NFL wagering tips
Cowboys, Colts will have happy Thanksgiving
A feast of football kicks off Thanksgiving Day in the Motor City, where the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings in a battle of NFC North Division leaders at Ford Field.
The Lions play their 77th game on Thanksgiving, standing 3638-2 SU (straight up) in previous games but 3-0 SU and ATS (against the spread) the last three years.
Also of note is the fact that Thanksgiving Day favorites have enjoyed home cooking, going 33-13 SU and 28-18 ATS when hosting these festivities dating to 1980.
A look at Thursday’s games and the rest of Week 12’s NFL card.
THURSDAY
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The Vikings are 4-1 SU and ATS on Thanksgiving Thursday. ... The Lions are 9-3 SU and ATS in this series after consecutive wins, including 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS at home.
Key stat: Minnesota is 11-0 ATS after a home game against opponents coming off a home game. Vikings, 21-20
The Redskins are 1-3 SU and ATS on Thanksgiving Thursday. ... Dallas is 7-11 SU at home on Thanksgiving Day against winning opponents, including 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS since 2000.
Key stat: .800 or greater teams are 18-3 SU and 17-3-1 ATS on Thanksgiving Day, including 6-0 SU and ATS at home.
Cowboys, 31-21
The Steelers are 1-7 SU all time on Thanksgiving Day — all away games. ... The Colts are 2-0 SU and ATS in their Indianapolis history on Thanksgiving Day.
Key stat: Since moving to Indianapolis in 1984, the Colts are 13-1 SU and 12-1-1 ATS on Thursdays.
Who wins: Colts, 27-24
SUNDAY
San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans
The Chargers are 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS all time in this series ... Houston is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS after Monday night games.
Key stat: San Diego is 25-7 SU and 27-4-1 ATS in its franchise history vs. AFC South opponents.
Chargers, 27-21
Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey is 0-7 SU and ATS in his last seven away games after a win. ... Chicago is 0-4 SU and ATS in its last four games against AFC South opponents.
Key stat: Tennessee is 9-1 ATS away against losing NFC opponents.
Who wins: Titans, 24-21 Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
The Jaguars are 1-9 SU and ATS after facing an NFC opponent since 2014. ... The Bills have an NFL-low six turnovers this season.
Key stat: Buffalo is 5-0 ATS after a win in this series.
Bills, 27-20
Cincinnati is 5-2 SU and ATS in its last seven AFC North away games. ... The Ravens are 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS in the last five games in this series.
Key stat: Baltimore is 1-7 ATS in the first of consecutive home games. Bengals, 27-21
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is 6-1 SU and 7-0 ATS from Game 11 onward in non-division regularseason games after a non-division game. ... The favorite is 5-21 ATS in Falcons games under Dan Quinn.
Key stat: Atlanta is 1-6 ATS at home with rest in non-division games. Cardinals, 28-24
The 49ers are 15-8 SU and 17-6 ATS away against AFC East opponents. ... According to South Florida Sun Sentinel columnist Dave Hyde, the Dolphins will go against an NFL Tomato Can Row of quarterbacks in their next four games facing San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick, (85.0 rating), Baltimore’s Joe Flacco (80), Arizona’s Carson Palmer (83.6) and the New York Jets’ Ryan Fitzpatrick (67.6).
Key stat: Miami is 1-6 ATS after consecutive wins when facing an NFC West opponent.
Who wins: Dolphins, 24-20 Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
The Rams are 5-1 ATS in the last six games in this series. ... New Orleans leads the league in offensive plays (694) and first downs (250) this season.
Key stat: Los Angeles is 4-0 ATS in the first of consecutive away games. Saints, 24-21
The visiting team in Giants AFC North games is 1-6 SU and ATS. ... Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is 6-1 SU and 7-0 ATS from Game 11 out in non-division regular-season games after a nondivision game.
Key stat: New York is 0-6 ATS in Game 11 of the season.
Giants, 26-20
The Seahawks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against NFC South opponents, including 0-3 ATS vs. Tampa Bay. ... The Buccaneers are 1-10 SU and 2-9 ATS against NFC West opponents.
Key stat: Seattle is 8-1 ATS in games following the Philadelphia Eagles. Seahawks, 27-17
The Panthers are 5-2 SU and 7-0 ATS against AFC West opponents after a division game. ... The Raiders are 7-14 SU and 3-18 ATS in their last 21 games at home as a favorite vs. losing opponents.
Key stat: Oakland is 2-16 ATS vs. losing NFC opponents.
Panthers, 28-21
The Chiefs are 17-3 SU in their last 20 regular-season games, including seven consecutive division wins. ... The Broncos are 5-1 ATS home coming off consecutive away games before consecutive away games.
Key stat: Denver is 23-6 SU and ATS in games after a bye week, including 7-0 SU and ATS the last seven seasons.
Broncos, 28-27
The Patriots are 0-6 ATS in the last six games in this series. ... The Jets are 6-1 ATS as home underdogs after a bye week.
Key stat: New England has been outgained in each of its last six games in this series, averaging 271 yards of total offense.
Who wins: Patriots, 27-24
MONDAY
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
The Packers are 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS away on Monday nights. ... The Eagles are 5-0 ATS after a loss in this series.
Key stat: Philadelphia is 15-3 SU and 16-2 ATS with a .500 or greater record in Monday night games, including 9-0 ATS the last nine games.
Who wins: Eagles, 27-20
Lawrence publishes the weekly Playbook Football Newsletter and the Playbook Football Preview Guide Preview magazine (Playbook.com). You can follow him on Twitter @MarcLawrence or on the Playbook Cube app.