Houston Texans @ Detroit Lions
Kickoff: 12:30 PM ET
Odds: Houston -3 / Over Under 51.5
The first game of the day will be the traditional Lions home game against whoever the NFL puts them up against. This year it is Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. The Texans come in with a 3-7 record while the Lions sit at 4-6.
This matchup is all about quarterback play. Both quarterbacks are the sole reason these teams win any of their games considering both defenses rank in the bottom 6 in the NFL. Watson and Stafford are two quarterbacks who are proof that wins are not a quarterback stat. They both are in the top half of the league in passing yards and touchdowns.
The Lions have an abundance of injuries to worry about going into this game. Kenny Golladay (hip), D'Andre Swift (concussion) , T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), Danny Amendola (hip), and Marvin Hall (toe) are all listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup. That is five weapons for Stafford that are all a toss up to be playing in this game after the Lions just came off game where they scored 0 points against the Panthers.
Houston is going to be without wide receivers Kenny Stills (quadriceps) and Randall Cobb (toe) for Thursday, as well as David Johnson who has been on the IR (concussion) the last few weeks. So Deshaun should be targeting Will Fuller V and Bradin Cooks heavy.
Both teams will most likely game plan to get the run game going with both defenses in the bottom three in rush defense. So even with David Johnson out and D'Andre Swift listed as questionable the offenses should be able to get some balanced offensive drives. This will be greatly appreciated by the two quarterbacks that have had to carry the load for their teams all season through the air.
Prediction
When it comes down to it, these teams are pretty similar on paper. It would be a surprise to see anything different on the field. This is gonna be a game where whoever has the ball last will probably win the game. The struggling defenses show no reason to think otherwise.
Assuming at least two or three of the Lions questionable players will be on the field, Detroit should be able to put up points and let go of last week's goose egg. Houston will always be able to put up points with Deshaun Watson at the helm.
Houston (-3) is the pick to take here though. The Lions have lost their last three Thanksgiving games and they will find a way to blow this one too. Matt Patricia has not been able to bring his defensive minded coaching style to Detroit and Deshaun will be giving him all sorts of trouble. Stafford and the offense will probably be able to keep it close, especially if they get Swift and Golladay back, but it won't be enough.
Texans 31
Detroit 27
Houston (-3)
Over 51.5
Washington Football Team @ Dallas Cowboys
Kickoff: 4:30 PM ET
Odds: Dallas (-3) / Over Under 46
The second game of the day is another traditional matchup with the Dallas Cowboys playing against whoever the NFL schedules for them. This year it is the Washington Football Team, who are 1-8 all time against the cowboys on Thanksgiving. Both teams come in with a 3-7 record and the winner of this game will take sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
The fact that these teams are still very in the playoff race because of how bad their division is already laughable, but both teams are coming off wins they needed to make this matchup as big as it is. Washington won the first matchup of the season in D.C. by a score of 25-3.
Both teams are on backup quarterbacks with a gruesome leg injury ending Dak Prescott's season and bringing Andy Dalton as the starter for Dallas. Washington benched Dwayne Haskins early in the season, then backup Kyle Allen also suffered a terrible leg injury to bring in Alex Smith.
These two QBs have both been in the league for a long time and know what it takes to put their teams in winning situations. They both have a variety of weapons at their disposal as well. We all know about the Cowboys receiving core and Ezekiel Elliot in the backfield, but don't underrate Washington's playmakers either.
The running back duo of Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic have been great for Alex Smith, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin already has made his name in the league as a true number one, yet he is listed as questionable (ankle) for Thursday's game. He is really the only big injury question for either teams in this game.
Dallas has the second worst run defense in the league and the ninth worst overall, which should boast well for all of Washington's threats to make a big impact on this game.
Washington on the other hand sits as the best pass defense and sixth best defense overall in the league. This comes from their amazing pass rush lead by rookie Chase Young who has been as advertised after being drafted second overall in this years NFL draft.
Prediction
These two teams have pretty different identities. It is a division game with a lot on the line so I do expect this to be very competitive and will be closer than the first. Dallas will be able to put some more points this time, but i'm not convinced they will be able to get away from Chase Young and company to make enough plays downfield and get into the endzone.
Washington will be able to use their running backs as much as they want without any consequences, and even if Dallas starts to close up on them Alex Smith is an accurate QB who knows how to read a defense. The Cowboys do not have a good defense anyway so it works in Washington's favor even more.
You have to go with Washington (+3) in this game and even take the moneyline as well. Dallas is way to inconsistent to trust even though they had a good win over the Vikings last week. This is prime Cowboy failure just waiting to happen.
Washington 34
Cowboys 21
Washington (+3)
Over 46
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