Detroit Lions butchered by Green Bay Packers 29-22 for 7th straight Thanksgiving Day loss
The Detroit Lions performed Thursday just how America has expected for decades on Thanksgiving Day. Except this season's holiday was supposed to be different.
The Lions were 8½-point favorite vs. their division rival Green Bay Packers, but instead laid a turkey, succumbing to a 29-22 beatdown in their annual NFL Thanksgiving game at Ford Field. The Lions (8-3) have now lost seven straight on Thanksgiving, last winning in 2016 vs. Minnesota.
The Lions had been off to their best start since 1962 (that team got as far as 11-2) after Sunday's comeback win over the Chicago Bears, which they could not duplicate against a bang-up Packers (5-6) defense.
Jared Goff had three turnovers for the second consecutive game, losing three fumbles including one that was returned for a touchdown. Goff was pressured on nearly half of his dropbacks (21 of 46) and the Lions went 0-for-5 on fourth downs, including a fake punt run on fourth-and-5 with 5:30 left in the third quarter from their own 22-yard line that had no chance. Green Bay scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
The Lions had no answer for Jordan Love (22-for-32 for 268 yards and three touchdowns) and now could drop into a tie with San Francisco at second place in the NFC playoffs. The 49ers are touchdown favorites at Seattle on Thanksgiving night. The Lions are two games ahead of Minnesota in the NFC North.
The Lions next play Dec. 3 at NFC South-leading New Orleans.
This story will be updated shortly.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions butchered by Packers for 7th straight Thanksgiving loss
