DETROIT - The Detroit Lions are prioritizing rapid recovery and mental preparation as they turn their focus to Thursday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers following Sunday’s contest.
The Lions face a challenging stretch of games,playing on Sunday,then again on Thursday and the following Thursday for Thanksgiving. Head Coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the difficulty, stating with a grin, “it’s great.” The swift turnaround demands efficient film study and game planning, with the team that can adapt fastest gaining a meaningful advantage, according to Campbell.
The immediate emphasis is on player recovery. Monday and Tuesday are dedicated to physical restoration, with the team needing to ramp up preparations by Wednesday to perform at an elite level for 60-plus snaps. Campbell noted that short weeks are physically and mentally taxing, but are a common challenge in the NFL, notably for teams like the Lions at this time of year.
Despite the demanding schedule, Campbell expressed appreciation for the tradition of playing on Thanksgiving. He has experienced the holiday game both as a player and a coach. “Everybody is watching this game,” Campbell said. “You grow up as a kid watching it. Watching Detroit play and watching Dallas play. Detroit and Green Bay on Thanksgiving, I just think everybody knows what that is and everybody for the most part, grew up with that.”
He added, “Our guys know that too. I think that’s what makes it special. it’s one thing for everyone to see primetime games but most of the time, all the families get together and they are watching these games. It feels special in that regard.”
