The Detroit Lions aimed to avenge their Week 1 defeat to the Green Bay Packers during this year’s Thanksgiving Day matchup.

Optimism surrounded the team heading into the game, fueled in part by the surprising return of Frank Ragnow, who came out of retirement to rejoin the franchise that drafted him in 2018.

Thanksgiving carries extra significance for head coach Dan Campbell and his young squad, who broke a streak of holiday losses last season. “This is special, this is a special, special time,” Campbell said in a pregame interview with the team’s flagship radio station. “Not all players get the chance to play games like this late in the season.”

Defense Holds Early, But Injuries Strike

Detroit’s defense limited Green Bay on their opening drive, forcing a field goal after a 12-play series. The Lions’ offense, however, struggled out of the gate. Jared Goff faced consistent pressure, and drives stalled on the first two possessions.

Compounding the early struggles, star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

Lions Respond in Second Quarter

With St. Brown sidelined, the Lions leaned on Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. Green Bay struck first with a touchdown from wideout Dontayvion Wicks, putting Detroit behind 10-0.

Detroit answered with a methodical 10-play, 65-yard drive. Williams hauled in a 22-yard reception over the middle, Gibbs powered the ground game, and David Montgomery finished the drive with a three-yard Wildcat touchdown run.

Jameson Williams Emerges as Key Target

Williams became the go-to receiver after St. Brown’s exit. Following a quiet first quarter, he caught the Lions’ first pass of the game and later added a 25-yard touchdown on a screen play, bringing Detroit within three points at halftime. Tom Kennedy also made a key contribution with a 23-yard catch during the same scoring drive.

Aggressive Calls Backfire

Dan Campbell’s bold approach on fourth-down plays didn’t pay off. Early in the second half, back-to-back unsuccessful rushes by Gibbs led to a turnover on downs. Later, a failed fourth-down attempt at midfield allowed the Packers to take over and extend their lead to 24-14, with Aaron Rodgers’ replacement connecting on a deep 51-yard pass.

Early in the fourth quarter, trailing 31-21, Campbell again opted against a field goal, going for it on fourth down. Goff’s pass to Williams fell incomplete, turning the ball over.

Rookie Wideout Takes Advantage of Opportunity

Despite the deficit, Detroit struck back on their next possession. Goff scrambled for 24 yards, and the drive ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, trimming the Packers’ lead to 31-24. TeSlaa has seen more playing time in recent weeks and capitalized on Kalif Raymond being sidelined with an ankle injury, scoring his first Thanksgiving touchdown.