After years of holiday heartbreak, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and his team are determined to make Thanksgiving a joyous occasion with a win over the Chicago Bears.
A Holiday in Need of a Win
Dan Campbell’s Thanksgiving holidays haven’t been much to celebrate in recent years. The Detroit Lions have lost seven straight Thanksgiving Day games, including all three under Campbell’s tenure. The holiday losses have taken a toll, even off the field.
“Ask my wife, she’ll tell you,” Campbell said, candidly. “That’s why she’s praying for a win big time because she knows that I’m a bear when we don’t win. It is long overdue, but we have to win to win.”
For the Lions, who boast a 10-1 record this season and lead the NFC, a win on Thanksgiving would not only break the streak but also brighten the holiday for Campbell, his team, and their fans.
Jared Goff Shares the Sentiment
Quarterback Jared Goff echoed his coach’s sentiments about the importance of a Thanksgiving win, especially given the impact of past holiday losses on his mood.
“I don’t like being grumpy around family,” Goff admitted. “You want to win this game and be able to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner. It’ll be my first time experiencing that here, and I want to do that.”
With the Lions favored by double digits against the struggling 4-7 Bears, optimism is high that this year might bring a much-needed holiday victory.
Caleb Williams Shows Growth
On the other side, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has shown significant improvement in recent weeks. The No. 1 overall pick has demonstrated poise and growth under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, playing four straight games without a turnover and setting a franchise rookie record with 2,356 passing yards.
Williams’ most recent outing against Minnesota saw him deliver 340 passing yards and two touchdowns, rallying the Bears from an 11-point deficit before an eventual overtime loss.
“That’s a rookie quarterback who, in my opinion, has not even scratched the surface of how good he can be,” Brown said.
Lions’ Historic Momentum
Detroit enters this Thanksgiving game riding a wave of success. At 10-1, the team is having its best season since 1934 and has already set a franchise record for wins across two consecutive seasons.
The Lions’ current nine-game winning streak is their longest in nearly 90 years, and they are now serious contenders for their first Super Bowl. With double-digit wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history, this team has rewritten the narrative in Detroit.
Challenges Ahead for Chicago’s Defense
While the Bears’ defense gave Lions quarterback Jared Goff trouble last season, things have changed drastically this year. Chicago’s defense, which was ranked fifth earlier in the season, has plummeted to 17th and has struggled with key breakdowns during their current skid.
Notable mistakes, like a blown Hail Mary against Washington and late-game lapses against Green Bay and Minnesota, have cost the Bears dearly. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington acknowledged the struggles, saying, “Sometimes you have to reset things under the best of circumstances.”
A Chance to End the Thanksgiving Drought
For Dan Campbell, a victory on Thanksgiving would mean more than just a tally in the win column—it would be a moment of redemption and celebration. Backed by their historic season and riding a wave of momentum, the Lions are poised to make this Thanksgiving one to remember for all the right reasons.
“This team deserves it, the fans deserve it, and my family deserves it,” Campbell said. “We just have to go out there and earn it.”
