Lions Face Setback on Thanksgiving Against Packers
The Detroit Lions endured a challenging defeat on Thanksgiving Day, losing 31-24 to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. This loss not only dampened their playoff aspirations but also marked a turning point in their season, dropping their record to 7-5.
Injury Concerns for Detroit
Compounding the disappointment, the Lions lost star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to injury in the first quarter. St. Brown’s early exit forced Detroit to shift their offensive strategy, placing greater responsibilities on rookie Jameson Williams. Rising to the occasion, Williams recorded an impressive performance with seven receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, earning him a stellar overall offensive grade of 91.2 from Pro Football Focus.
In addition to Williams, Tom Kennedy, who had just been signed to the active roster the night before, stepped up in the absence of Kalif Raymond, who was sidelined with an injury. Kennedy finished with four catches, solidifying his presence among the team’s top performers.
Defensive Struggles Against Green Bay
Despite individual highlights, the Lions’ defense struggled against Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who threw for four touchdowns, including two on crucial fourth downs. Love’s late-game connection with Dontayvion Wicks sealed the victory and highlighted the difficulties Detroit faced in coverage.
Safety Brian Branch was a standout on defense, earning an impressive 83.6 grade. However, linebacker Alex Anzalone and defensive end Marcus Davenport faced criticism for their performances. Davenport, making his return from injury, was particularly ineffective, failing to register any statistics in key areas such as hits, pressures, tackles, or sacks.
Playoff Picture and Upcoming Challenges
At 7-5, the Lions find themselves in a precarious position regarding playoff contention. They hope for favorable outcomes, including a loss from the Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles, which would help Detroit’s standing as they currently sit two games behind the Bears. Fortunately, the Lions hold the head-to-head tiebreaker from their earlier victory over Chicago in Week 2.
Looking ahead, the Lions are set to face the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday in a crucial home matchup that could further impact their postseason hopes.
PFF Player Grades: A Detailed Look
Here’s a breakdown of the highest and lowest graded players from the Lions’ Thanksgiving game, based on Pro Football Focus metrics.
Highest PFF-graded offensive players
WR Jameson Williams — 91.2
QB Jared Goff — 81.0
OT Penei Sewell — 75.0
OG Tate Ratledge — 71.9
WR Tom Kennedy — 69.4
Lowest PFF-graded offensive players
OG Kayode Awosika — 54.9
TE Anthony Firkser — 51.1
C Trystan Colon — 49.6
OT Dan Skipper — 45.8
TE Ross Dwelley — 44.4
Highest PFF-graded defensive players
SS Brian Branch — 83.6
LB Derrick Barnes — 73.8
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad — 71.7
DE Aidan Hutchinson — 69.6
DT Tyleik Williams — 69.5
Lowest PFF-graded defensive players
DE Marcus Davenport — 56.2
LB Alex Anzalone — 52.1
CB Amik Robertson — 46.9
FS Thomas Harper — 45.5
DT Roy Lopez — 39.3
As the Lions look to regroup, every performance will be critical in their quest for a playoff berth. With the season winding down, the pressure is on for Detroit to capitalize on their remaining opportunities.
