Detroit Lions Win Big on Thanksgiving

“We haven’t put our players in position to make plays the last two weeks, and that’s on us”.

It’s odd to say that Calvin Johnson had a breakout day, but he did.

Just one day before losing to the Lions, there was a report that an unnamed Eagles starter said that Chip Kelly “is losing the team” and his “bullshit methods aren’t working.”

Johnson caught three of those TDs as the Lions scored on six straight possessions at one point in the game.

“It’s just guys making up their minds that we’re going to go out there and play well and win these games that we’re capable of winning”, Johnson said.

The thing that makes the most sense for this franchise is to be proactive, recognize that Kelly isn’t the future, and start over fresh. Of course, the Eagles defense is one of the worst in the league this year, but Stafford on top of his game, connecting Calvin Johnson for three scores out of the five. By the time Sanchez connected with Jordan Matthews on a 24-yard touchdown pass for the game’s final score, the stands in Ford Field looked a whole lot like the Linc did in the fourth quarter four days ago.

Maxwell was spared being part of the Lions scoring highlights when he fell down trying to run with running back Joique Bell, who dropped what would have been another TD pass from Stafford.

There are times that a Fletcher Cox will dominate his man, come up with a multi-sack game, or force a fumble.

By the third quarter of Thursday’s game, the Eagles’ defense looked more like what Chip Kelly wants to do to the opposing defense – guys out of breath with their hands on their hips.

“This is an unusual day, this is not a typical day”, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. “When guys do what they’re supposed to do, they function the way they’re supposed to function and their technique is sound, good things happen. That’s what you’re seeing now”. With their third straight victory, the Lions raised their record to 4 – 7 while the Eagles fell to 4 – 7 after being outscored 90 – 31 in two consecutive games.

Afterward, coach Chip Kelly told reporters that he believed his players were playing with all their effort. “We’ve really got to figure out what the problem is and just correct it, because I can’t continue to take an embarrassment like that”.

Kelly cited the lack of a pass rush for the flurry of points they’ve allowed. We’re not doing very well.

Caldwell said it was too soon to have updated on any of them. Kaepernick appears a good fit for Kelly’s system, he’s mobile with a big arm, but a new coach may try to find a quarterback more tailored for a different system. The unheralded RB caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles after a solid performance in a win over Oakland last weekend. Tate had seven catches for 50 yards.

Philadelphia tied it during the opening minute of the second quarter.

Philadelphia got a touchdown pass from Sanchez to Brent Celek to tie the game, 7-7. James Ihedigbo gave up a late touchdown when he got beat in coverage Thursday, and don’t think Aaron Rodgers won’t know who to pick on if Quin can’t play.

Stafford went on to connect with Johnson for two more touchdowns in the third quarter, from 3 and 4 yards, to help Detroit build an insurmountable 38-7 lead. Johnson got past rookie cornerback Eric Rowe, who replaced injured Nolan Carroll earlier in the half.