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Be thankful for: What looks like the end of the Matt Patricia era. Anything is possible, and I never root for anyone to get fired, but Patricia is 13-28-1 in three seasons as a head coach, and the Lions have shown no signs of progress. They rank 29th on defense and were shut out by a P.J. Walker-led Panthers team last week. It's time for a fresh start.

The end is coming for Matt Patricia. Injuries have hurt, but that was a terrible showing in losing to a backup quarterback against the Panthers.

Sure, they didn't score Sunday. But at least they didn't look bad in the red zone ... but only because they never even got that far.

What they're thankful for: The offensive line

Detroit's offensive line -- particularly the left side -- has been phenomenal (save for Sunday against Carolina). Left tackle Taylor Decker is playing at a Pro Bowl level. Center Frank Ragnow also is at a Pro Bowl level. Rookie left guard Jonah Jackson looks like a stable blocker for years to come and should end up on a bunch of all-rookie teams. While right guard has been an issue, Tyrell Crosby has stepped in at right tackle and played well. But in another down Lions season, the offensive line has sparked a run game and protected Matthew Stafford pretty well. -- Michael Rothstein

The clock is ticking louder than ever now on Matt Patricia. The Lions had a chance to get themselves back into the playoff race on Sunday against the Panthers but instead pulled a no-show, shut out 20-0 in a game that reaffirms all the doubts surrounding this team and its coaching staff. The Panthers entered the game without star running back Christian McCaffrey or starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. But former XFL glory boy P.J. Walker moved the ball far better against the Lions than Matthew Stafford and an undermanned Detroit attack did against a Carolina defense that entered Sunday ranked 29th in football. The Lions can find their way back to the periphery of the postseason picture with a win over the Texans on Thanksgiving Day, but there's zero reason for buy-in here. Lions fans surely agree.