Game 1: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Thanksgiving kicks off with the Lions hosting their traditional holiday game, this time against the Chicago Bears. The match is actually the 20th time they’ve played on Thanksgiving. The Lions are sitting at 10-1 and sit atop of the standing. Their only loss was a tight 20-16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers way back in Week 2. And just last week, they crushed the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 having smashed the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6 the week before.
Meanwhile, the Bears are struggling with a 4-7 record and have lost their last five games. In Week 12, they came up just short against the Minnesota Vikings, losing 30-27. But when it comes to this rivalry, the Bears have the edge. They’ve faced the Lions 188 times, with Chicago leading the all-time series 105-78, and five games have ended in a tie.
Predictions
With how both teams have been playing lately, there is only one foreseeable outcome. The Lions are the dominate team in the NFL currently and should move to 11-1. The Lions -8.5 at 19/20 looks tempting as they have the ability to blow teams away. Detroit have been dominant all season, while the Bears are still struggling with their rookie quarterback Caleb Williams still getting to grips with the NFL. Expect the Lions to beat the Bears, who are coming off two nail biting losses to both the Vikings and Packers.
Lions -8.5 @ 19/20.
Game 2: Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants
Two teams struggling for wins meet in game two on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys sit with a 4-7 record and an outside chance at the playoffs whilst the Giants are in an even worse situation currently sitting 2-9 for the season and having hit a low point losing 30-7 to Tampa Bay, making it their sixth consecutive loss. Dallas did win last time out, beating the Commanders 34-26. Both teams are well off the pace in the NFC East but it does lend itself to an intriguing contest.
Both teams are at a crossroads. Injuries have changed the entire course the Cowboys were hoping to take this season, while the Giants are starting the rebuild early after releasing quarterback Daniel Jones. Both offenses have some questions that need to be answered, as do the Cowboys defence who have conceded the second most points in the NFC.
Predictions
The Cowboys should inflict more pain on the Giants and I expect the over 37.5 points at 21/20 to land with the Cowboys offense back in form and a Giants team with nothing to lose throwing caution to the wind. Second year pro Tommy DeVito replaces Daniel Jones at quarterback and will be looking to stake his claim for the role at the Giants, so expect him to try make some big plays.
Total Points Over 37.5 @21/20
Game 3: Green Bay Packers vs Miami Dolphins
Thanksgiving concludes with an interconference showdown as the Packers play the Dolphins. With both teams in the thick of their respective playoff races, this matchup promises to deliver high-stakes action. The Packers have won eight of their 11 games, but are still two wins behind the 10-1 Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
The teams last met in 2022, when the Dolphins fell to the Packers 26-20 in a Christmas Day matchup. This time, Green Bay enter as favourites on their home turf. The Dolphins were expected to be contenders in the AFC this season, and they’ve shown flashes of that potential winning their last 3 games leaving them at 5-6, still in the thick of the Wild Card race, however they now face a Packers team coming off an impressive 38-10 win over the 49ers last week. Jordan Love is showing huge improvement and the Packers are a tough team to beat.
Predictions:
These are two teams in some form with exciting quarterbacks and weapons a plenty. Josh Jacobs is the main threat for Green Bay, whilst the Dolphins Tyreek Hill is always a danger to opposition defences. Backing the over 5.5 Touchdowns in the match could be worth a small play in what could be a high scoring match.
Total Touchdowns over 5.5 @ 23/20
Whatever happens, happy Thanksgiving!