Detroit Lions: 7 things to think about before Thanksgiving

6. If you’re a Michigan Man (or woman), time to plea bargain with the sports gods again

It’s Thanksgiving week, which also means it’s Ohio State week. Which would you rather have: the Lions getting back in the playoff hunt, or a LONG overdue win over the Buckeyes? Let’s face it, you’re probably not getting both, as it’s now been 15 years since the Lions and U of M have each won their games over Thanksgiving break.

If I’m being honest, this year I’ll admit that if I could only have one positive result, I’d take a W for the Wolverines and an L for the Lions. Unfortunately, the sports gods don’t operate like that, and usually when I try that type of thing, I end up with neither.

7. The Lions are a different team on Thanksgiving

I absolutely love this old quote and use this time every year as an excuse to say it. Not because it’s true, or even because the guy who said it stretches his ‘long A’ sounds farther than is necessary, but because it’s a classic.

My middle school English teacher confidently told me that on the last day of school before Thanksgiving break in 2001. The 0-9 Lions were about to play a good-enough Packers team, but that didn’t matter to Mr. Blanck.

To get an idea of just how unashamedly optimistic he was about the Lions, here’s one more sample quote of his: “I really like that Mike McMayy-in! He’s exciting!” The Lions had a late rally, but lost to the Packers and dropped to 0-10. Mike McMahon played in the second half, and actually was kind of exciting.

It wasn’t true then, and it’s not true now, but I’ll say it anyway. The Detroit Lions are a different team on Thanksgiving.