Thanksgiving is here! It’s time for turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and NFL football. It’s a tried-and-true tradition: football and Thanksgiving just go together perfectly.
The NFL has put together a fun slate of games for Turkey Day, so let’s get right into it.
The NFL is kicking off Thanksgiving with a high-stakes divisional matchup. The Packers and Lions are in second and third place in the NFC North, respectively. The Chicago Bears currently lead the division with an 8-3 record.
The Lions’ offense has struggled over the past few weeks. Tight end Sam LaPorta is likely out for the year, and his absence has been felt. The game plan seems to work best through star running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Packers are coming off back-to-back wins over the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. They were without Josh Jacobs for the Vikings game, but he is set to return on Thursday.
The Lions were embarrassed by the Packers in the first week of the season. It’s hard to imagine they’ll get the sweep here, especially when they have some major offensive struggles themselves.
Winner: Detroit Lions
The Chiefs’ chances at winning the AFC West might be slim, but their playoff hopes are still alive and well. They’re heading to Dallas to face a Cowboys team that’s flying high after Sunday.
The Cowboys took on the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last week. After falling 21-0 in the first half, they found another gear, scoring 24 unanswered points for the win.
Not to be outdone, the Chiefs are coming off a thriller of their own. They narrowly defeated the Indianapolis Colts with an overtime field goal. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t looked like himself this year, but Kansas City is finding a way to stay in the fight.
This game has huge playoff implications for both teams. They’re both on the bubble to make it to the dance, but Dallas’ defense might be its downfall here. The Chiefs find a way to win.
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Burrow vs. Lamar Jackson on Thanksgiving sounds like every football fan’s dream. It’s even more fun when they’re both scratching and clawing at playoff hopes.
Burrow could be playing his first game since Week 2 and will undoubtedly have some rust to shake off. The Bengals are 3-8, and playoff chances are slim, but if the superstar QB can come in and run the table, they’ll have a shot.
The Ravens are currently holding the fourth seed for the playoffs. They’re tied for first in the division with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are also 6-5. Every win matters for Baltimore to separate itself from its rival.
This game could bury the Bengals even deeper in the AFC North. If the Ravens lose and the Steelers win on Sunday, the division will change hands. Burrow’s rust could be a contributing factor to the Ravens winning here. If he doesn’t play, it may be an even easier game to predict.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
The NFL is once again hosting a game on Black Friday, between the Bears and the Eagles. Imagine telling a Bears fan their team would have the same record as the Super Bowl champs in late November.
The Ben Johnson effect is real in Chicago. The head coach has turned a bottom-of-the-barrel team into a powerhouse in his first season. Caleb Williams is showing flashes of his potential, and he has a tough test ahead of him.
The Eagles are coming off a collapse against the Cowboys. Prior to that, they defeated the Packers and the Lions, winning those games 10-7 and 16-9, respectively. Philly’s defense is dominant, but the offense is still missing a spark.
This game is a terrific way to gauge how far Chicago has come. They could be missing several key defensive stars on Friday, leaving Philly with a favorable matchup. The Bears could win this game, but it’s hard to bet against the champs.
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
There’s nothing quite like seeing your family members, eating a ton of food, and watching some football on Thanksgiving. The NFL has put together a terrific slate for fans to enjoy.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
