The Lions, Cowboys and 49ers are significant favorites in the NFL’s Thanksgiving action. As we prepare to gorge on football on Thursday, here are the most significant players and storylines to watch when Week 12 begins.
Green Bay Packers (4-6) at Detroit Lions (8-2) | 12:30 p.m. ET
Lions in unchartered territory: Detroit is a favorite on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2016, a 16-13 win over the Vikings, per Action Network. The Lions (8-2) are one of two teams with fewer than three losses (Eagles) and could join Philly as the league’s only other nine-win team with a fifth consecutive win over the Packers. Finally, Lions fans have something to be thankful for this holiday season.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love: An up-and-down first season as Green Bay’s starting quarterback reached another peak in a 23-20 Week 11 win against the Chargers. During his past two games, Love has 611 passing yards, his most in a two-game span since taking the reins at quarterback.
Lions defense: After ranking last in total defense (392.4 yards per game) in 2022, the Lions defense ranks No. 9 this year (313 yards per game). The unit’s improvement has been the catalyst of the team’s turnaround from a feel-good story into a legit contender.
Washington Commanders (4-7) at Dallas Cowboys (7-3) | 4:30 p.m. ET
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott: After all the blame Prescott received last season when he led the league in interceptions, it’s only right he gets the same amount of praise for his excellent rebound this year. The eight-year veteran has a career-high 70.1 completion percentage and is back to protecting the football; his interception rate (1.8 percent) is below his career rate (two percent).
Is the end near for Ron Rivera in Washington? The Commanders suffered arguably the two most embarrassing losses of the season by being swept by the lowly Giants (3-8). An ugly loss in front of a national audience could be the final push the front office needs to make a change at the top.
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb should dominate: One of four receivers in football over the 1,000-yard mark, Lamb has a favorable matchup against the only defense in the league to allow over 2,000 yards to wide receivers. Per RotoWire, no team has given up more fantasy points to wideouts than Washington this season.
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons: The No. 1 edge rusher in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings, Parsons should get a second and third serving against Commanders quarterback Sam Howell. The second-year quarterback has been sacked 51 times already this season, by far the most in the league.
San Francisco 49ers (7-3) at Seattle Seahawks (6-4) | 8:20 p.m. ET
NFC West on the line: San Francisco’s only competition in the NFC West is the Seahawks, who could move into a tie for first with a home win on Thanksgiving night. The 49ers have won the past three meetings with their division rival by an average of 15.3 points per game but are only 5-8 against Seattle with Kyle Shanahan as head coach.
Brock Purdy’s excellence: “Mr. Irrelevant” continues to amaze in his second season. In Week 11 against the Bucs, Purdy posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating after going 21-of-25 for 333 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the league with a 115.1 passer rating on the season and his 77 QBR is also best in football.
Geno Smith’s health: Smith (bruised triceps) is expected to play after briefly exiting Seattle’s 17-16 loss to the Rams in Week 11. The Seahawks struggled to generate much offense with backup Drew Lock after he was spotted with a 16-7 lead, and they need their leader at quarterback healthy to have a chance of pulling off the upset.