A Tradition Like No Other

It’s difficult to think of any professional league linking itself to a holiday as effectively as the NFL has done with Thanksgiving. We’ve grown so accustomed to football on Turkey Day that it would be strange to imagine the holiday without it. Even stranger is the fact that, for the first time in recent memory, the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving game elicits hope and excitement from NFL fans, rather than the usual boredom 😂

Today’s slate of games includes six NFC teams, and each matchup features a top conference contender in the Lions, Cowboys and 49ers. While the defending NFC champion Eagles are now co-favorites to win the Super Bowl at +450 after MVS dropped this pass on Monday, each of these squads has a legitimate chance to take the throne 👑

• Their opponents largely lack the same postseason aspirations, as the Packers and Commanders appear highly unlikely to join the playoff race

• The best matchup of the day is San Francisco vs. Seattle, as the Seahawks pose a formidable threat to the Niners’ NFC West supremacy. They are low key just one game back in the division 👀

NFC Title Odds

• Eagles: +190

• 49ers: +220

• Cowboys: +550

• Lions: +600

• Seahawks: +1900

What To Watch

Our first Thanksgiving matchup showcases an NFC North battle between the squad that has ruled the division for much of the past few decades, and the team currently sitting atop it. Expectations were running high as the Lions entered the season following their hot finish to last year’s campaign. They have more than lived up the hype, currently sitting at No. 2 in the NFC 🔥

• Detroit faces a Packers squad that has looked middling at best this year, with the post-Aaron Rodgers era off to a tough start

• Jordan Love and co. will face an uphill battle vs. this emotionally charged Lions team, who is hungry for a second straight divisional win. Big spread though

• My pick: Packers +7.5

Our second game takes us to the NFC East, where the Cowboys have established themselves as the clear cut No. 2 behind Philadelphia. It’s been more of the same this year for America’s team — despite racking up monster wins vs. an assortment of uninspiring squads, Dallas has struggled mightily against the league’s elite 😬

• Fortunately for Dallas, they face off vs. the Commanders, who have looked bad as of late. I mean they just lost to the Giants

• Washington QB Sam Howell surprisingly leads the league in passing yards, but he’s also lapping the field in an unfortunate stat. No protection!

• My pick: Cowboys -12.5

Our final Thanksgiving matchup will likely provide the most entertainment, as this NFC West rivalry has only grown after last year’s Wild Card battle. The Seahawks are coming off of a massively disappointing loss vs. the Rams, who have somehow had their number this year 🤔

• The 49ers, on the other hand, have resumed their dominant play after a shockingly lackluster stretch

• When Brock Purdy and the offense are rolling, it’s clear that San Francisco may very well be the league’s most talented and well-rounded squad 🔥

With Geno Smith expected to play, but banged up, and Kenneth Walker out, my pick for tonight’s game is Niners -7 on the road 🔨

Trivia Question: The Lions and Cowboys have both been playing on Thanksgiving for about as long as anyone can remember — whose Turkey Day tradition began first?

For My Parlay Gurus

While Detroit is riding an emotional high, their defensive play has left a lot to be desired, so I like the Packers to cover despite the Lions pulling out a W. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have no problem beating up on lesser squads, so expect that trend to continue today. Finally, look for the 49ers to show themselves to be a cut above their division rival in a dominant win 👇

• Packers +7.5 @ Lions: -102

• Cowboys -12.5 vs. Commanders: -110

• 49ers -7 @ Seahawks: -115

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Trivia Answer: The Lions were the first squad to establish their Thanksgiving tradition back in 1934, as the Cowboys started a few decades later in 1966

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