On Thanksgiving Day, the NFL will once again offer three huge games to go along with your Turkey feast (check out our NFL inspired thanksgiving day treats right here). The Packers and Lions battle in what could be a critical NFC North match-up, The Raiders, with a rookie QB, look to take down the Cowboys inside the opulent Cowboys Stadium and the Steelers and Ravens open another chapter in their ever-boiling rivalry.
Betting Preview for 2013 NFL Thanksgiving Day Games
Spread
Totals
Packers (+6) vs. Lions (-6)
12:30 PM ET
50.0
Raiders (+9.5) vs. Cowboys (-9.5)
4:30 PM ET
45.5
Steelers (+3) vs. Ravens (-3)
8:30 PM ET
40.5
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*All odds as of November 26.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions — 12:30 PM ET
Betting on the Green Bay Packers:
Injuries are nothing new to the Packers, even before they lost Aaron Rodgers to a shoulder injury. They don’t seem to mind them at all, winning all four of their October games despite missing James Jones, Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews, and tight end Jermichael Finley.
But the winning stopped abruptly when the injury bug bit the last player Green Bay would have liked to get hurt. Minus Rodgers, the Packers are 0-3-1 SU (including the Chicago game).
Green Bay is now relying on third-string QB Scott Tolzien to fill the shoes of his fallen comrades (back-up Seneca Wallace was injured, too). Without Rodgers, the Packers’ rushing game will carry a little bit more of the load. Green Bay is 6th in the NFL in rushing yards, mostly led by rookie of the year candidate, Eddie Lacy, who leads the team in that department.
Green Bay is 5-0 SU and ATS in their last five games against the Lions. Moreover, the Packers have won their last four Thanksgiving Day match-ups against Detroit.
Thanksgiving Day games have been forgettable for the Lions. They haven’t won a game on the holiday in their last nine tries – and four of those losses were against NFC North rival Green Bay.
In this edition of the Lions-Packers Thanksgiving match, Detroit could capitalize on the Packers’ loss of Aaron Rodgers. Instead of Rodgers, Matthew Stafford will be dueling Scott Tolzien. That scenario is much more preferable for the Lions defense as Rodgers is a vital player in the Packers’ hyped passing attack.
It could help Detroit’s own passing game to stand out. Driven by Stafford’s 318 passing yards per game (No.3 in NFL), Detroit is able to launch a heavy air attack of their own. The Lions’ 308.4 passing yards per game are 3rd in the league. Detroit is 3-1 SU in their last four home games.
The Raiders hope Terrelle Pryor can return to top form just in time for the Dallas game. Pryor was injured on November 3 against the Eagles and though he played in the following game against the Giants, he was obviously hurting from a knee sprain.
Perhaps, the Raiders can afford to rest Pryor some more, given that rookie QB Matt McGloin churned out an exceptional performance in the Raiders’ 28-23 Week 11 win over Houston.
McGloin threw 197 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in that game, which had many people wondering if the rookie could take over the QB starting job even if Pryor becomes fully healthy.
Tony Romo rarely loses Thanksgiving Day games. In fact, he is 5-1 SU in the last five Cowboys games he started on said occasion. The only blemish on his record was the 38-31 defeat Dallas was dealt by the Washington Redskins last year.
The resurgence of the Philadelphia Eagles has the Cowboys grip on the NFC East’s top spot in peril. More than just a bounce-back Thanksgiving game for Romo, the match against the Raiders holds significant ramifications in the tight divisional race. Especially since it comes on the heels of a victory over the Giants, who are gaining momentum (despite the loss) having won four of their last five games.
Dallas is among the best performing home teams against the spread this season. The Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last four games at AT&T Stadium.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens — 8:30 PM ET
Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Never mind if both teams are struggling this season, Steelers-Ravens is must-watch TV on any given day. Even more so if it’s a Thanksgiving Day special.
For the Steelers, their poor 0-4 SU start could be a thing of the past if they continue their winning ways. Pittsburgh has won four of their six games after absorbing a 34-27 defeat in London against the Vikings back in Week 4. The Steelers are doing so with a terrific passing offense and defense. Behind Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 8th in the NFL in passing yards while limiting opposition offense to just 224.4 passing yards per game.
After their Week 5 bye, the Steelers compiled two straight wins over the Jets and Baltimore. Against the Ravens, kicker Shaun Suisham scored a game-winning field goal to steer the Steelers to a 19-16 home win against their bitter rivals. Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in their last five games in Baltimore.
After losing their first meeting this season with Pittsburgh, the Ravens would like nothing more than payback — and that opportunity comes on the last Thursday of the month.
Coach John Harbaugh says his team is still in the hunt despite languishing near the bottom of the AFC North with a 5-6 SU record after Week 12. Baltimore missed a chance to record back-to-back wins when they fell short against the Bears (23-20) in overtime in Week 11. The Ravens won against the Bengals in Week 10 (20-17), which halted Baltimore’s three-game skid.
The Ravens are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six away games.
Are you ready for these trio of Thanksgiving Day thrillers? Check out the latest betting odds and lines in the NFL in Top Bet Sportsbook and place your bets now. Game on!
