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NFL Betting Predictions: Week 12 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Jason Radowitz - 11/24/2020

Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions

It’s a tradition to watch the NFL on Thanksgiving. We’re blessed with three games and get to enjoy family along with football. This year, many of us won’t get the opportunity to spend quality time with family, but we’ll also still have the chance to watch football.

These games have traditionally included the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in two of the three games as a tradition. But these teams aren’t in playoff contention and have poor match-ups. Therefore, the NFL figures to add one more game without those two teams that is a big primetime game between two division rivals. They’ve done that since 2012.

The Lions have now played 80 games on Thanksgiving and will play their 81st game on Thursday during Thanksgiving. If you sign a contract with the Lions (or Cowboys), be prepared to miss some of Thanksgiving with family.

Usually, Stafford will have friends and family come to town for the game, eat dinner and hang out. It’s a fun tradition that Stafford had that he’ll be unable to accomplish this season.

Stafford didn’t play in this game in 2019, but he’s been with the Lions as their starter for quite some time. But this has helped the Lions and their brand and has given us plenty of memories throughout Stafford and the Lions career with Stafford under center.

For teams that aren’t playing on Thursday, they’ll have a Thanksgiving morning practice and then are allowed to wander off and celebrate with their family and friends.

Things are different this season due to COVID-19, but the tradition of the Lions and Cowboys will continue.

Houston Texans vs Detroit Lions (+2.5, 51.5): The Texans finally won a game against an opponent other than the Jaguars, after defeating the Patriots on a big defensive stand in the fourth quarter. Deshaun Watson looked terrific throwing the ball and destroyed a defense that was returning Stephon Gilmore. The running game hasn’t been good all season for the Texans, especially with David Johnson injured, but the Lions could be without their rookie running back in D’Andre Swift. The Lions defense struggled to score against a Carolina defense that hasn’t been great and also allowed 20 points to a back-up quarterback in PJ Walker, who also threw two interceptions in the endzone. Those interceptions made the game feel closer, but it wasn’t. I like Watson to throw all over that Lions secondary. Pick: Texans.

Washington Football Team vs Dallas Cowboys (+3, 46.5): What if I told you that two 3-7 teams would be facing off in a game where the winner could take first place? Well, it’s true. The Eagles are falling fast, and now the NFC East is anyone’s to win. The Cowboys looked better offensively for the first time since Dak Prescott was injured. Andy Dalton looked confident and poised and was able to utilize plenty of playmakers on the field against the Vikings. Nobody expected 31 points from the Cowboys, but Dalton delivered. The Cowboys defense has been bad, but the Washington offense won’t score near 30 points.  Pick: Cowboys.

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5, TBD): The Ravens are 6-4 on the season, and it’s kind of embarrassing at this point. Lamar Jackson insisted that their loss to the Titans was because they didn’t want it bad enough. Where’s the urgency? The Steelers have that urgency. They’ve faced two bad teams in their last two games but blew both out easily and are now 10-0 and undefeated. That’s the type of urgency that wins football games. Jackson’s razzle dazzle isn’t working much anymore with defenses scouting and knowing how to defend his elusiveness. I like the Steelers to keep their undefeated streak alive. It’s fun to root for it. Pick: Steelers

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