NFLThere are three days all football fans look forward to: Super Bowl Day, Draft Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Draft Day was a few months ago. Super Bowl Day is still a couple of months off. So, tomorrow, we have Thanksgiving Day to look forward to. Here at NBS, we look forward to watching the games. Additionally, we look forward to betting the games this year as well. Today, I will evaluate the odds of each Thanksgiving Day matchup and help you pick your three-leg parlay.
First, it’s important to note that note there will only be two games played on Thursday. Due to positive COVID-19 tests with the Ravens, the Steelers-Ravens game is now Sunday afternoon. So, I might as well start with that game. Sports Betting Dime (SBD) shows this game is a toss-up, with each team getting 50% of the bet. However, I am not so sure if the game will be that close due to the positive COVID tests.
The Ravens have seven players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. These players include offensive linemen Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura and defensive lineman Calais Campbell. Campbell was already questionable heading into the game with a calf injury. Also, the COVID list includes J.K Dobbins and Mark Ingram. The odds are just not in favor of Baltimore. The spread is -2, -2.5, and -4 with DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM for Blitzburgh. I think the Steelers win by a touchdown, easily covering the spread for this matchup.
Second, we have the first matchup of the day between the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. Both teams are unspectacular this season at 3-7 (Texans) and 4-6 (Lions). As it most often does, this one will come down to which players play in this game. In that regard, the odds are not in favor of Houston. Wide receivers Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills are both out of the contest. Conversely, the outlook is a little brighter for the Lions.
Detroit lists Kenny Golladay, Matt Stafford, T.J. Hockenson, and Danny Amendola as questionable on the injury report. Three of those players were limited participants of the Tuesday walkthrough. The only non-participant was Kenny Golladay. Golladay was listed as week-to-week when initially injured in Week 8. He has not played in a game since then. With the Lions non-committal on whether or not Kenny will play, it’s unlikely that he will.
According to SBD, the Texans are getting 58% of the vote. With spreads of +2, +1.5, and -2.5 for the Texans, I believe the odds favor the Lions in this game. It will be a close game, but Detroit should have no issue winning by a field goal. The injuries Houston already has to deal with is just too much. The Lions win the battle of the bad teams.
Last, we have the classic matchup of the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team. Both teams are fresh off victories in Week 11, which slightly helps the NFC Least’s standing. Washington will be without defensive players Ryan Anderson, Jared Norris, and Deshazor Everett. Leading wide receiver Terry McLaurin is questionable with an ankle injury but is expected to play.
For the Cowboys, their injury report might be the best it’s looked all season. Only Greg Zuerlein and Anthony Brown show up as questionable. Dallas put together their best performance of the season with a win against the Vikings. They will also be looking for a measure of revenge after their embarrassing loss to Washington earlier this season.
SBD shows that the Football Team is getting 85% of the best, making them the overwhelming betting favorite. Again, I will be going against the grain on this one. Even with Chase Young, Washington has significant losses on defense. Zeke found his stride last game, and he will continue that. The odds have Dallas as favorites at -1.5, -1.5, and -3. I’m going to make a bold prediction. This will be the Cowboys’ biggest win of the season, and they will win by double digits.
In conclusion, your three-leg parlay for Thursday/Sunday is the Steelers, Lions, and Cowboys (all ATS). Even with only two games Thursday, it should still be a great day of football. All three betting sites have exclusive promotions for Turkey Day. So, be sure to take advantage of those. Also, check out our more in-depth coverage for numerous teams with NBS!
