DETROIT | Everything was too good in Detroit, with a team that can finally dream until the visit arrives and ruins the Thanksgiving party the Lions remain allergic to.
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The invitation comes from them year after year, but each time they seem like shy hosts who are unable to organize themselves to lighten the atmosphere a little. This time it was the Packers who spoiled the celebrations with a 29-22 victory, but the result was misleading.
From the first play of the game, it was the visitors who decided to blow the house down with a 53-yard bomb from Jordan Love to Christian Watson that set the tone for what was to follow.
The Lions were never really able to set the pace of their highly anticipated day. It was their Thanksgiving party, but the Packers came away with food, drink and a small personal victory, even if their season was going very poorly until that gravy in Detroit.
Recurring scenario
Photo Getty Images via AFP
However, we felt an intoxicating excitement in the city. The fans cling to the hope of better days if their team finally wins. Until she slips into her own boots and falls face first into bitter tasting turkey stuffing.
This scene repeats itself again and again for the Lions and their supporters. The team has lost its last seven Thanksgiving games. Everything pointed to this being the right time, but no.
Head coach Dan Campbell, admired most of the time for his aggressiveness, paid the price for his boldness this time.
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The only time his Lions got a little closer to the Packers with a score of 23-14, he took a big risk that backfired.
At his 23 line, he decided on a fake release in a four-down situation, which the Packers noticed from afar. They immediately took the ball back and increased their lead with a touchdown.
“It was a bad decision on my part. I shouldn’t have done that,” admitted the coach, who deserves the credit for never shying away from it.
The Lions’ recent magic simply hasn’t worked, as five of six fourth down attempts failed.
“I prepared my boys poorly,” the pilot continued, continuing to castigate himself.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The same Lions?
While quarterback Jared Goff recovered with two fumbles, his counterpart Jordan Love took off the all-you-can-eat buffet with 268 yards, three touchdowns and a long 37-yard run at the end of the fourth quarter in the Lions’ search. His young receivers were more effective than ever and took advantage of the lax defense. To make matters worse, the Packers’ primary defender was Rashan Gary (with three sacks), who was a hometown hero while playing his college football in the University of Michigan’s backyard.
Should we conclude that the Lions have once again become the good old docile kittens of a not-so-distant past that seems to be sticking with them?
No, they’re better than that, but they have a way of raising doubts when you’re just starting to believe in them. In fact, they could end up being the ones who doom their own party.