This year’s Thanksgiving Day slate features two NFC match-ups and a showdown between the Bills and the Cowboys that will have a major effect on the playoff race. 

Last week saw the Seahawks dominate the Eagles in Philadelphia to win 17-9 while the 49ers recorded a big win over the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots were also successful in a tight game with the Cowboys. This means the Patriots and 49ers are still top of the pile in the AFC and NFC respectively with 10-1 records. Seattle Seahawks aren’t far behind their NFC West rivals 49ers with a 9-2 record.

With that in mind, we have a preview of all the major Thanksgiving games.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - Thursday November 28 - 5:30PM

The Chicago Bears head to Michigan to face the Lions on Thanksgiving Day for the second year in a row. The Bears won that one 23-16 without starting QB Mitch Trubisky on their way to a 12-4 record in the 2018 season.

It looks like it will be the Lions who are without their starting QB for this one. Matthew Stafford has missed the last three games for Detroit with fractured bones in his back and he could miss out on the remainder of the season.

The Bears need a win on Thursday to return to a .500 record and reignite their playoff hopes. Trubisky has come under fire this season but he showed some poise in Sunday’s win over the Giants on Sunday. He completed 25-0f-41 passes including a touchdown.

Jeff Driskel is most likely to be his opposing QB on Thursday afternoon. The 2016 draft pick has started under center in the last three games for the Lions. He has thrown 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in the 2019 regular season. 

The Bears have had one of the best defenses in the league for a number of years now and Driskel will struggle against Matt Nagy’s pass rush. The 26-year-old threw three interceptions in their 19-16 loss to a poor Washington Redskins on Sunday and things will not get any easier at Ford Field.

We’re backing the Bears to win by some margin. GiveMeBet has the spread at 3.5 with Bears (-3.5) listed at 25/27. There’s more appealing odds in the alternative spreads and we’re tipping the Bears (-5.5) at 23/20 with GiveMeBet.

Buffalo Bills @ Dallas Cowboys - Thursday November 28 - 9:30PM

The Buffalo Bills are heading south to Texas to play their first Thanksgiving Day game since 1994. They will come into this high on confidence after recording a 20-3 win over the Broncos on Sunday. That leaves them with an 8-3 record, well placed for an AFC Wildcard spot. If all goes to plan it will be only their second playoff appearance since 1999.

The Cowboys are also well placed for a playoff push. Jason Garrett’s team lead the NFC East with a 6-5 record. The Philadelphia Eagles are only one game behind though and the Cowboys need to pick up some wins before they face the Eagles on December 22.

That all makes for an interesting matchup and there’s no doubt that this game will be the Thanksgiving highlight for most NFL fans.

The betting looks favourable for the Bills at the moment. Considering they have won two on the trot and they have only lost one game on their travels, the +6.5 point spread they have been given is appealing. The Cowboys have lost two at home this season already and they are coming off a tough loss to the Patriots on Sunday.

We’re going with the Bills (+6.5) at 25/26 with GiveMeBet.

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons - Friday November 29 - 1:20AM

NFC favourites New Orleans Saints face the Atlanta Falcons for the second time this month on Thursday evening (Friday morning UK).

The Falcons faced the Saints in New Orleans on November 10 and beat them 26-9 in what is still the biggest upset of the season. Their fortunes before and after that Week 10 game have varied drastically. The Saints are in control of the NFC South with a 9-2 record while the Falcons have struggled in the same division. Dan Quinn’s side have a 3-8 record.

That Week 10 result was an anomaly for both teams and it may have skewed the betting lines slightly for this Thanksgiving Day game. The Saints are listed as seven point favourites with the bookmakers and you can back that at Evens with GiveMeBet. The Falcons have one of the worst defenses in the league and they are coming off an embarrassing 35-22 defeat to the Bucs on Sunday. In contrast, the Saints beat the Panthers 34-31 on Sunday. That points to another high scoring game on Thursday and over 49 points at 20/21 could be worth a bet with GiveMeBet.

Week 13 Schedule & Betting Lines

All lines correct at time of writing. All times UK.

Green Bay Packers (-6.5) @ New York Giants, Sunday 6PM
New York Jets (-3.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 6PM
Philadelphia Eagles (-9.5) @ Miami Dolphins, Sunday 6PM
Cleveland Browns (-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday 6PM
Washington Redskins (+9.5) @ Carolina Panthers, Sunday 6PM
Tennessee Titans (+3) @ Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 6PM
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday 6PM
San Francisco 49ers (+6) @ Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 6PM
Los Angeles Rams (-3) @ Arizona Cardinals, Sunday 9:05PM
Oakland Raiders (+9.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday 9:25PM
Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) @ Denver Broncos, Sunday 9:25PM
New England Patriots (-3) @ Houston Texans, Monday 1:20AM
Minnesota Vikings (+3) @ Seattle Seahawks, Tuesday 1:15AM