Thanksgiving Football Preview

Happy Thanksgiving Bean's Bloggers! If your family is anything like mine, chances are there's a high probability of full plates, afternoon naps, and NFL Football in store for you today. And with a full slate of NFL games throughout the day -- we're here to give you some tidbits to impress your extended family with your ball knowledge. What to expect, who is playing (or what injured players might be returning), what times, and what my picks are on Turkey Day (bet responsibly).

Packers (7-3-1) @ Lions (7-4)

1:00 PM ET Kick-off -- FOX

Lions -2.5, O/U 48.5

What to Know:

Both of these teams are in 2nd and 3rd respectively behind the 8-3 Bears in the NFC North -- which means this is a VITALLY important game for both sides.

The Packers have rattled off a couple wins in a row after disappointing losses at home to the Panthers and Eagles -- and they throttled the Lions in Week 1 in their 1st meeting. The defense was humming in that win -- and they haven't allowed more than 20 points in 4 straight games.

The Lions have been inconsistent all year -- at home and on the road. They got taken to OT by Jameis and the Giants last week but escaped, scored just 9 in a loss to the Eagles before that, and lost at home to the JJ McCarthy led Vikes this month. But the Lions play on Thanksgiving every year -- and even in the really bad times to be a Lions fan -- they usually show up on Turkey Day.

Key Players/Injuries to Watch:

Packers:

• RB Josh Jacobs is questionable to play with a knee injury -- if he misses, Emmanuel Wilson is next man up and scored 2 TD's last week -- but Green Bay could really use Jacobs in this one.

• Micah Parsons is the defensive player you'll hear the most from the announcers -- keep an eye on LB Edgerrin Cooper and DE Rashan Gary to cause havoc, and LB Quay Walker if he plays.

• Wide Receiver Christian Watson from North Dakota State -- the Lions are susceptible to giving up big plays, and he's GB's best big play threat.

Lions:

• RB Jahmyr Gibbs was stonewalled by Green Bay in Week 1 -- but he's coming off a game where he scored 3 TD's and had over 260 yards againt NYG. Maybe the fastest player in the NFL.

• Amon-Ra St. Brown is their elite WR -- but coming off a zero catch game, keep an eye on St. Louis Native Jameson Williams -- an electric playmaker who can rip a 50+ yard TD any time. Went to Cardinal Ritter HS.

• Aidan Hutchinson is the best player on defense, and one of the best DE's in the league. But Iowa Hawkeye Jack Campbell is my favorite player -- plays like he's got a magnet to the ball in his shirt.

Bean's Prediction:

I love betting on the Lions on Thanksgiving, and I think they're the better team with more to prove in this game. But they'll need to bring some new tricks to the table, because they were shellshocked by this Packers' Defense in Week 1, and Jordan Love carved them up all day. Lions -2.5 is the play -- but I'm hesitant to believe in Detroit again.

Chiefs (6-5) @ Cowboys (5-5-1)

4:30 PM ET Kick-off -- CBS

Chiefs -3, O/U 52.5

What to Know:

If the season ended today, the Kansas City Chiefs would not be in the NFL Playoffs. I know that's difficult to hear for many of you St. Louis Scabs and Taylor Swift fans, but it's the cold hard truth.

The Chiefs are in need of some wins down the stretch to make the Postseason, but their opponents are desperate for wins themselves, and veterans of the Thanksgiving game. Dallas sits at 5-5-1 and outside the NFC playoff picture -- with tough games ahead. They have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, but will need to slow down Mahomes in a must-win game.

For the Chiefs, they need a win to give themselves a boost in the Wild Card race. Last week was the first time all season they've won a 1-score game -- after a season of going 12-0 in 1-score games in 2024. Mahomes has cooled off in recent weeks, and the defense has carried the load -- but he'll need to be on his A-game and take advantage of a porous Dallas Defense.

Key Players/Injuries to Watch:

Chiefs:

• Everyone knows Mahomes and Kelce -- and the Chiefs are getting healthier at the skill positions. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy look good to go with a full practices Tuesday, RB Isaiah Pacheco looks to be cleared to play and will join Kareem Hunt in a backfield committee.

• Chris Jones is the big name on defense -- but keep an eye on DE George Karlaftis who actually leads the team in sacks. And of course, Mizzou Tiger Nick Bolton -- their leader in tackles.

• A lesser-known player to watch -- Safety Chamarri Conner -- playing much better as of late.

Cowboys:

• There have been ups and downs, but Dak Prescott has played like an MVP for much of this season. This will be his toughest test of the year against a stout KC defense.

• Javonte Williams has cooled off from a hot start, but CeeDee Lamb is back and playing well (despite some drops last week), and George Pickens is looking like a Top-5 WR in the NFL.

• It's been tough sledding, but they look better the last couple weeks on D. Quinnen Williams came over a couple weeks ago in the Jets trade and has helped the D-Line.

Bean's Prediction

Call me a hater if you want, but I'll be rooting for the Cowboys Thursday -- mostly cause I want to see the Chiefs playing even more desperate over the last stretch of the season. I think the Chiefs are a better team and it wouldn't shock me to see them win big, but fuck it, we ball. DAL +3

Bengals (3-8) @ Ravens (6-5)

8:20 PM ET -- NBC

Ravens -7, O/U 52.5

What to Know:

The final game of the night is probably the least exciting match-up of the Day, but an intriguing one between Division Rivals who have something to prove.

The Ravens have rattled off 5 straight wins -- but I don't think any fans are feeling great about the state of their team. Lamar Jackson has looked banged up several games in a row, they've been sneaking past objectively bad teams -- but on the bright side, the defense is getting healthy and looking more like the stout unit we expected.

It's been the season from hell for the Bengals (again -- last year was a similar tune). They've lost 4 straight -- including heartbreakers against a bad Jets team and a Bears team they scored 42 points against. Their playoff hopes may already be shot -- but what could inject some hope into this team would be the return of Joe Burrow -- who at the time of writing this, is predicted to play.

Key Players/Injuries to Watch:

Ravens:

• Lamar Jackson has 3 straight games under 200 yards passing and just 1 TD pass since coming back from injury 4 weeks ago. The Bengals defense is a get-right spot, but how healthy is he?

• Derrick Henry has 5 TD's in his last 5 games, getting back on track -- and while he has just one TD on the season, WR Zay Flowers has cleared 58 yards in 5 straight games.

• The Ravens have ebbed and flowed defensively all year -- but 2 standouts that they need to perform well to keep Cincy in check are LB Roquan Smith and Safety Kyle Hamilton

Bengals:

• The #1 topic in this game -- Joe Burrow is slated to make his return from a toe injury that's sidelined him since Week 3. He is one of the most talented QBs in the NFL, but what version of Burrow will we see after nearly 3 months on the sideline?

• Tee Higgins is out this week with a concussion -- meaning we should see a heavy dose of Jamarr Chase and Chase Brown underneath. But watch for Andrei Iosivas or Mitch Tinsley to make a splash play or two as they search for a WR2.

• Cincy's defense is truly horrendous -- calling anyone on the defense a player to watch would be a lie -- especially since stud DE Trey Hendrickson has been ruled out again.

Bean's Prediction

I love Joe Burrow and think it would be cinematic to see him come back and lead the Bengals to a statement win, maybe even go on a magical run to clinch a Wild Card spot. But in my heart of hearts, I don't believe they can do it. But since I don't believe in the Ravens and Lamar Jackson's health either -- I'm going for a boring pick: the UNDER 52.5. (sprinkle Jamarr 2+ ATTD's because the guy owns the Ravens).

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving filled with family, great food, football, and winning bets! (if you're responsibly into that)