Since 1934 our Detroit Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a tradition almost as old as the NFL itself. Detroit and Turkey Day- a staple of the last Thursday in November.

And today we are especially spoiled, as we get our 6-4 Detroit Lions taking on the 8-2 NFC North Division leading Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have won 6 in a row, losing their last game to our Leo’s on October 1st. Since that time we have seen Green Bay exposed as frauds without their savior Aaron Rodgers, the Vikings surge, and the Lions maintain a solid record but lose pace on the division to Minnesota- that can all change today.

Detroit is 36-38-2 in Thanksgiving Day games all time dating back to the inaugural Detroit-Chicago matchup in 1934. This number did not surprise me, but it did upset me. Detroit has owned a day on the calendar year in the NFL since the dawn of time and they have a losing record. Granted, it’s not a glaringly awful record, but it’s a losing one at that. For how bad our franchise has been over the years, it is truly amazing that the NFL has allowed the Lions to keep this super duper prime time date on the calendar for has many years as they have. Our Detroit Lions need to own this day. This game should be absolute hell for any opponent trying to get a W in Detroit in late November.

Now, over the passed four years, Matthew Stafford and the Lion’s have done exactly that, going 4-0 in their last four Turkey Bowls with scores of 40-10 (Green Bay, 2013), 34-17 (Chicago, 2014), 45-14 (Philly, 2015), & Minnesota (16-13, 2016). Now, Stafford in his career since being drafted out of Georgia is 4-4 on Thanksgiving, and in a dream world, but the time he retires from the NFL after playing for the Lions for 20 years and winning two Super Bowls, his loss record on Thanksgiving should grow to no more than 6. By the time Stafford leaves Detroit, the NFL, and football forever in his 20th year, he should have a Turkey Day record of 14-6.

Today’s game is a must win for Detroit. With Green Bay down and all but out, the Bears doing their usual dumpster fire dance, Detroit needs to man the fuck up, and take the division from Minnesota- and that all begins today. If Minnesota is able to waltz into Detroit, out city, and beat our Lion’s in our barn on OUR day, just kiss the division and the playoffs goodbye. Our Lion’s NEED to make the statement today that we don’t care who you are, and who we are, today is Thanksgiving and Detroit doesn’t lose on Thanksgiving. Period. 

It’s going to be a battle, it’s going to be entertaining, and there is a lot to play for. But I hope and pray the boys come to play because Minnesota is obviously no joke, and if they tank this one I’m going to be a nightmare to deal with for the rest of the day. Not only because I love my Lions and want them to win, I also tossed some sheets on the game and no one likes losing money around the holidays.

Prediction: Lions: 23, Vikings: 20

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am thankful for you, the reader. #forward

– Frank

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