Detroit and Chicago’s already long-suffering seasons might be entering another chapter on Thanksgiving Day in the Lions-Bears game. Detroit is one loss away from being officially eliminated from the playoffs, while Chicago is also in danger of missing the postseason.
Both teams have injuries that will affect them going into Thanksgiving. Chicago is decimated at the wide receiver position. The Lions might have to start third-string, undrafted, rookie quarterback David Blough.
All Pro Matt Stafford has been out for the last three weeks with broken bones in his back. His replacement, Jeff Driskel, apparently strained his hamstring and has been limited in practice. With the short week, Driskel might not be able to play, so Blough has been practicing with the first team.
Both coach Matt Patricia, and Driskel, are optimistic. Patricia called Driskel, “day by day,†while the quarterback said he is hoping to play.
“It’s definitely gotten better each and every day,” Driskel said. “That’s just a testament to the guys in the training room — all of those guys that are here all hours of the day working with us.”
No Movement on Lions-Bears Odds
Surprisingly with Blough possibly starting, the odds have stayed the same. He has never seen a snap in a regular season NFL game. The line opened at -3 for the Bears, and hasn’t budged despite the news Driskel might not be starting.
Besides, it’s not like Driskel is lighting the world on fire. In the three games he has started in place of Stafford, he is 62-105 for 665 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions. The Lions are 0-3 in that span.
Still Patricia, who is on tract to have his second losing season with the Lions, tried to put a brave face on the team’s struggles.
“I would say, for me and this team, we’re fighting every single week to try to go out and do our best and make sure we’re putting ourselves in a position where we can have that opportunity to win,” Patricia said at his weekly news conference Monday. “I also know that this is a process, I know there’s a lot in play here that we’re going through, and we’re trying to build, and we’re trying to do the best we can to improve and get better.”
Bears Should Feast on Lions
A big reason for only a three-point line, might be that Chicago is an even bigger disappointment than Detroit. The Lions were supposed to be bad, while the Bears were expected to return to the playoffs.
They are currently 5-6, third in the NFC North, and have very little hope of making the playoffs. The Bears are closer to the Lions in the cellar (two games), then they are of reaching Minnesota and Green Bay (three games).
Still Thanksgiving should be a win for a team that desperately needs one. The Bears won at home last week against the New York Giants, but it was anything but convincing. Only one of their five victories came against a team with a winning record. The Bears defeated the Lions nearly three weeks ago at home, 20-13, and have beaten them three straight times.