NFL Betting: 3 Crucial Football Matchups Highlight Thanksgiving Thursday

The unofficial start to the holiday season kicks off this morning with three games on the schedule for Nov. 27 in Week 13. The NFL’s annual tradition of football on the television (and dressing on your plate) will include three gridiron battles for your football-loving friends and family.

The Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) take on the Detroit Lions (7-4) to kickstart the day, the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) visit the Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) in the afternoon window, and the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) against the Baltimore Ravens (6-5) in primetime on Thursday Night Football. Here is a look at the NFL’s Thanksgiving betting scene, so that you can place your wagers before the tush push for that tasty turkey leg begins on Thursday afternoon.

Early NFL game: Packers at Lions (1 p.m.)

Both Packers and Lions have faced adversity with losses to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) over recent weeks. Both squads responded to those setbacks with a win the following weekend over the New York Giants (2-10). In Week 13, the two NFC North squads will duel in a critical divisional clash.

NFL Week 13 Odds: Packers at Lions
Spread |
Moneyline | GB +124, DET -146
Over-Under Total | 49.5 points
Money Against the Spread | 75% GB
Bets Against the Spread | 77% GB
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook | Odds are subject to change

The Lions are a home favorite with a 54% projection to win on Thursday, according to ESPN Analytics.

Best Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs 100+ combined yards

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has devoured NFL defenses in November. The 23-yard old did whatever he wanted in a 264-yard outing in last weekend’s overtime win against the Giants. While he was limited to 39 rushing yards against the Eagles in Week 11, Gibbs secured 107 yards through the air for a 146-yards in the one-score loss to the Eagles. The second-year RB has 51 carries for 425 yards and four rushing touchdowns over the past four weeks which has allowed Detroit to stay competitive in an extremely tight divisional race.

NFL Week 12 Odds: Jahmyr Gibbs 100+ Combined Yards
Gibbs 80+ Combined Yards | -440
Gibbs 90+ Combined Yards | -270
Gibbs 100+ Combined Yards | -168
Gibbs 110+ Combined Yards | -112
Gibbs 125+ Combined Yards | +158
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook | Odds subject to change

The Packers feature a top-10 rushing defense . Micah Parsons and his defensive mates are allowing an average of 96.5 yards per game, the sixth-best average in the league. Still, Gibbs is one of the premier options out of the backfield in the league. The Lions tailback enters playing at an elite level and will be looking to prove his 29-yard outing from Detroit’s season-opening loss to Green Bay in September was an anomaly with a 100+ yard performance.

Afternoon NFL game: Chiefs at Cowboys (4:30 p.m.)

Kansas City sports fans are facing the horror of missing the NFL postseason party for the first time in a decade following a dubious start for Andy Reid’s squad. The Chiefs overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12 showcased that Patrick Mahomes and friends are not ready for vacation just yet. The Chiefs losses have teams in playoff position: the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), Philadelphia (8-3), Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4), the Buffalo Bills (7-4) and the Denver Broncos (9-2). However, those defeats have left K.C. with a razor-thin margin for error over the next few weeks of action.

Despite a 24-point comeback over the Eagles last weekend, Dallas faces a steeper climb to postseason contention in what feels like a lost season for the Cowboys Currently, the eight-win San Francisco 49ers are outside the postseason window looking in at the party which should tell you everything you need to know about that playoff landscape in the NFC .

NFL Week 13 Odds: Chiefs at Cowboys
Spread | KC -3.5
Moneyline | KC -180, DAL -152
Over-Under Total | 52.5 points
Money Against the Spread | 57% K.C.
Bets Against the Spread | 54% K.C.
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook | Odds are subject to change

The Chiefs are road favorites with a 63% chance to win on Thursday, according to ESPN Analytics.

Best Bet: Patrick Mahomes 250+ Passing Yards

Mahomes has averaged 294 yards per game over the last month of NFL action as the Chiefs recovered from their 0-2 start to a winning record in 2025. He is completing 64% of his passes and protecting the football with 18 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The 30-year-old’s will eclipse the 3,000-yard threshold this week (barring injury) as he attempts to keep Kansas City with a chance at postseason glory. Kansas City’s superstar should find plenty of passing room against a Cowboys defense allowing 252.3 yards per game, the third-worst mark in the league.

NFL Week 12 Odds: Mahomes 250+ Passing Yards
Mahomes 200+ Passing Yards | -600
Mahomes 225+ Passing Yards | -310
Mahomes 250+ Passing Yards | -174
Mahomes 275+ Passing Yards | +102
Mahomes 300+ Passing Yards | +182
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook | Odds subject to change

A win this weekend against the Cowboys could position Kansas City in an AFC wild card spot (pending other scoreboard outcomes) heading into December.

Primetime NFL game: Bengals at Ravens (8:20 p.m.)

The buzzards were circling Baltimore following a 1-5 start for the Ravens, who are now shockingly tied with the division lead in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5). Lamar Jackson ’s return has led to five straight wins.

Cincinnati started the season with high expectations that came crashing down with an early-season injury to Joe Burrow. The Bengals tried to stop the bleeding with Joe Flacco as a stopgap QB, but a leaky defense was too much to overcome as Cincy tumbled down the AFC standings.

Will Baltimore avoid overlooking a bad Bengals team with a crucial matchup looming against Pittsburgh in Week 14?

NFL Week 13 Odds: Bengals at Ravens
Spread | BAL -7.0
Moneyline | CIN +270, BAL -335
Over-Under Total | 51.5 points
Money Against the Spread | 51% BAL
Bets Against the Spread | 54% BAL
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook | Odds are subject to change

The Ravens are home favorites with a 68% chance to win on Thursday, according to ESPN Analytics.

Best Bet: Lamar Jackson 250+ Combined Yards

Jackson has a favorable matchup against the Bengals, who are allowing a league-worst 259.8 passing yards per game. The Ravens QB has passed for 726 yards and five touchdowns (against two interceptions) during Baltimore’s four-game win streak. Look for “Action Jackson” to have a strong day through the air against Cincinnati to keep the vibes high in Maryland.

NFL Week 12 Odds: Jackson 250+ Combined Yards
Jackson 200+ Combined Yards | -580
Jackson 225+ Combined Yards | -310
Jackson 250+ Combined Yards | -166
Jackson 275+ Combined Yards | +110
Jackson 300+ Combined Yards | +194
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook | Odds subject to change

Every game on the Thanksgiving Day schedule should have some impact on the final NFL standings. Be thankful for good food and good football, friends. I am extremely grateful for all of you who have taken the time to read my work here on AMNY.com .

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