Field Level Media
25 Nov 2021, 08:49 GMT+10
The Detroit Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day game traditionally showcases one of the NFL's most downtrodden franchises.
The Lions can't get much lower than they already are heading into their NFC North matchup with Chicago on Thursday. They're the league's only winless team at 0-9-1.
Dan Campbell, who played numerous times on Thanksgiving with Dallas and Detroit, is still seeking his first head coaching victory. The franchise has become a punchline once again and Campbell is hopeful his team can finally have the last laugh.
"To get a win, period, is going to be freakin' outstanding," he said. "But to get it on Thanksgiving would make it that much more special."
Not that it's any solace to Campbell during a winless season thus far, but AI-driven analytic company Quarter4 has forecast the Lions with a 57 percent probability of winning on Thursday.
The Bears remain 3.0-point favorites and have been backed by 57 percent of the bets and the spread-line money at DraftKings.
At least Campbell doesn't have to worry about his job security in the short run. The same can't be said for counterpart Matt Nagy. A report surfaced on Tuesday that Nagy would be fired after Thursday's game, which Nagy said was "not accurate."
Nagy wouldn't indicate if he has received assurances from the Bears that he'll be coaching the rest of the season. But team chairman George McCaskey did reportedly tell players and coaches Wednesday that there was no truth to the report that Nagy would be fired after Thursday's game.
"My focus right now is on the players and on Detroit," Nagy said this week. "That's it. That's my job as a head coach and as a leader. ... Anything else is a distraction."
Both teams have issues at quarterback due to injuries.
Detroit's Jared Goff missed the team's 13-10 loss at Cleveland on Sunday due to an oblique strain. Tim Boyle made his first NFL start and passed for just 77 yards while getting picked off twice.
Goff has been throwing this week and it appears he'll start on Thursday.
"I do want to make sure he's definitely ready to go," Campbell said. "And I do think it's trending that way."
Running back D'Andre Swift has rushed for 266 yards over the past two games, including a 57-yard touchdown against the Browns. Swift, who has already eclipsed his rookie-year total with 975 scrimmage yards, needs 25 more to become the first Lions running back with 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a season since 2014.
"He's been steady and reliable all year and he's really grown," Campbell said. "He is a dynamic football player for us."
Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields suffered an injury to his ribs in a 16-13 home loss to Baltimore on Sunday. Backup Andy Dalton will start and Fields will be inactive with Nick Foles serving as the backup.
Dalton threw two touchdown passes in relief, but the Ravens scored the game-winning touchdown with 22 seconds remaining.
Chicago (3-7) has lost five straight, with the last two decided by a combined five points.
"They were playing so well the entire game," Nagy said of his defense. "The simple fact of the matter is that now we're 3-7 instead of 5-5. That's a big difference right now when you look at where these NFC teams are. We have to keep fighting because we know where we're at. That's the way these guys are wired."
The 41.5-point Over/Under has seen lopsided action at the sportsbook with 65 percent of the bets and 70 percent of the money backing the Over despite the quarterback questions.
The Bears won the first meeting 24-14 behind David Montgomery's 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Whether the rest of the country likes it, the Lions will be making their 82nd Thanksgiving appearance. This is the 19th time the Bears and Lions have matched up on the holiday, most recently in 2019 when Montgomery scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:17 remaining.
Goff was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report and is officially questionable, although he's expected to start. The most notable among players who didn't practice was linebacker Trey Flowers (knee).
Chicago revealed this week that star linebacker Khalil Mack requires season-ending foot surgery. Wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) is listed as doubtful, while defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (ankle) and running back Damien Williams (calf) have been ruled out.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More InformationAlexander Ovechkin has scored twice to match hockey legend Wayne Gretzkys number of goals Russia's Alexander Ovechkin reached another...
(250405) -- LOS ANGELES, April 5, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Austin Reaves (top) of Los Angeles Lakers shoots during the 2024-2025 NBA regular...
(250405) -- TORONTO, April 5, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Orlando Robinson (L) of Toronto Raptors fights for a rebound with Simone Fontecchio...
(250404) -- TORONTO, April 4, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Orlando Robinson (R) and RJ Barrett (L) of Toronto Raptors fight for a rebound with...
(Photo credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images) The Arizona Diamondbacks and star second baseman Ketel Marte have agreed to a six-year,...
(Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images) Left-hander Easton Lucas pitched five scoreless innings in his first career major-league...
On Thursday, April 3, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Field Yates held a 2025 NFL Draft media call following the release of his latest mock...
ESPN has signed Peter Schrager to a multi-year agreement, adding the versatile personality and journalist to an array of ESPN studio...
Dave Spadaro Making moves. It was a theme for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2022 NFL Draft as Executive Vice President/General Manager...
Lets take some time to appreciate true greatness. Will McFadden FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. Julio Jonesannounced his retirement from the...
Murphy Takes 5 is a monthly column written by President and CEO Mark Murphy Mark Murphy On the first Saturday of every month, Mark...
A collection of headlines and news about the Saints and the NFL for Saturday, April 5 New Orleans Saints Saints News from NOLA.com...