This shouldn’t be breaking news for anyone that is a fan of the Detroit Lions but the season is on the line against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Every game matters in the NFL but by far, the Lions and Packers matchup is the biggest one remaining on the Lions schedule.
Mathematically, the Lions wouldn’t be eliminated if they lost. However, beating Green Bay sure makes things easier. Especially since it may be more realistic for the Lions to make the playoffs by winning the NFC North compared to clinching a wild card berth.
If the playoffs began today, the Lions wouldn’t be in the playoffs. Instead, they’re in the middle of a race for the division and in the process, they’re trailing in the wild card standings as well. Both by slim margins but it further proves the point that winning on Thanksgiving is about as important as it gets for the Lions this season.
Just as important as the news of Frank Ragnow returning to the Detroit Lions. For much of the season, the Lions have looked out of sorts on offense and part of that was due to the inconsistent play from Graham Glasgow at center. Against the Giants, it was evident that Glasgow was struggling but it’s also clear that he’s playing through an injury. My belief is that his left knee is in bad shape (could be his right knee) and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up being shut down for a period of time as Ragnow works his way back into the fold.
Getting more consistent play at center could help in a big way. Especially since it feels like it’s been an uphill battle for Glasgow to move back to center since the summer. From the communication aspect to the first step quickness needed at the position, it just hasn’t been working. But it’s not all on Glasgow.
The Lions have seen drive-altering drops, poor execution from just about every tight end and lineman on the team, and there have been some inconsistencies from Jared Goff. Add this all up and you get an offense that doesn’t have a clear identity outside of Jahmyr Gibbs being one of the best running backs in the NFL. The addition of Ragnow should give the Lions a jolt that they desperately need on offense.
The Ragnow addition may also give the Lions a bit of a spark on Thanksgiving. While he won’t play, we could see the Lions offense come out and fire on all cylinders. Knowing they’ve got a reinforcement on the way could provide them some juice. Or the fact that it’s a division rival in a must-win game could be enough to get the juices flowing for anyone. Especially a team led by Dan Campbell. Put this all together, and we could see a Lions offense play one of their most consistent games of the season.
That’s the hope.
Thanksgiving will be an opportunity for the Lions to write a wrong from week one of the regular season. They came out flat and couldn’t get out of their own way. That trend has continued for most of this season. Sure, the sky isn’t falling as the Lions are 7-4 and are essentially one game out of either the division lead or wild card race. But moving to 7-5 with another loss to the Packers could be devastating for Detroit.
The Packers would earn their 8th win of the season and move to 3-0 in division play. As for the Lions, they would move to 1-3 in the division. With the Bears, Packers, Seahawks and 49ers all in the mix, it feels as if the magic number to clinch a wild cart spot will be 11 wins. Certainly, the Lions could get to 11 wins despite a loss to Green Bay but it would be tough sledding from there.
Essentially, the Lions would have to win out with a remaining schedule that consists of the Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, Vikings and Bears. All games they can win but again, the easier route will be to win the division. By winning on Thanksgiving, the Lions continue to etch their path towards a season-ending showdown against Chicago.
The winner of that game could potentially find themselves atop the NFC North with their hand held high. For now, it’s all eyes on Green Bay on Thanksgiving. It’s a must-win. For Detroit, it’s time to either put up or shut up.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Thanksgiving against the Packers is a must win game for the Lions
Reporting by Russell Brown, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
