The Houston Texans and Detroit Lions face off on Thanksgiving to take part in the great NFL holiday tradition.
To preview the Week 12 matchup, Jeff Risdon from the Lions Wire — yes, the same guy — stops by to give a glimpse into where Detroit is at.
Texans Wire: Why haven’t the Lions fired Matt Patricia yet? Not to editorialize, but he wrecked the progress Jim Caldwell left for him after four years.
Jeff Risdon: The general consensus is that the quick turnaround to the Houston game on Thanksgiving saved Patricia this week. Had the team won they would have been 5-5 and very much alive in the playoff race, so it’s understandable why the plug wasn’t pulled yet. Losing to the Texans could be the final straw after a litany of embarrassing performances and underachievement.
TW: What does this Thanksgiving tradition mean to Lions fans, especially since the team is only 37-41-2 on the day?
JR: It’s something families plan their entire day around. Many families have traditions built around the game, like serving appetizers at halftime and then doing the big dinner after the game. For a lot of folks it’s the only real time they focus on the Lions all year and that holds extra value for them. There’s a sense of pride that it’s Detroit’s moment in the sun even if it doesn’t always end well.
TW: Can the Lions make the playoffs with a 4-6 record and the expanded playoff field?
JR: I suppose it’s mathematically possible but it would completely defy logic. The team plays with no passion or purpose, aside from just not being as talented as so many of the other teams they are chasing. The Lions do still have a manageable schedule that could conceivably finish at 7-9 as a best-case, but you’ll have a hard time finding anyone outside the locker room who thinks that will happen.
TW: What has Matt Stafford meant to the franchise? Will they stay committed to him?
JR: It’s truly remarkable how well Stafford has done in his 12-year career in Detroit. He’s had the worst run support, generally inadequate line play (2020 is the best line Stafford has played behind), underwhelming coordinators and, at times, dreadful defenses to prop up. Stafford has handled it all with quiet dignity and toughness. It’s hard to fathom just how bad the franchise would have been had the Lions taken Mark Sanchez or Josh Freeman instead back in 2009.
As for the future, the Ford family has never wavered in their commitment to Stafford. They love him and he’s returned the sentiment. But there has been a change similar to the one in Houston. Sheila Ford-Hamp, the daughter of longtime owner Martha Ford, took over earlier this year. She’s an unknown factor in the same way Cal McNair was when he took over for his late father.
TW: Who are some underrated Lions that Texans fans need to pay attention to?
JR: Amani Oruwariye has solidified himself as the team’s best cornerback. He had an end zone INT in Week 11 and he’s consistently the top cover man. He’s an emerging standout in his second season.
Punter Jack Fox won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in September, his first month on the job in the NFL. He’s been fantastic, albeit a little busier than anyone hoped for.
Center Frank Ragnow had a rotten Week 11 but in general he’s one of the NFL’s best at his position.
TW: What’s your prediction for the first Turkey Day game?
JR: The Lions have no answers for Deshaun Watson. None. The injuries on the offense for Detroit handicap their ability to try and outscore the damage Watson & Co. will do to the league’s slowest defense. Texans, 33-24