It's one of the worst Thanksgiving traditions. An opposing quarterback has a big game against the Detroit Lions, resulting in yet another embarrassing holiday loss with the whole country watching. This one was just plain appetite-ruining, and it wasn't just the officiating.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love took full advantage of whatever inexplicable magic Toyotathon bestows upon him by throwing four touchdown passes in the Packers' 31-24 win over the Lions. Love's 60% completion percentage or 234 passing yards may not strike a box score watcher as all that impressive, but watching the game, you'd be forgiven if you guessed that percentage was 80 or above with 350 plus yards.
Every other Love pass felt like it fell right into the hands of a wide-open receiver, with numerous big plays, such as a 51-yard strike to Christian Watson. Love's four TD passes were distributed across three WRs, with Dontayvion Wicks on the receiving end of two of those. Love was not sacked once, as he was able to find his receivers before Aidan Hutchinson and the pass rush could bring him down. He was also effective on fourth down, unlike the Lions, with his Packers going 3-3, including the clutch game-sealing conversion.
Love's performance exposes a massive First-Team All-Pro-sized hole in the Lions' secondary. In a game that saw cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold reunite on the field for the first time since Week 4, the Lions really needed safety Kerby Joseph out there as well.
Joseph missed his sixth consecutive game with multiple knee injuries, dating all the way back to training camp. The Lions are 3-3 in those games, alternating between wins and losses. If Joseph isn't back soon, head coach Dan Campbell's ability to avoid consecutive losses will absolutely be in jeopardy.
Joseph's absence underscores a growing issue for the defense
Before his injuries, Joseph was on track to become one of the best ever at his position at hauling in interceptions. He led the league this past season and leads all defensive players with 20 in the past five seasons. What's impressive is that Joseph was only drafted four seasons ago and has missed half of this season so far.
Takeaways have been one of the biggest areas the Lions have been lacking in, especially during Joseph's absence. Joseph is the only Lions player with multiple INTs on the season. Six other Lions have one, half of which came after Joseph's injury.
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Fumbles aren't any better. The defense has accounted for a grand total of four forced fumbles with one fumble recovery. That's a grand total of four takeaways in the past six games. By comparison, the Chicago Bears lead the NFL during that stretch with 12, and the Packers have nine.
Yes, Joseph is just one man, but when healthy, few active safeties have an argument for being better. Whether it's turnovers or forcing a QB to hold onto the ball a second longer, Joseph has a considerable impact on the defense. The Lions could've used him out there on Thanksgiving against Love and the Packers, and they'll definitely need him next week against Dak Prescott and the surging Dallas Cowboys.
The return of center Frank Ragnow will unquestionably be the biggest addition to this Lions roster in the coming weeks. Looking at the Lions' defense on Thanksgiving, it's clear Joseph isn't too far off in second place.