It’s been nearly 90 years since the Detroit Lions roared into Thanksgiving with a 10-1 record.
Not since the days of Hall of Famer Dutch Clark and head coach Potsy Clark has Detroit seen this level of regular-season dominance. Now, with Dan Campbell at the helm and Jared Goff under center, the 2024 Lions are poised to make history. Yet, despite their resurgence, one holiday tradition remains a sore spot: winning on Thanksgiving.
Detroit’s last Thanksgiving victory came in 2016, under then-head coach Jim Caldwell, when they edged out the Minnesota Vikings 16-13. Since then, it’s been seven straight losses, leaving fans and players alike yearning for a holiday triumph. For Campbell, a win on Thanksgiving would mean more than just snapping a streak—it would transform the holiday experience for his family and the entire Lions faithful.
“It’s not really fun to be around when we don’t win,” Campbell admitted this week. “Ask my wife—she’s praying for a win because she knows how I get. It’s long overdue, but we have to earn it.”
The Lions have already exorcised several demons from their past. In 2023, they claimed their first-ever NFC North title and ended a playoff drought dating back to 2016. More impressively, they secured their first postseason win since 1991, doubling their playoff victory total since 1957. But Thanksgiving? That curse remains unbroken.
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For Detroit, Thanksgiving has long been synonymous with football. The Lions have hosted the annual holiday game since 1934 and will play their 85th Thanksgiving matchup this year—the most of any NFL franchise. However, their 37-45-2 record on turkey day tells the story of a tradition filled with both triumph and heartache.
The Bears, Thursday’s opponent, offer a chance for redemption. Chicago enters the game on a five-game losing streak, a stretch marred by close losses and mounting frustrations. On paper, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Detroit to break its holiday curse. But history warns otherwise—the Lions have dropped three Thanksgiving games to the Bears during their current skid.
Detroit’s Thanksgiving struggles date back to its inaugural season as the Lions in 1934. After a blistering 10-0 start, the team suffered its first loss to the Green Bay Packers, setting up a Thanksgiving showdown with Chicago. The result? A loss that foreshadowed decades of holiday heartache. Fast forward to 2024, and the Lions, riding a nine-game winning streak, find themselves on the cusp of more history—potentially, their first Super Bowl appearance.
For veterans like center Frank Ragnow, the significance of a Thanksgiving win goes beyond the standings. “Usually, in past years, I didn’t even want to talk to my family after the game,” Ragnow said. “I’d love to enjoy Thanksgiving this year, put on a show for the crowd, and get that W. It’s a special game, and we don’t take it for granted.”
Campbell and Goff are each 0-3 on Thanksgiving, but this year feels different. The Lions have evolved from perennial underdogs to legitimate contenders. Goff, who has orchestrated a career resurgence in Detroit, leads an offense that has consistently outpaced opponents. Meanwhile, Campbell’s fiery leadership has transformed the team’s identity, instilling a sense of grit and resilience.
While the Bears have struggled mightily this season, divisional games always carry a level of unpredictability. Chicago’s defense, though inconsistent, has shown flashes of potential, and quarterback play has kept them competitive in tight contests. For Detroit, staying focused and capitalizing on their opponent’s vulnerabilities will be key.
A victory on Thursday would mean more than just ending a seven-game losing streak—it would be another milestone in a season filled with them. It would also validate the belief that this is not the same old Lions team. This is a new era, one where Detroit isn’t just a Thanksgiving tradition but a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
As kickoff approaches, one question looms large: Can the 2024 Lions finally give their fans—and themselves—a reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving? If they can carry their season-long momentum into Ford Field on Thursday, they might just deliver a holiday memory that’s been nearly a decade in the making.
