Thanksgiving may be the most popular regular-season day in the NFL next to opening day. Everyone watches football on Turkey Day. Even your 65-year-old Grandma wants to know who is on TV. Let’s take a look at this Thursday’s NFL game odds…
Chicago Bears (-3) @ Detroit Lions (38.5 o/u)
This game looked a whole lot better before the season started with the Bears coming off a 12-and-4 season and the Lions looking like an up-and-coming playoff team that finally had a running game. Unfortunately, injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford and second-year phenom running back Kerryon Johnson derailed any hope for the Lions to make any noise in the playoffs.
The Bears took a different route to mediocrity with their third-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky taking a huge step backward in his development. His regression has been so bad that many in Chicago think backup journeymen Chase Daniel should start the rest of the season.
This game is the least appealing game on the slate from a betting and entertainment perspective. The Bears defense is still dominant and the Lions could be without their top two quarterbacks with Stafford highly unlikely and Jeff Driskel nursing a hamstring injury. The Loins may have to start rookie quarterback David Blough. I have no idea how to say his last name, so I’m pronouncing it David ‘Blah’, because that’s what I expect from the Lions offense, “Blah”. Give me the Bears minus the 3.
Buffalo Bills @ Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) (45 o/u)
This game has a lot more intrigue from a pure entertainment side of things. The Bills are 8-and-3 and second in their division to the AFC front-runners, the Patriots. The Cowboys are benefiting from a weak division as they are only 6-and-5, but lead the division by a game over the Eagles.
The Bills defense as a whole is one of the best in the league, but their run defense struggles — which happens to be a strength of the Cowboys with all-world running back, Ezekiel Elliott. The Bills will have to find a way to slow Zeke down, or it will be a long game for them.
The Bills are not without some weapons of their own with rookie running back Devin Singletary, revived wide receiver John Brown and second-year quarterback Josh Allen. It’ll be the job of the offensive to keep the quarterback Dak Prescott and company on the sideline with long drives. The Bills are built old-school, “Play defense and run the football.”
The Bills continue to impress me and I think they can go into Dallas and outright win this game. Give me the Bills plus the 6.5.
New Orleans Saints (-7) @ Atlanta Falcons (49 o/u)
The nightcap game has the potential look of a shoot out if both offenses are clicking. Drew Brees and the Saints are in the conversation for, “Best Team” with a 9-and-2 record, while the Falcons may stake claim to the biggest disappointment at 3-and-8.
One of those three victories for the Falcons came a few weeks ago against this same Saints team — in New Orleans. Just when you thought the Falcons had turned a corner with two straight victories, they went out and laid a dud last week against the Tamp Bay Bucs. We have no idea which team is going to show up in Atlanta this week.
The last time these two teams met in Atlanta, the Saints won a thriller with a score of 43-to-37, and I could see another shootout here. The Falcons play much better at home and in a dome, which they are both this week, but the Saint’s defense is what makes the difference in this one. Saints can put up points and get stops on defense, the Falcons defense hasn’t stopped many this year and they won’t be able to stop Brees and company Thursday evening. Give me the Saints minus the points.
