3 quality matchups for Thanksgiving Day

The Vikings are now 5-0 this season when their defense ends the day with two or more sacks. Minnesota’s confidence was trending in the opposite direction with four straight losses before holding on for a 30-24 home triumph over Arizona on Sunday. The offense still isn’t fixed as it managed just 217 total yards. Minnesota ranks second in the National Football League in points allowed per game (17.6) and third in yards (306.9) surrendered per game. This club badly misses the injured Adrian Peterson, although there’s still hope he can return from his knee injury late in the regular season. We have a comfortable three-game lead over them in the NFC standings, but every little bit helps. Two weeks ago, the Lions ran for 97 yards in the overtime win at Minnesota.

The Lions are listed as 2.5 point favorites in the Thanksgiving game.

And the victor – especially if it’s Detroit – will become the immediate favorite to win the North. During that time the Lions have gotten healthier and the Vikings have moved the other direction. The Lions have trailed heading into the fourth quarter in all 10 of their games, but are remarkably 6-4 SU and ATS all the same. The Lions have won their last four consecutive home games while the Vikings are just 2-3 on the road.

Through Week 12, Detroit’s defense has surrendered 550 yards and nine touchdowns on 57 receptions to opposing tight ends, tied for the most touchdowns surrendered to the position. However, Indy has thrived as a home underdog, going 10-2 SU and 11-1 ATS in its last 12 such outings. Even if the Redskins lose a close one, they’re the clear pick against the spread.

Game recaps are from NFL Media. The Lions won in Minnesota earlier this month and can take a commanding lead in the division race with a sweep of the season series. Offensively, Minnesota has struggled.

Lions (6-4): Vikings (6-4), at Saints (4-6), Bears (2-8), at Giants (7-3), at Cowboys (9-1), Packers (4-6). He has since been released.

“Any time you have somebody catching that many balls, that’s a pretty good outing”, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said.

However, Detroit has yet to win this season when the running back gains less than 70 total yards in a game (0-3) and that may be the key to Minnesota getting a win this week.

That makes tackling, which was subpar by the Vikings in their last meeting, critical. Awful loss for Minnesota.

Caldwell and Cooter were getting questions about it on a weekly basis, and they gave the same answers they gave about Jones – the offense was created to get several receivers involved, and there would be weeks where Tate had big numbers and Jones didn’t.