Detroit Lions – Page 33

Five things to watch as Lions try to snap Thanksgiving losing streak

Bears have lost 5 straight including recent OT loss to Vikings

Thanksgiving Day hasn’t been such a happy occasion for the Lions for the last seven years. Each game has ended in a loss. Gathering around the table afterward hasn’t been so pleasant.

But this version of the Lions, which has won nine straight games, is different from the rest.

The Lions (10-1) face the Chicago Bears (4-7) at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

For coach Dan Campbell, getting the division win is key and breaking that seven-game losing streak is just gravy.

“I think there’s two things. Number one, get a W, right and it’s a division win that’s why this is huge,’’ Campbell said. “Number two is because the players are going to get a couple of days off. So, they have family, friends in, it’d be nice to feel good about it when you’re with everybody because it’s just not real fun. It’s not real fun to be around. Ask my wife, she’ll tell you. Like that’s why she’s praying for a win big time because she knows that I’m a bear when we don’t win, so we all want it. It is long overdue, but we have to win to win.”

The Bears could come out a little angry after losing to the Vikings, 30-27, in overtime on Sunday. The week before that they lost to the Packers, 20-19.

Five things to watch:

ONE: The next-man-up standard has worked well for the Lions so far, but is there a tipping point? LT Taylor Decker and CB Carlton Davis III are definitely not going to play. WR Kalif Raymond was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and RB David Montgomery were also injured Sunday but Campbell expects they will play. He would have a hard time keeping Montgomery, a former Bear, off the field.

TWO: QB Caleb Williams has gone five straight games (all losses) without throwing an interception but he’s only thrown two touchdown passes in that stretch, both against the Vikings defense. Still he’s a mobile quarterback and is the Bears’ second-leading rusher. “What I’ve been impressed with is just how he has grown, he has grown every game but these last two I really feel like he’s taken off and what they’re doing with him has been really good for him and he just looks very composed,’’ Campbell said. “He doesn’t get frazzled, plays pretty fast, and he’s an accurate passer, big arm, and he’s got some guys that can get open for him.”

THREE: The Lions rushing defense will be tested by D’Andre Swift, the former Lions running back. “They’re going to try to run it, get Swift on the perimeter, Swift’s doing a good job, he’s been a good asset for them,’’ Campbell said.

FOUR: While CB Carlton Davis is out, CB Terrion Arnold, who didn’t play on Sunday, will be active Thursday which could give the secondary a boost. Kindle Vildore struggled last week while replacing him. Caleb Williams has plenty of options including wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, along with rookie tight end Cole Kmet.

FIVE: Preparing in a short week is tough but it’s the same for both teams. “I would say, if we were playing them for the second time this year it can help. It’s the first time, so there’s some new things, you’re still getting the first time of watching all their tape, so I don’t know if being in-division helps much,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “I guess we know their personnel pretty good, they do some similar stuff from last year, but there are some differences, too, that you’ve got to be aware of.”

LIONS INJURY UPDATE: T Taylor Decker (knee) and CB Carlton Davis III (knee, thumb) are out; RB David Montgomery (shoulder) and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) are questionable.

BEARS INJURY UPDATE: DB Elijah Hicks (ankle) and OL Ryan Bates (concussion) are out.

PREDICTION: Lions 35, Bears 21

Injuries could be issue as Lions look to snap Thanksgiving losing streak

ALLEN PARK — It’s Thanksgiving week which means the Detroit Lions are cramming six days of preparation into three.

On Thursday they will try to snap a seven-game Thanksgiving losing streak when they face the Chicago Bears (4-7).

“Nobody likes losing, I don’t want to lose. I don’t want to lose a game, I don’t think any of us do. But it’s more so it’s about a division opponent at home, the next one in front of us, more so than we don’t want to lose the Thanksgiving game,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “We don’t want to lose, period.’’

At the same time, winning on Thanksgiving makes dinner a little tastier. That’s something that center Frank Ragnow longs for. He was drafted by the Lions in 2018 and has never won a Thanksgiving game.

“I’d really like to enjoy Thanksgiving. Usually in the past years it’s been like I don’t really want to talk to my family, all upset about everything. I’d really like to enjoy Thanksgiving and put on a show for the crowd,” Ragnow said.

