DETROIT – The red-hot Detroit Lions are off to a historic start after taking down the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday to advance to 10-1 on the season.
Detroit is currently on a nine-game winning streak, the longest since 1934, but its kryptonite awaits it in the annual Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears.
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The Lions have been winless on Thanksgiving since 2016, with their most embarrassing loss coming against the Green Bay Packers in 2023.
They fell to the Buffalo Bills in 2022, the Bears in 2021, 2019, and 2018, the Houston Texans in 2020, and the Minnesota Vikings in 2017.
Their last win came in 2016 when former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford defeated the Vikings in a 16-13 nailbiter.
In that game, Stafford began the game with a two-yard touchdown pass to 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist Anquan Boldin.
Kicker Matt Prater knocked in three field goals, and the defense kept former No. 1 NFL draft pick and the highest-paid rookie player in league history, Sam Bradford, in check.
That’s seven consecutive games, including three straight in the Dan Campbell era, lost on Turkey Day if you’re counting. But 2024 is different, as the Lions are considered the best team in the National Football League.
The Lions are dealing with many injuries in a short week, but they’re welcoming in the lowly Bears, who have lost five consecutive games heading into the matchup.
But the Bears have their number on the day of thanks. They’ve matched up with the Lions on the day of thanks 19 times, trailing 11-8 all-time.
The last time the Lions beat the Bears on Thanksgiving was in 2014.
The traditional game has been part of the franchise since 1934, and it was played annually starting in 1945 when then-owner G.A. Richards wanted to gain notoriety with the Motor City fanbase during their first season in the city.
Detroit has played in 84 Thanksgiving Day games, with a record of 37-45-2.
Since the 21st Century, they are 6-18 on Thanksgiving, during which time they, like this year, suffered a long losing streak, dropping nine games from 2004 to 2012.
As of Wednesday morning, wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot), left tackle Taylor Decker (knee), and cornerback Carlton Davis did not practice on Tuesday.
Still, with everyone else practically healthy, the Lions may be able to snap the seven-game streak this year as the Bears are on the struggle bus.
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