By Nick Stasiak – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Minnesota Vikings (-3) @ Detroit Lions
The annual Lions Thanksgiving game should be a good one. The Vikings are one of the best teams at 8-2 and the Lions are two games behind them in the division at 6-4. If the Lions want to win the division, they have to have this one. The Lions enter on a three game winning streak and after starting the season 2-2, the Vikings enter on a six game winning streak. Along with their 8-2 record, the Vikings are also good ATS, with a record of 7-3. The Lions are 5-4-1 ATS. When it comes to November, the Lions haven’t lost a game in this month since 2015. Something has to give on Thursday. In a close matchup between two good teams, taking the points at home is never a bad thing.
The pick: Lions +3
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins (-7)
Thanksgivings NFL night cap features a matchup between two underachieving NFC East rivals. After getting off to a good start, the Redskins have lost four of five and find themselves clinging to life in the playoff race. Meanwhile the Giants, who entered the season with high hopes, currently sit at 2-8. The Giants picked up their second win of the season on Sunday in an ugly 12-9 overtime win over the Chiefs. The Redskins blew a 31-16 lead to the Saints and lost in overtime. Both teams enter this game 4-6 ATS. Even with the Redskins past two losses, they have scored 30 and 31 points in those games. The Giants secondary can struggle which means the Redskins could have another 30+ performance. And lets not think the Giants turned a corner with an ugly win on Sunday. They’re still only a week removed from an ugly effort in San Francisco.
The pick: Redskins -7
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State (O/U 64)
It isn’t just the NFL playing football on Thanksgiving. There’s a big college rivalry game going on too. Both teams enter with a top 40 offense in the country. Ole Miss averages 33 points per game and Mississippi State averages 32.5 points per game. There is potential for a shootout in this one. Ole Miss’ defense is also one of the worst in the country. They rank 112th allowing 35.2 points per game. With a good offense and bad defense, Ole Miss has hit the over in their games eight times this season. But on the flip side, Mississippi State ranks 20th in defense, allowing just 19.5 points per game. Their defense is the reason they have only hit the over three times this season. Mississippi State could give you 35 points in this game, but do you trust Ole Miss to get 30?
The pick: Under 64