Dan Campbell blamed himself for the Detroit Lion’s seventh consecutive loss on Thanksgiving Day.
After experiencing a 29-22 upset at home to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, the Lions head coach shouldered the blame but said his team isn’t entering “panic mode” despite the recent performances.
The 8-3 Lions also survived a scare Sunday against Chicago, but came out of that game with a 31-26 victory after a surge in the last three minutes. In Week 10 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit escaped with a 41-38 win behind a 41-yard field goal by kicker Riley Patterson at the end.
Despite closing as 8.5-point favorites at ESPN BET, the Lions couldn’t overcome their 17-point deficit in the first half against Green Bay. Lions quarterback Jared Goff finished with three turnovers for the second straight week, with three lost fumbles for the first time in his career.
Two of the fumbles came in the first half. Goff ended up 29-for-44 with 332 yards and two touchdowns on the day. He was also sacked three times.
Goff’s six turnovers in the past two games have matched his total in his previous 18 games combined. Goff was pressured 17 times by the Packers’ defense, his most in a game against the Lions. He went 3-of-12 passing and committed three turnovers when pressured.
He refused to blame the offensive line despite the recent injuries to guard Jonah Jackson (wrist), who was sidelined for the second straight game, and veteran guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who went on the injured reserve list Nov. 14.
With six games remaining on the regular-season schedule, the Lions still sit atop the NFC North standings. They’ll hit the road Dec. 3 to face the New Orleans Saints as they try to get back on track. In its current position, the team is expecting every team’s best shot but looking to respond.