Previewing the NFL’s three-game Thanksgiving Day slate

The GIST: Lions and tigers turkey and Bears…oh my! This NFC North matchup is a tale of two very different teams — first-in-the-division Detroit has won nine straight while last-place Chicago is on a five-game losing skid.

Will the Lions keep gobbling up the competition? Or can the Bears wake up from the tryptophan and pull off an upset?

Turkey Day mainstay Lions roaring through the season: Don’t be dismayed by their 37-45-2 (wins, losses, ties) Thanksgiving record, Detroit has played every Thanksgiving since 1934 (save a six-year stretch for World War II). But these Lions have been on the prowl as of late, boasting the best record in the NFC.

Led by head coach and turkey hater Dan Campbell, veteran quarterback (QB) Jared Goff, and running back (RB) Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit’s putting up a league-best 32.7 points per game on average. Pouring it on thick.

Bears aiming for stability on the big stage: No. 1 overall 2024 draft pick, QB Caleb Williams, was supposed to help Chicago graduate from the kid’s table this season, but offensive line woes have continued to plague Da Bears, who are yielding four sacks per game.

That said, there have been some glimmers of hope, like Williams’ connection with fellow rookie, wide receiver (WR) Rome Odunze. Just like your aunt’s mystery casserole, it’s anyone’s guess what we’ll see from this squad today.

Prediction: Even without injured defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, this Lions defense has been nearly as strong as their offense, limiting their opponents to a league-low 17 touchdowns across their 11 games. Expect the Lions to blow out the Bears.

The GIST: Pass the gravy and the stuffing because it’s going to take a lot to remedy the dryness of this matchup between these ailing NFC East foes, with the Giants on a six-game losing streak and the ’Boys barely snapping their five-game skid over the weekend.

America’s Team plagued by inconsistency: Like the Lions, Cowboys football has been a Thanksgiving Day staple since 1966, amassing a 33-22-1 record on the occasion. But this squad hasn’t been feasting this year, especially after starting QB Dak Prescott went out with a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9.

That said, Dallas’ supporting cast, including special teams, stepped up in a big way in Prescott’s absence on Sunday to defeat the upstart Washington Commanders 34–26. Perhaps teamwork will make the dreamwork en route to a holiday miracle.

Giants serving up cutlets for dinner: The G-Men are going through more of an identity crisis than your middle school–aged cousin, recently releasing longtime QB Daniel Jones and opting for backup Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito under center. Unfortunately, DeVito is dealing with a forearm injury, putting Drew Lock in line to make the start.

RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. and rookie WR Malik Nabers have shown promise for NY, but they might need a wishbone to wake up this stagnant offense.

Prediction: An ugly one, TBH — both teams rank in the bottom third in offense and are relying on their backup QBs. Not to mention, Dallas is struggling with injuries and are winless at home this season. Hey, at least watching this beats being on clean-up duty?

The GIST: The NFL definitely saved the best for last with this evening showdown pitting two surging squads against each other — the Pack have won six of their last seven games while Miami’s been scorching, boasting three straight Ws. Leave some room for this delectable finale.

Packers spreading the Love on Thanksgiving: Green Bay QB Jordan Love overcame an early season injury and a recent groin strain, and his play is keeping his team in playoff contention, a tall task in the crowded NFC North.

The Pack are getting the job done on the ground, too, thanks to RB Josh Jacobs, who had three touchdowns in their impressive 38–10 Sunday win over the reigning NFC champ San Francisco 49ers.

Dolphins offense just keeps swimming with the return of Tua Tagovailoa (pronounced Tah-go-vai-LOH-ah): The Fins struggled for the four weeks their QB1 was in concussion protocol, but have since returned to form, averaging nearly 30 points per game in their last five games with the southpaw under center.

Plus, the Tagovailoa–led offense has a cornucopia of weapons in RB De’Von Achane, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a dynamic WR group. So stacked.

Prediction: A whole lot of points to go along with your pie because these teams can score in bunches. That said, the Dolphins will have to contend with Thanksgiving travel and face a hostile environment in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Watch for Green Bay to win a close one at home — there’s no place like it for the holidays, after all.