AGAINST THE SPREAD
Ken Pomponio of SportsbookWire.com serves up some picks for the Thanksgiving Day slate.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, 12:30 p.m. ET
Tipico lines: Bears by 3.5; Over/under 41.5 Da Bears (3-7) bring the league's longest current losing streak (5 games) into this NFC North clash and are expected to have veteran QB Andy Dalton at the helm in the place of injured rookie Justin Fields. QB Jared Goff could be back at the controls for the Lions who have played much better than their 0-9-1 record indicates with a 6-4 mark against the pointspread. Chicago has won six of seven in this series, including a 24-14 home victory in Week 4, and should prevail in a tight one here, but the scrappy Lions (+3.5) get another cover.
Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET
Tipico line: Cowboys by 7.5; O/U 50.5
These two teams have hit hard times with the 5-5 and distraction-addled Raiders having lost three straight since a 5-2 start and the 7-3 Cowboys dropping two of their last three. Injuries and absences have hurt Dallas, which could get starting left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) back, but WR Amari Cooper (COVID-19) will miss a second straight game and WR CeeDee Lamb (concussion) likely will join him on the sideline. That contributed mightily to a TD-less outing last week. The Raiders, meanwhile, have averaged only 14.3 points during their three-game skid so the recommended play here is the under (50.5) with both defenses showing improvement this season.
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints, 8:20 p.m. ET
Tipico line: Bills by 4.5; O/U 46.5
Once 4-1 and looking like the clear AFC favorite, the Bills have lost three of their last five to fall to second place in the AFC East. Buffalo surrendered a seasonhigh 41 points Sunday as Jonathan Taylor and the Colts ran wild in Buffalo, but QB Josh Allen and the offense have managed only 21 points in their last two losses, including a season-low six in a shocking Week 9 defeat to the lowly Jaguars. The Saints, meanwhile, have lost three straight and stud RB Alvin Kamara has missed the last two contests with a knee injury. QB Trevor Siemian (9 total TDs, 2 interceptions) has been better than expected since stepping in for the injured Jameis Winston and should help the Saints (+4.5) at least get the home cover as they're an impressive 11-4 SU and 12-3 ATS as underdogs since 2018.
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