Giving thanks for Thursday football
Washington, Los Angeles and Minnesota are Thanksgiving picks
The triple-header on Thanksgiving isn’t all that tasty, except for the traditional opener at Detroit.
The NFC North leader from Minnesota visits Ford Field this year, and carries a two-game edge over the Lions. So this is a particularly huge game for the hosts.
“They’re all big,” coach Jim Caldwell says. “Every single one of them’s a factor in the grand scheme of things. The most important one is the next one ... You can’t act as if one game is going to make a complete difference in the season, because you don’t know what’s going to happen the rest of the season.”
Minnesota is favoured by two. Vikings, 23-20 Jacksonville (-4) at Arizona
The Jaguars favoured on the road? You bet. And ... Best bet: Jaguars, 20-10 Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) at Dallas, Thursday
The Cowboys are rattled. Chargers are dangerous. Upset special: Chargers, 23-20 New York Giants (+7) at Washington, Thursday night
Redskins ravaged by injuries, yet still should win a close one. Washington, 21-17 Houston (+7) at Baltimore, Monday night
A lot of points for the Ravens to give. Of course, they might get another shutout. Ravens, 13-10 Chicago (+12.5) at Philly
Not much “Roar, Bears, Roar” these days. Try “Fly, Eagles, Fly.” Eagles, 27-10 Miami (+16) at New England
Patriots coasting toward AFC’s top seed? Patriots, 30-13 Green Bay (+13.5) at Pitt. Steelers tend to lollygag through these games. Steelers, 24-13 Buffalo (+9) at Kansas City
It’s back to Tyrod Taylor ... for now. Regardless, the Chiefs need a rebound game. New Chiefs, Orleans 19-12 (+2.5) at Los Angeles Rams
Huge game in NFC race between surprise division leaders. Rams, 24-23 Tampa Bay (+8.5) at Atlanta
The Bucs struggle on the road, though the Falcons are not that comfy in the new digs. Falcons, 26-16 Carolina (-4.5) at N.Y. Jets
Panthers need to be careful here with Saints and Vikings up after this. Could be a trap game. Panthers, 26-20 Tennessee (-4) at Indianapolis
Look for bounce back from Marcus Mariota. Titans, 20-13 Seattle (-7) at San Francisco
The Seahawks are banged-up, but good enough to survive this. Seahawks, 24-14 Denver (+5) at Oakland
This looked like a big game when schedule came out. No more. Raiders, 23-13 Cleveland (+8) at Cincinnati
The Bengals are thinking wild card. The Browns are thinking “when does this end?” Bengals, 20-13 Last week: Against spread, 6-8; straight up, 8-6 Season totals: Against spread, 73-77-3; straight up, 96-63 Best bet: Against spread, 7-4; straight up, 9-2. Upset special: Against spread, 7-4; straight up, 7-4