NFL Thanksgiving/Black Friday Picks & Preview

 

By Monty Babers
Special to DFWSportsOnline.com

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (11:30 a.m. on FOX)

● Spread ○ Detroit -7.5
● Moneyline ○ Lions -358, Packers +281
● Total ○ 47

As tradition, the Detroit Lions play the early game every Thanksgiving Day. This year is different as they are 8-2 and look to beat their division rival Packers. Every Detroit fan can rejoice this holiday. Coach Dan Campbell’s team is exciting and Lions fans have been waiting for a favorable chance while eating turkey and avoiding small talk with their family! Green Bay is coming off a close and much needed victory against the Chargers last week, but the buck stops here I’m afraid. Detroit has a stranglehold in the division, feeling they can win it all this year. The Packers are in the middle of a rebuild with a very young core. I predict Detroit will handle business, winning by double digits.

My hot pick: Detroit -7.5

Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys (3:30 p.m. on CBS)

● Spread ○ Dallas -11
● Moneyline ○ Washington+431, Dallas-594
● Total ○ 48.5

The Cowboys handled their business on the road last week against the Carolina Panthers. Dallas is favored by 11 in this divisional match-up, yet there’s a chance it could be a lot closer than that. Washington had an inexplicable loss to the Giants in Week 11 that was never close and they will be looking to make a comeback and fight for a wildcard spot. Dallas and Washington know each other very well and have notoriously had close games as of late. This year is very different with Dallas’ undeniable talent making them legitimate contenders. The Commanders are more than likely going to fire their head coach Ron Rivera after the season and had a fire sale at the trade deadline that included dealing former first round pick Chase Young to the 49ers. Dallas should handle this one while possibly having a scare at some point during the game.

Hot pick: Over 48.5

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks (7:20 p.m. on NBC )

● Spread ○ SanFrancisco -7.0
● Moneyline ○ 49ers -308, Seahawks +243
● Total ○ 43

This should be a Turkey Day night cap to remember! Two teams with records not far o from each other in the same division. One wanting to retain first place, and one fighting to hurdle the other. The Niners are playing great football and all their stars seem to be shining bright. Seattle is a team that can play with anyone and are real contenders in the NFC playoff race. With a few looming injuries on either side, this game is set to be a nailbiter. You’ll likely want to tune in to see a great division match-up between two teams with Super Bowl dreams! The Niners likely win in a close game that goes to the wire.

Hot pick: 49ers -308

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (Fri. 2 p.m. on Prime Video)

● Spread ○ Miami-10.0
● Moneyline ○ Miami-488,NY+367
● Total ○ 41

Not sure why we’re getting another game with the Jets in Prime Time but hey, it’s football you can watch instead of shopping! Miami is favored by double digits, no surprise there. The Jets recently benched Zach Wilson for Tim Boyle seemingly punting on the season. Aaron Rodgers will not likely be back and they are too far back in the record books to hope for a spot in the very competitive AFC wildcard. Miami dominates bad teams, looking to keep rolling with the incredible offense they have. Miami gets it done in a statement!

Hot Pick: Miami -10.0