NFL Thursday Week 13 preview & betting picks | Thanksgiving 2024

The NFL 2024 season rolls on this Thursday with an exciting three-game Thanksgiving slate. Here are our previews and betting picks for all three games to kick off Week 13.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Thursday, November 28 – 12:30pm EST – Ford Field, Detroit

The Chicago Bears head to Detroit for a tough matchup against the Super Bowl betting favorites at Ford Field.

The Lions are on a run of nine straight wins and sit atop the NFC. Detroit coach Dan Campbell has the highest-scoring offense in the NFL, with quarterback Jared Goff leading one of the best skill units in the league. The Lions also have the second-best defensive record in the NFL, keeping their opposition to just six points in each of the last two weeks.

For the Bears, it has been a completely different story. They have lost each of their last five games, while averaging under 15 points per game. Their defense has been a strength, but while rookie quarterback Caleb Williams adapts to the NFL, they are struggling to win games.

Top NFL sportsbooks have set the line at 10.5 points in favour of the Lions, but given their recent form, expect a blowout. Detroit have won six games by a double-digit margin already this season, and this could be a long day for the Bears defense.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Thursday, November 28 – 4:30pm EST – AT&T Stadium, Arlington

In a matchup between two struggling teams with backup quarterbacks at the helm, this is the most unpredictable game of the day.

Leading online bookmakers have the line set at 3.5 points in favour of the Cowboys, who are coming off a shock win over the Commanders last Sunday. However, in the two weeks prior with Cooper Rush under centre, they managed just 16 points combined. Defensively they have also been poor, with the second-worst record in the NFL this season.

At 2-9, the Giants sit last in the league standings, while they recently waived starting quarterback Daniel Jones. With Tommy DeVito the new starter, New York scored just seven points last week in an offense that was largely stagnant. In one positive, the rookie pair of running back Tyrone Tracy Jr and wide receiver Malik Nabers have shown excellent potential.

With both teams seemingly looking to tank for the rest of the season, it is hard to back either side with any confidence. However, the Cowboys’ star power on both sides of the ball stands out.

Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers

Thursday, November 28 – 8:20pm EST – Lambeau Field, Green Bay

In the coldest game of the season so far, the Miami Dolphins head up to Green Bay for a clash between two of the form teams in the NFL.

The Dolphins are on a run of three straight wins, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing eight touchdowns across that span. At 5-6, Miami’s season is at breaking point, as they need to win at least four of their last six games to be in contention. They have a wide range of skill players on offense, while their defense has been strong lately, conceding just 16 points per game in the last three weeks.

The Packers have also been in excellent form, losing just one of their past seven games — to the high-flying Lions. Quarterback Jordan Love leads one of the best receiving groups in the NFL, while Josh Jacobs has been excellent on the ground. At 8-3, Green Pay rank top 10 in both offense and defense.

Green Bay are three-point favorites at home against a Dolphins team that is used to the warmer weather. After smashing the 49ers by 28 points last week, the Packers should be good enough to cover the spread.

Sports betting picks