By Moses Joshua 
Aggressive fourth-down attempts and untimely injuries derail Lions’ Thanksgiving hopes in 31-24 defeat
A Thanksgiving Loss to Remember — and Forget
The Detroit Lions entered their annual Thanksgiving clash with renewed optimism, fueled in part by the surprising return of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow. The team aimed to avenge a Week 1 loss to division rival Green Bay Packers and keep pace in the competitive NFC North.
“This is special, this is a special, special time and it’s something that not all players get to do in this league,” head coach Dan Campbell said ahead of the game. “Play these types of games, this late in the year, on Thanksgiving Day. It’s special to be a part of.”
Unfortunately for Detroit, the afternoon quickly turned into a test of resilience as injuries and high-risk play-calling overshadowed their early hopes.
Defensive Struggles and Early Injuries
Detroit’s defense managed to slow Green Bay on their opening drive, forcing a field goal after a 12-play march. But the Lions’ offense sputtered early, with quarterback Jared Goff under consistent pressure. The loss of star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to an ankle injury in the first quarter further complicated the game plan.
Without St. Brown, Detroit leaned heavily on Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite a strong response in the second quarter, Green Bay capitalized on a controversial end-zone call awarding Dontayvion Wicks a touchdown, giving the Packers a 10-0 lead.
Jameson Williams Steps Up
Forced into a larger role, Williams helped keep Detroit within striking distance. He hauled in a 22-yard reception to start the Lions’ first successful drive, and later broke a tackle on a 25-yard screen pass for a touchdown, trimming the deficit to three points at halftime.
“Jameson really showed up today,” Campbell noted after the game. “When your top guy goes down, you look for others to step in, and he did exactly that.”
Campbell’s Fourth-Down Gambles Backfire
Detroit’s aggressive approach on fourth-down became a critical factor in the defeat. Early in the second half, two failed attempts to convert with Jahmyr Gibbs handed possession back to Green Bay, who immediately extended their lead with a 51-yard touchdown connection from Jordan Love to Christian Watson.
Later in the fourth quarter, trailing by 10 points, Campbell elected to go for it rather than kick a field goal. Jared Goff’s pass fell incomplete to Williams, ending the drive and effectively sealing the Lions’ fate.
“Going for it on fourth down has always been part of our identity,” Campbell said postgame. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Today, it didn’t.”
Rookie Wideout Makes the Most of Opportunity
Despite the loss, Detroit found a silver lining in rookie Isaac TeSlaa. With Kalif Raymond sidelined, TeSlaa caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Goff, marking his first score on Thanksgiving. The third-round pick has seen increased playing time in recent weeks and showcased his ability to step up in crucial moments.
Looking Ahead
The loss drops the Lions to 7-5, leaving them on the outside looking in for the NFC playoff picture. Detroit will need to recover quickly as they face the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers in their next three contests, followed by critical NFC North matchups against the Vikings and Bears.
While Campbell’s fearless approach continues to define Detroit’s identity, Thursday’s high-stakes gambles proved costly against a disciplined Green Bay squad.