“It’s such a special unique thing to Detroit, and need to capitalize on it and make it as special as it is,” Ragnow said. “I think we’ve all got that in the back of our mind.”

The coach said this week is about rest, recovery and mental work. The team had a walk-through on Monday with another planned on Tuesday.

Injuries could be an issue for Thursday after the Lions were banged up following Sunday’s 24-6 win at Indianapolis.

Campbell said decisions on some of the injured could come down to the wire. He’s most concerned about the availability of LT Taylor Decker (knee), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee), Carlton Davis III (knee, thumb) and WR Kalif Raymond (foot).

None of them would have practiced on Monday, per the estimated practice report.

RB David Montgomery (shoulder) and DT D.J. Reader (illness) also would not have practiced.

The good injury news is that CB Terrion Arnold (groin), who didn’t play on Sunday, would have had a full practice.

Five reasons the Lions continued their win streak by dropping Colts, 24-6

The Colts continuously shot themselves in the foot, and the Lions took advantage in a 24-6 win on Sunday in Indianapolis. Detroit (10-1) has now won 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.

It marked their ninth straight win and a 10-1 start to the season which ties the 1934 Lions for best start in franchise history.

The records fall like dominos each week.

While praise has been heaped on Jared Goff and the offense from the get-go the defense continues to shine. The Lions have allowed just 12 points — four field goals — in their last 10 quarters.

“We asked a lot of our defense today and they did a great job,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.

The Lions took a 14-6 lead at the half and added another touchdown in the third quarter followed by a 56-yard field goal by Jake Bates.

Campbell once they were able to get the lead they were able to keep the Colts at arm’s length which was the goal.

The Lions once again elevated their road warrior status, earning a perfect 6-0 road record this season. In 2022, Campbell’s second season, the Lions were 0-11-1 on the road with him as coach. Since then they are 16-5. “If you can win on the road you’re normally a pretty darn good team,’’ Campbell said.

Five reasons why Lions won:

ONE: The Colts moved the ball downfield on their first two possessions, but the Lions red zone defense is tough and forced the Colts to settle for field goals. Campbell said typically good red zone teams can run the ball. “We’re really good at shutting down the run,’’ Campbell said. The Colts were 0-for-2 in the red zone, while the Lions were a solid 3-of-4. QB Anthony Richardson started off solidly and was effective running the ball, but he had seven straight incompletions in the second half.

TWO: Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery once again powered the offense combining for 172 scrimmage yards. Gibbs (21 carries, 90 yards) scored a pair of rushing touchdowns while Montgomery (8 carries, 37 yards) had one. Both are a double threat. Montgomery had three catches for 36 yards while Gibbs had three catches for 9 yards. Montgomery went out late with a shoulder injury “We have two bell cows and it’s rare,’’ Goff said. “We do, we have two guys you can hand the ball to a ton. One goes down for a little bit, the other guy steps up. It will happen both ways throughout the year. We’re lucky to have both of them and they do a helluva job.’’ They are the first running back duo in NFL history to each rush for 10-plus TDs in consecutive seasons.

THREE: Jared Goff was Jared Goff. He completed 26 of 36 passes for 269 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions. Sacked three times, Goff remained patient and threw the ball away when he had to.

FOUR: Remember the old days – prior to Campbell’s arrival – when the Lions would often kill themselves with penalties and lost so many games because of it. The Colts hurt themselves with 10 penalties for 75 yards, several of the whistles negated plays that had gained good yardage. Again, credit the Lions defense.

FIVE: The Lions defense adjusted following the loss of Alex Anzalone and cornerback Terrion Arnold. The Colts targeted Kindle Vildor, who filled in for Arnole, often. He struggled a bit but the defense was able to handle business. “It’s honestly just the next man in and no excuses, we have a great room and guys who push each other every day,’’ said Jack Campbell who called the plays in Anzalone’s absence. Arnold was questionable for the game so he may be ready to play on Thursday.

INJURIES: Dan Campbell didn’t have specifics on injuries to Carlton Davis (knee), Montgomery (shoulder), Kalif Raymond (foot) and Taylor Decker (knee and ankle). Decker was able to return to the game but was pulled out again. They have only four days to heal until Thanksgiving.

UP NEXT: Chicago Bears (4-7) at Lions (10-1) at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday at Ford Field.