Detroit Lions get stuffed on Thanksgiving, season outlook has familiar theme

The surging Detroit Lions needed a home win to move within a game of the division leading Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, the “Same Old Lions” showed up.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what you have. What Detroit has is a team that routinely fails to beat good teams. Everyone was to blame, except Lions kicker, Matt Prater, and Marvin Jones, Jr., who had a very nice game at wide receiver. Let’s discuss the issues in all phases that lead to the typical, yet recent, Detroit Lions letdown.

The recipe for a spoiled Detroit Thanksgiving? Turnovers, missed opportunities, punts, dropped and errant passes, non-existent run production, all with the appetizer of a slow start. It’s a meal we’ve all sat down to many times too often.

Even the referees seemed to troll the Lions by reviewing a score they appeared to have already confirmed. Oops, not a touchdown! Classic Lions.

File this game under the Same Old Lions category. The Lions win a couple of games, get above .500, and start getting healthy. The classic Lions dilemma then hits you, “Am I going to drink some of the Kool-aid?”

The Lions proceeded Thursday to justify our tempered optimism blended with cynicism by laying down when given an opportunity to prove people wrong. Death, taxes, and blown opportunities by the Lions, these are things we know are certainties.

I often joke with family that I am  waiting for my next kick in the crotch, courtesy of our Detroit Lions. They delivered in that regard.

Criticism about quarterback Matt Stafford’s record contract, head coach Jim Caldwell’s extension, general manager Bob Quinn’s draft decisions, the losing culture, and the curse are all well-deserved. Bravo, Detroit Lions, you are the turkeys this Thanksgiving. Or, perhaps, I am for watching and expecting anything else.