Lions HC Dan Campbell Gets Brutally Honest After Packers ...

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

The Green Bay Packers provided a crushing loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, pushing the team a bit further away from the NFL Playoffs. Despite a solid passing game from quarterback Jared Goff with 256 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 144 yards and a touchdown from receiver Jameson Williams, the team couldn’t keep up with their division rivals.

On the opposing side, Packers QB Jordan Love shook off any shoulder pain he might be experiencing and threw for 234 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-30 completed passes. Receivers Dontayvion Wicks and Christian Watson were outstanding, as they combined for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Read more: Tom Brady Fires Off Savage Remark Before Packers–Lions Game

The Lions also lost their star receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, early in Thursday's game due to an ankle injury, adding to the team's offensive issues. Heading into the game, tight end Sam LaPorta was already out and has a slim chance of returning this season due to a back injury and surgery.

Following the disappointing defeat, Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the media about his team's issues moving forward, suggesting they needed to clean up some things before the rest of their schedule.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell on sidelines for Giants game

...

He said the game came down to fourth down, something Campbell is notorious for taking risks with. In today's game, Packers coach Matt LaFleur pulled a "Dan Campbell" of his own, going for it on a fourth down late in the game to prevent the Lions from getting another chance at winning. The play succeeded, sealing Green Bay's victory at Detroit's Ford Field.

"Like I told the team, it's frustrating, I know. We got a lot to be thankful for even after a loss," he said in his postgame press conference remarks, adding, "And look, we dug ourselves in a little bit of a hole, that's the bottom line. We are in a little bit of a hole."

“All we gotta do is worry about cleaning up this and getting to the next game and finding a way to win the next one in front of us. That will be after this day or two here that they’ll get off, that’s what the focus will be,” he said.

Asked if he'd change his approach for upcoming games, Campbell remained steadfast that Thursday's failed fourth-down conversions won't have an impact on how he calls plays going forward.

"You always want to convert them, and we had a lot of conversions here. It just didn't work out today," he said.

With the loss to Green Bay, Detroit's record is now 7-5 overall, keeping them floating at third in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers remain right near the top at 8-3-1, contending with the division-leading Chicago Bears (8-3). The Packers will play Chicago twice before their regular season ends.

Following the game, Green Bay remains projected as a No. 6 seed in the NFC for the NFL Playoff picture, with a first-round matchup against the Bears. The Lions remain on the outside looking in, with some significant work to do before their season ends.

The Lions’ remaining schedule features the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 4, followed by a visit to the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14, and a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers a week later. They’ll close out their season playing division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears.

Read more: Lions Share Major Jahmyr Gibbs News Before Packers Game

For more about the Detroit Lions and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.

Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines