would like to break the string of six straight Thanksgiving losses for a few reasons.
“We’re trying to turn over a new leaf here, trying to do something different and do some things that haven’t been done for a while,’’ Campbell said.
Five things to watch:
1. Jared Goff’s three interceptions against the Bears wil become a distant memory if he drives the offense against the Packers for the win. Goff excelled when it mattered on Sunday. It’s like he’s built for the two-minute drive. “I think it’s having a guy that understands those (two-minute ) plays, understands what they’re doing in the coverage, where’s your guy at? Where’s your best matchup? And doing that all by just keeping your composure and that’s what he did,’’ Campbell said. “I mean, he didn’t get frazzled by it. I thought he sat in the pocket and he made good decisions with the football and he was just comfortable, he was comfortable.” In the earlier win at Green Bay he was 19 of 28 for 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
2. Between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions’ run game has not let the offense down. The complementary duo is a major reason the Lions’ have the second best total offense in the NFL. Gibbs continues to grow. Montgomery scored three rushing touchdowns in the first matchup with the Packers and has eight on the season.
3. The defense struggled early in the win over the Bears, but came back strong. Still missed tackles were an issue for most of the game. It’s not the first time that has been an issue. Again, when it mattered most – in the last four minutes – the defense was solid.
4. Stopping the run was key to the first win at Green Bay. They were held to just 27 rushing yards. The Packers will be without running backs Aaron Jones (knee) and Emmanuel Wilson (shoulder). Both were injured in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Chargers.
5. The Lions must find a way to create more turnovers and at the same time don’t turn the ball over. Goff’s three interceptions were an abnormality – he had thrown just five in the first nine games – but they also lost a fumble on a return. This is a key statistic as the season progresses.
PREDICTION: Lions 34, Packers 17. The Lions are 7.5-point favorites. Just can’t see them losing at home to the Packers.
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