Best bets for every NFL Thanksgiving game
Whether you're serious about making money or just need a break from all the family chatter on Thanksgiving, we've got you covered.
Here are our best bets for the three games being played on Thursday:
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Recommended Picks: Bears -2.5 and Under 44.5
Detroit and Chicago meet for the second time in three weeks after the Bears handed their division rival a 34-22 loss at Soldier Field. Chicago racked up a whopping 7.6 yards per play in the win while Detroit managed just 4.2.
The Bears' offense will likely have to operate without quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who is officially listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. But we're still confident in backing second-stringer Chase Daniel. Chicago's offense has the pieces to move the chains against a Lions defense allowing 6.4 adjusted yards per play, which ranks 31st in the league. Daniel should have no problem handing the ball off to Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen to run wild on a Lions rush defense allowing 4.8 yards per carry, 26th in the NFL.
The Lions' offense is still mediocre at best, averaging 5.4 yards per play this season. Detroit will be without running back Kerryon Johnson and wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., making for a very short list of weapons for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Pinnacle Sports and other shops are hanging -2.5 for those who want to get a good number on the road side. Other places still have 44.5 available on the total.
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
Recommended Pick: Redskins +7.5
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is 3-14-1 against the spread when his team plays on a short week (six days or fewer). It's a trend we'll hear about quite a bit, but it has nothing to do with why we like Washington on Thursday.
It'll be Colt McCoy leading the Redskins' offense, as Alex Smith is out after suffering a leg injury in the Week 11 loss to the Houston Texans. Washington's offense can't be much worse with McCoy than it was under Smith, a check-down savant who helped the unit muster just 5.1 yards per play heading into Week 12.
Before the season, Las Vegas' CG Technology gave bettors a glimpse at how valuable starting quarterbacks were to the point spread, pegging Smith as a three-to-four-point difference against a backup. We don't believe it's that much and think there's value with Washington despite McCoy operating under center.
While most shops are holding firm with -7 across the board, a couple of books, including The Greek, are hanging -7.5.
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Recommended Pick: Falcons team total over 23.5
Is the Saints' defense on the brink of a huge turnaround? The offense has garnered all the love during the team's nine-game winning streak, but the defense has passed the paper test, allowing just 21 points over the last two games and holding three of the previous four opponents to 20 points or fewer.
We aren't buying it. For a defense still allowing 6.1 yards per play, how are the Saints keeping teams off the scoreboard? Glad you asked.
In a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, New Orleans gave up 6.3 yards per play but benefited from a costly Vikings turnover deep in Saints territory, which changed the complexion of the game.
In a 51-14 Week 10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Saints played an A.J. Green-less offense and still managed to surrender 6.6 yards per play, but posted two more turnovers in their own territory.
There isn't much to knock on New Orleans in the 48-7 win last weekend, but the Philadelphia Eagles' coaching staff did admit how tough it's been to find a rhythm since acquiring Golden Tate from the Lions.
We feel the Saints have been fortunate in their recent defensive surge. Atlanta's offense is already capable of putting up points, and with Drew Brees and Co. feasting the way they have all season, there are opportunities for both more possessions and chances to score in garbage time for the Falcons.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.