Coach: A win for Lions today would be ‘special’

Detroit running out of time to get elusive victory this season.

Dan Campbell knows he can’t be picky. With his team at 0-9-1 and seven games left, the Detroit Lions coach would happily take a win on any day at any NFL stadium.

Beating the Chicago Bears today, though, would be even better.

“When we get a win, it is going to be freaking outstanding, but yes, getting it on Thanksgiving in Detroit would make it that much more special,” said Campbell, who played on the holiday for the Lions and Dallas Cowboys.

“We’re in the world of social media, where everyone has access to everything, but this is still huge. When I was growing up in Texas, we always watched the Lions and then we watched the Cowboys, and that’s what everyone does.”

It helps that, for one of the first times this year, the Lions seem to have a serious shot at victory. After going into their Week 9 bye giving up an average of 30.5 points per game, Detroit held the Steelers to 16 in a Nov. 14 tie, then allowed 13 in a three-point loss in Cleveland on Sunday.

A big part of that improvement has come from forcing five turnovers in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. They had only gotten seven takeaways in their first eight games. “To play good defense, you have to get turnovers,” Campbell said.

The Lions have also discovered a running game, picking up 397 yards in the past two games after struggling to get anything going in the first eight weeks. Former Georgia Bulldog D’andre Swift went over 130 yards against Pittsburgh and Cleveland, much to the delight of one of his key blockers.

“He’s doing a fantastic job,” fullback Jason Cabinda said. “There’s not a whole lot more we can ask from that guy in terms of what he’s doing for this team.”

Despite limited help from the pass rush — the Lions only have one sack in the past two games — the secondary held Mason Rudolph (4.8 yards per pass) and Baker Mayfield (6.1) to a combined 5.3 yards per passing attempt. Add in three interceptions, and one of the league’s worst pass defenses is finally showing some life. With Chicago QB Justin Fields dealing with rib injuries, that could be a key to victory today.

What needs help for the Lions: Going with Tim Boyle at quarterback over banged-up Jared Goff didn’t help an anemic passing game against the Browns. Boyle, making his first NFL start, went 15 for 23 for 77 yards and threw two interceptions. Goff (oblique) was able to throw this week under simulated game conditions, so he could be back against Chicago.

DAVID RICHARD/AP Lions first-year coach Dan Campbell is still looking for his first win. Detroit did tie Pittsburgh on Nov. 14 and lost 13-10 to Cleveland this past Sunday.