Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is hit as he makes a catch by Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 19, 2023.Jim Dedmon/Reuters
These aren’t the same old Detroit Lions everyone is used to watching on Thanksgiving.
The Lions (8-2) enter Thursday’s game against the Green Bay Packers (4-6) with their best record through 10 games since 1962.
A turnaround that started with a 7-2 finish after a 1-6 start in 2022 carried over into this season and the Lions hold a 2½ game lead over Minnesota in the NFC North.
Jared Goff bounced back from three picks to lead Detroit to a comeback win over Chicago last week. Jordan Love rallied the Packers to a comeback win last week over the Chargers.
The Packers-Lions kick off a holiday football feast that features three divisional matchups. Dallas hosts Washington in the late afternoon game and San Francisco visits Seattle in the nightcap.
The Lions are 7½-point favourites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks likes the first-place team.
LIONS, 27-17
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Line: Steelers minus 1½
Maybe a new offensive co-ordinator and play-caller will get Kenny Pickett and the Steelers (6-4) going. The Bengals (5-5) turn to Jake Browning with Joe Burrow out for the season.
BEST BET: STEELERS, 22-16
Buffalo at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles minus 3
The Eagles (9-1) are flying high after a comeback win in their Super Bowl rematch against Kansas City. They’re the better team but it’ll be difficult to match the emotion and intensity after facing KC, especially in a short, holiday week coming off a Monday night road win with an NFC championship game rematch against the 49ers looming ahead. Josh Allen and the Bills (6-5) are the more desperate team.
UPSET SPECIAL: BILLS, 24-23
Washington at Dallas
Line: Cowboys minus 12½
The Cowboys (7-3) have won six games by 23 or more points but their schedule is going to get much tougher after the Commanders (4-7) so they need to take advantage against a losing team before a tough stretch. Washington has been inconsistent, playing Philadelphia close twice but getting swept by the Giants.
COWBOYS, 31-16
San Francisco at Seattle
Line: 49ers minus 7
The 49ers (7-3) are healthy and back to playing at a championship calibre. The Seahawks (6-4) just finished being swept by the Rams and quarterback Geno Smith is banged up.
49ERS, 26-17
Miami at New York Jets
Line: Dolphins minus 9½
The first Black Friday game features Tua Tagovailoa and Miami’s high-octane offence against the Jets (4-6) and their stingy defence. If only Aaron Rodgers was under centre for New York to face the first-place Dolphins (7-3). Instead, Tim Boyle makes his first after replacing Zach Wilson.
DOLPHINS, 24-16
New England at New York Giants
Line: Patriots minus 3½
Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe will start for the Patriots (2-8) who somehow are road favourites despite their dismal record. The Giants (3-8) aren’t much better but Tommy DeVito led them to a win last week.
PATRIOTS, 23-18
Jacksonville at Houston
Line: Jaguars minus 1½
This is an unexpected battle for first place in the AFC South. The defending division champion Jaguars (7-3) were supposed to be in this position. The surprising Texans (6-4) are in playoff contention thanks to rookie sensation QB C.J. Stroud and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans.
JAGUARS, 27-23
New Orleans at Atlanta
Line: Falcons minus 1½
The first-place Saints (5-5) and the Falcons (4-6) face each other again in Week 17 in a game that could determine the NFC South. The winner this week gets a clear advantage. Desmond Ridder is back as Atlanta’s starting QB. Derek Carr began the week in concussion protocol so it could be Jamies Winston under centre for New Orleans.
FALCONS, 22-20
Carolina at Tennessee
Line: Titans minus 4
Rookie No. 1 pick Bryce Young and the Panthers (1-9) are having a miserable season. So are the Titans (3-7). At least losing helps Tennessee get a better draft pick. Carolina’s first-round pick belongs to Chicago.
TITANS, 21-20
Tampa Bay at Indianapolis
Line: Colts minus 2½
The surprising Colts (5-5) are in playoff contention, but made a stunning move this week to release three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard. The Buccaneers (4-6) are only in the playoff mix because they’re in a weak division.
BUCCANEERS, 24-23
Kansas City at Las Vegas
Line: KC minus 9½
Patrick Mahomes and KC (7-3) aim to bounce back after beating themselves against Philadelphia. They’ve got issues on offence, especially in the second half. The Raiders (5-6) have won both of rookie QB Aidan O’Connell’s home starts.
KC, 24-16
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona
Line: Cardinals minus 1½
Kyler Murray has made the Cardinals (2-9) more competitive. The Rams (4-6) are hanging in the playoff mix thanks to their defence.
RAMS, 20-17
Cleveland at Denver
Line: Broncos minus 1½
Even with rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Browns (7-3) are a contender because Myles Garrett and the defence have been dominant. Russell Wilson and the Broncos (5-5) have won four in a row and the defence has completely turned things around since giving up 70 points in Week 3.
BRONCOS, 19-16
Baltimore at Los Angeles Chargers
Line: Ravens minus 3½
Losing tight end Mark Andrews hurts the offence, but the Ravens (8-3) have a real chance to hold onto the No. 1 seed if they win the games they’re supposed to the rest of the way. The underachieving Chargers (4-6) have been a major disappointment mostly because of a defence so bad even Justin Herbert can’t rescue them.
RAVENS, 27-24
Chicago at Minnesota
Line: Vikings minus 3½
Joshua Dobbs and the Vikings (6-5) try to rebound after a turnover-filled game ended their five-game winning streak. Justin Field returned and invigorated the offence, but the Bears (3-8) blew a big lead and couldn’t hold on to upset Detroit.
VIKINGS, 24-21
Last week: Straight up: 8-6. Against spread: 7-7
Overall: Straight up: 103-61. Against spread: 89-69-6.
Best bet: Straight up: 8-3. Against spread: 5-5-1.
Upset special: Straight up: 7-4. Against spread: 8-3.
Thursday: Straight up: 8-3. Against spread: 8-2-1.
Monday: Straight up: 8-5. Against spread: 9-3-1.