Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams has been one of the most electrifying players on the roster this season, and his standout Thanksgiving performance against the Green Bay Packers only strengthened that status. He hauled in seven passes for 144 yards and a touchdown — his third game of the year topping the 100-yard mark.
At 7-5, Detroit is clinging to its postseason hopes, leaving almost no margin for missteps as the season winds down.
Their upcoming challenge is a difficult one: a primetime clash at Ford Field against a Dallas Cowboys team riding a three-game winning streak. Dallas is coming off a narrow 31-28 win over Kansas City on Thanksgiving, just a week after edging the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The high stakes and tight playoff race have turned Detroit’s Week 14 meeting with Dallas into a near must-win for both squads.
Complicating matters is the absence of Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions’ top receiver, who suffered an ankle injury in the Green Bay game and is expected to miss several weeks. That elevates the pressure on Williams to deliver as Detroit’s top offensive option.
But Williams isn’t stressing.
“We’ve played these guys a couple times since I’ve been in the league, so we know what they’re about, we know their DBs, and we know how to go after them,” Williams said about preparing for Dallas’ defense. “Big credit to the coaches — they put in the extra work and show us what they see. And we put in extra work too. We go back and forth on how to attack them. We’ve got plenty of ways to do it, and Thursday should be a good day for the offense.”
Williams also brushed aside outside narratives about his breakout year or fans suggesting he’s “proving doubters wrong.”
“I don’t really pay attention to that,” he said. “People are going to think whatever they want. I just try to do my job as well as I can.”
With Detroit’s season hanging in the balance and only a short week to prepare, the Lions need Williams to stay productive — especially after a painful miscue in Week 13.
Taking Ownership of Costly Fourth-Down Drop
Although Williams has been more integrated into the offense and has delivered several big plays, he couldn’t shake the frustration from a crucial fourth-quarter drop during the loss to Green Bay.
Trailing 31-21 and facing fourth-and-3 at the Packers’ 21-yard line, Jared Goff fired a pass slightly behind Williams. After the game, Goff said the placement was on him — but Williams refused to let his quarterback shoulder the blame.
“It’s a drop. That’s why I reacted the way I did after the play,” Williams explained on Monday. “No matter where the ball is, as a receiver you have to make the play. The quarterback shouldn’t be blamed — that’s on me.”
He said the moment felt like a missed turning point for the entire team.
“He trusted me with that opportunity. I need to convert that and move the chains,” he said. “If I make that catch, it could change the whole game. Whatever happened before doesn’t matter — that play is what matters, and I need to come down with it.”
Despite the mistake, Williams still turned in a strong outing and continues to build a solid season. Through 12 games, he has recorded 38 catches for 706 yards and six touchdowns — a significant step forward for the fourth-year wideout.
